Haydock preview: Mud-loving Rigadin ready to rock

David Metcalf | December 30, 2015

Rigadin De Beauchene will relish the testing conditions at Haydock today, and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to get back to winning ways in the 3m 3f handicap chase (14.00).

The Venetia Williams trained gelding is a dour stayer who is at his best when the mud is flying, and was last successful at the track in February 2014 when ploughing through bottonless ground to easily beat Emperor’s Choice by 10 lengths off a mark of 131.

Rigadin De Beauchene got put up to 147 for that victory and has failed to trouble the judge in seven subsequent outings.

However, that has resulted in the handicapper cutting him some slack and the 10-year-old is now able to race off just 127.

That is 4lb lower than when last successful and gives Rigadin De Beauchene major claims from a handicapping perspective.

The son of Visionary also comes into the contest on the back of two highly promising efforts and, with those runs under his belt, Rigadin De Beauchene should now be spot on to do himself justice.

Vintage Clouds can unroll for punters

In the 2m novices’ hurdle (13.25), Vintage Clouds holds outstanding claims of making it 2-2 over the obstacles.