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Scoop 6 first leg preview

I regularly tell my writers that penning a preview is a great way to collect your thoughts and analyse a race more effectively. So about time I practised what I preach again... here's the first leg in the £15m Scoop6 tomorrow.

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Haydock 2.05

Barkston Ash

Looked to be labouring in the pack then kicked on to win clearly. Goes from C3 0-90 to C3 75-90, up 8lb but no issue lumping big weights. Flying of late, but rotten record here, one placing from seven starts.

Out Do

Two wins off 81, has been thereabouts in five runs off 91 without winning. Squeezed up when making his run last time at York, perhaps disadvantaged by low draw there. Gets the 'right' side this time. Third run in quick succession for new stable, must be a chance here.

Polski Max

Ignore if dry, start taking a closer look if the track comes up soft. Jockey 0/24 this season.

Discussiontofollow

Yet to win on turf, but at the same time, yet to miss a place in six starts on any surface. Appeared to have every chance last time at Windsor when went off favourite. Drawn the right side, is he as good on turf?

Bear Behind

Run of 10L defeats broken by a Thirsk selling handicap win last start. Drops to 88 off a best of 104, but still can't get excited about this one.

Gabbiano

Bad traveller or just poorly placed when travelling north? Loves Ascot and Kempton, hasn't performed north of the midlands in the past. Fitness petered out last time at Ascot, could improve with a senior jockey taking over.

Muthmir

Lightly raced, nine months off the track, but trainer in great form. Disappointed last time out, was it the soft track or he needed a spell? Drawn on the far side which might be an issue.

Grissom

Veteran running consistently in the mid 80s. Drawn 'wrong' side of track and best results on wet tracks. Take a look again in the morning.

Shore Step

Course and distance winner and has also won in a large field. Finished alongside Gabbiano in his seasonal debut at Ascot recently. Jockey rode a double for Mick Channon last week.

Trader Jack

This will be his fifth run in May, last week at Newbury arguably his best of this campaign from 2lb out of the handicap. Ryan Moore climbs aboard BUT has only won once from 25 starts. Fast track to the poor house backing horses like this!

Baby Strange

Comes up well on the ATR Formscan figures but is now 10 and has won only twice in three years and 40-odd starts. Can't have.

Al Mukhdam

Disappointing in two runs this season when well supported for new trainer Ed de Giles. Trainer's form has turned around sharply since last defeat though, winning seven races with his last 18 runners so it's worth giving him a chance as he continues to work this horse out. First-up run at Leicester has proven quite strong but it seems a little odd he is back to 6f for the first time.

Cruise Tothelimit

Multiple winner here and has the wonderkid Oisin Murphy on board. Well beaten at Ascot last time but was unfancied at 40/1. Drops in rating and grade here, won't mind it wet, not the worst.

Run With Pride Class 5 maiden winner on debut, pitched into a much tougher task here. Was 33/1 that day, so why are we suddenly being asked to take 8/1 in a much stronger grade?

Go Far

Non-winner on turf from five starts, three from 18 on AW, but rated very similar. Has only ever run on Good-Firm ground on the grass, guesswork about how he'll handle a bit of rain. Decent run at Newmarket, leading a small group down the middle and drops in class here. Not the worst, especially with 5lb claimer aboard who has a 14% strike rate on turf. Might just be underestimated here.

Upavon

2lb out of the handicap and yet to be placed on turf from four starts. Rated 14lb higher on AW, showed little last time at Lingfield. Not likely.

Selections:
Go Far and Shore Step will give a decent run for your money at good odds.

Likely inclusions in Scoop6 perms

At least one of my perms will have the field in this leg. It's clearly the hardest of the day. First ones I'd start dropping out would be - Upavon, Baby Strange, Trader Jack, Bear Behind, Run With Pride, Polski Max, Discussiontofollow....

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