Haydock Park Tips: Go Loco with Lobo on Thursday

Of the seven meetings across the UK & Ireland on Thursday, it's the flat card at Haydock - which runs from 14:10-16:45 - that's the focus of my attention.

I've picked out a trio of Haydock Park tips, including a hat-trick seeker in the final race of the afternoon.

14:40 - Loco Lobo @ 10/1

It’s not often you see a six-year-old sprinter who has run only seven times, but that's the case for LOCO LOBO who is capable of scoring a second course win.

The Lisa Williamson-trained mare caused a 66-1 surprise when scoring over course and distance last July, but she finished last of 11 on the all-weather at Wolverhampton next time.

That meant she went off at 50-1 for her seasonal reappearance at this course in April, but she ran a huge race to finish only four and a quarter lengths behind in fourth over 6f.

She showed loads of speed that day and was still in front inside the final furlong. It was only from that point she lost three places and that was clear evidence she retains her ability.

The form has worked out remarkably well, with the second, fifth and ninth all subsequent scorers, and Loco Lobo would have been a tidy winner had that race been over 5f.

She drops back to that trip here, the same distance as for her last win, and has a good record when fresh, so the 68-day absence is no concern. There is every chance she can run a big race from 3lb out of the weights under Isobelle Chalmers, who claims 7lbs.

Today's Horse Races

15:40 - Tiriac @ 5/2

There are always strong sprint handicaps at York in the spring and TIRIAC is unlucky not to have won two of them as he found loads of trouble in running when third there last time.

The four-year-old followed his win at Windsor in May with a narrow defeat of Holkham Bay on the Knavesmire later that month and there is every chance he would have completed a hat-trick by beating the same rival again at that track last time with a clear run.

Tiriac was travelling better than most but couldn’t get out at a crucial stage, and when the run did come it was too late. He flew home to be nearest at the finish but was beaten a length and a quarter by his old rival Holkham Bay.

The handicapper has put Tiriac up 1lb in the weights, but he showed last time he is capable of winning off this sort of rating and this looks like a weaker race. It will be disappointing if he can’t regain the winning thread, especially if the ground eases further.

16:45 - Kode Secret @ 9/4

This looks like a good opportunity for KODE SECRET to make it three wins on the spin ahead of Smouldering, who is the main danger.

Smouldering is a promising performer for the Clive Cox yard who has a good record at Haydock, but the three-year-old has no form on turf and Kode Secret looks the more solid option.

The Tim Easterby-trained gelding has looked strong at the finish on his way to back-to-back wins at Carlisle and Redcar. He is also versatile with regards to ground, having won on good to firm and soft conditions. The forecast rain therefore shouldn’t be a problem.

He is up 6lb for his latest win, but the runner-up has franked the form by scoring since and Kode Secret is due to go up another 2lbs in the future. He is still ahead of the handicapper.

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