Haydock Preview: Red fancied for Runaway success

Haydock stage a competitive six-race card this evening, and Red Runaway looks capable of defying top-weight in the 1m 2f contest that closes proceedings (8.00).

The Ed Dunlop trained gelding showed improved in the early part of last year to win back-to-back handicaps at Leicester and Chester.

In the last of those successes, the son of Medicean beat the now 95-rated Van Percy by 1/2 a length in a class 2 contest, and gets into this class 4 race off just 2lb higher.

Red Runaway also looked as good as ever when winning a 1m 2f handicap at Lingfield on his seasonal reappearance and, although beaten in two subsequent starts, those runs have come over longer trips of 1m 4f and 1m 7f.

The drop back to 1m 2f looks sure to suit and, with Jamie Spencer in the saddle, Red Runaway looks weighted to take all the beating on a track which should play to his strengths.

Aldreth ran really well to finish runner-up last time out and, with blinkers fitted for the first time, holds solid claims of going one better in the 1m 2f handicap (6.40).

This gelding showed little in four maiden runs last season but, like many Mick Easterby trained horses, has shown a marked improvement since being sent handicapping.

The son of Champs Elysees went down by just 1 1/2 lengths to Tower Power at Ripon nine days ago, where he attempted to make all the running and battled on tenaciously until being unable to find any extra inside the final furlong.

Aldreth was idling in front and only doing what was required, and the fitting of blinkers could well sharpen up the three-year-old an enable him to open his account at the ninth time of asking.

Regiment put in a solid effort when narrowly beaten over course and distance 19 days ago, and looks to have a great chance of getting back to winning ways in the 7f handicap (7.40).

The Richard Fahey trained gelding got beat by a neck by an unexposed and highly promising sort in You’re Fired, and the pair pulled 3 1/4 lengths clear of the third.

That gives the form a solid look, and a repeat of that effort is going to make Regiment a tough nut to crack.