Haydock 1:30 Result

Zimmerman is the form pick here - his recent line -62361 shows a clear upward trajectory culminating in a win last time out, and crucially he ran just 3 days ago, suggesting the Easterby yard has him fit, sharp and ready to go again quickly - a positive angle when a stable is happy to run a horse back so fast. He races off a low weight (133lbs, OR 61) which helps in a stayers' handicap over 1m6f on heavy ground, a trip/ground combination that rewards stamina and fitness rather than pure class, and he has the tongue-tie applied which may be aiding his recent improvement. Tim Easterby is vastly experienced with big, staying types on testing ground at his local-ish tracks and his string is in form. The chief market rivals look beatable: Dream Harder is 6-6814, patchy and unproven claims of respect; Yellow Card has been off 56 days with a below-par recent effort (46498-); Gentle Warrior's form figures include a novice-frustrating 0246V7 with a visor now added, but inconsistent; Dance Time has a fair recent second but a subsequent extra-length trip test is unproven; Cascade Hall is finishing his races but hasn't gone one better than 3rd in a while. Expressionless is weighted to give away significant weight for a modest campaign. Easwrith Destiny is only lightly-raced at 3yo stepping up sharply in trip and grade against experienced, tactically-savvy older apprentices - too speculative. Zimmerman's brisk turnaround, improving form, suitable might/ground combination and low-key market price offer the best combination of solid chance and value in this apprentice handicap.