Haydock preview: Alejandro to cash-in on class drop

Alejandro can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 7f handicap on today’s card at Haydock (16.10) now eased in grade.

Trained by David O’Meara, the gelding has won seven of his 46 starts on the turf, and showed a good attitude to dig deep and beat Alfred Hutchinson in the last of those 16 months in a class 2 contest at York off a mark of 94.

The six-year-old also ran well on seasonal reappearance in a similar grade affair when fourth of 13 to Emell over course and distance off 96, and is now able top race off 88.

That is 6lb lower than when last successful and gives Alejandro outstanding claims at the weights.

Alejandro also comes into the contest on the back of a really solid effort at Doncaster when a 2 1/4 length fifth of 16 to Farlow in a competitive class 2 affair, and now drops significantly in grade into class 4 company.

The son of Dark Angel is also versatile as regards ground, and with Phil Makin in the saddle this looks a golden opportunity for Alejandro to get back on the winning trail.

In the 1m 2f handicap (16.40), Mistiroc looks to have plenty going for him.

The Jim Goldie trained gelding was last successful in this contest 12 months ago when gamely beating Enobled by a short-head off a mark of 82.

Mistiroc went on to post solid efforts in a brace of class 2 handicaps, finishing when fifth at Ayr off 90 and a cracking sixth of 24 to Farquhar at Newmarket off 89.

The four-year-old’s form has been hit and miss this season, but Mistiroc ran well when runner-up at York back in June off 88 and was also far from disgraced at the same venue last time out when ninth of 17 in a decent class 2 contest.