One meeting today at Haydock where there is one selection.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +11.64

Haydock 4.00 1/2PT E/W Dammam @7/1 Various 3rd (11/4F)

I wasn’t going to put up a selection today but I see that Dammam has been backed overnight for this 3mile handicap chase. This was a selection a couple of weeks ago at Cheltenham but ended up being a non runner.  Dammam is a horse who I saw running at Stratford in the novice hunter chase final in May. Having won his previous hunter chase at Cheltenham he was well backed that night but the tight Stratford track clearly didn’t suit him and was under pressure and struggling with over a circuit to go. To his credit he battled really well and ending up running on again to take third. The only doubt I have today is that because of all the course changes over the past few years 3 miles around Haydock is no longer as stiff a test as it used to be, but given Dammam has been backed, the Fergal O’Brien stable are starting to have winners and at the price I am willing to take a chance. Heavily backed from 10/1 overnight but as I thought the 3 miles around Haydock is no longer a stiff test and he was outpaced with over a circuit to go but stayed on but could never get to the all the way winner.