11/1 Activate can score under Spencer
Activate looked a handicapper to keep on the right side when scoring on his seasonal reappearance and looks worth a punt at 11/1 in the 2.30 at Haydock.
Michael Bell’s gelding was a progressive sort last season, rounding of his campaign with back to back victories.
He carried on his winning run when scoring in good style over 2m at this track back in May, where he showed a good turn of foot to beat Kayef by 1/2 a length of a mark of 91.
That win saw him sent off a heavily backed 7/1 shot for the Northumberland Plate, but he couldn’t ever get competitive from a wide draw and a line can easily be put through that run.
He then looked to have a great chance on his latest start at Goodwood, but once again was dogged by bad luck and got brought down five out before the race began to unfold.
He certainly deserves a change of luck, and providing the fall hasn’t left it’s mark he is certainly capable of landing this from his current mark of 96.
Other pluses arethyat he has won two of his three starts at the track – including over today’s course and distance – has his ideal ground conditions and Jamie Spencer in the saddle.
Everything looks in place for a huge run, and with bookmakers paying 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4 the 11/1 on offer makes plenty of appeal.
Recommended bet: 2pts each-way Activate (11/1 bet365, Boylesports – BOG, Stan James)
Cash-in on Cheveton at 12/1
Cheveton comes to life at this time of the year and having dropped to a winning mark is of serious interest at 12/1 in the 3.00 at Haydock.
Richard Price’s gelding won this in 2009 and last year landed the Ayr Bronze Cup off a mark of 85 before following up under a 7lb penalty in an ultra competitive event over today’s course and distance where he beat Hoof It by a short-head.
He was receiving only 2lb from Mick Easterby’s gelding that day and showed tremendous guts to get up on the line after losing ground at the start.
The seven-year-old then finished a fine fourth to that rival at Doncaster off a mark of 97, and although he has failed to score this season his handicap mark has plummeted as a result.
He is now back down to a mark of 87, and that gives him a huge chance from a handicapping perspective.
Given that he traditionally peaks from September onwards, it would be no surprise to see him bounce back to form this afternoon.
At 12/1 he looks to big to ignore.
Recommended bet: 2pts each-way Cheveton (12/1 Victor Chandler – BOG)