HAYDOCK PARK 15:10

Non Runners: KNOCK A HAND (IRE). Fences: 18.

Time: 6m 15.8s Closing Sectional: (2.85f): 45.1s (98.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 100%

Virak and Algernon Pazham are both novices with scope for improvement and they were split here by the thriving Carrigdhoun, so there's reason to view the form fairly positively; the pace seemed fair but the first 3 were always prominent.

VIRAK (FR) was strong in the betting after 7 weeks off and bounced back to form, improving a little in fact to make a winning handicap chase debut, simply in a different class to these rivals; tracked pace, travelled strongly, close up and still going well when left in front 2 out, hung left run-in, driven out; he's only 6 and there could be even more to come from him with this effectively his first season as a chaser.

CARRIGDHOUN (IRE) has returned from his absence in cracking form, running at least as well here as when making a successful reappearance at this course last month, 6 lb higher in the weights this time and in a better-quality contest; disputed lead, ridden after 5 out, stuck to task without being a match for winner.

ALGERNON PAZHAM (IRE) could be excused his last run (exhausted when refusing) and wasted no time getting back on track, shaping second best, and there are more handicaps to be won with him; disputed lead, travelled well, still just ahead when bad mistake 2 out, headed there, one paced after.

NO PLANNING who won this race last year, turned in his best effort of the season, certainly over fences, and perhaps deserves a little extra credit for faring best of those held up; patiently ridden, headway under pressure twelfth, chased leaders 5 out, not fluent 4 out, kept on.

BABY SHINE (IRE) wasn't at her very best but ran respectably and has generally held her form well this season; mid-division, pushed along halfway, chased leaders 5 out, one paced from 3 out; the handicapper is giving her more of a chance now.

ASTIGOS (FR) was back up in trip after shaping as if further would suit last time but ran one of lesser races, just not on a going day; held up, crept closer halfway, shaken up 5 out, mistake next, weakened; he still has only 1 win to his name.

FIREBIRD FLYER (IRE) ran below form, let down by his jumping as is so often the case; tracked pace, not jump well, remained prominent until 2 out but faltered from there and finished tired as errors took their toll.

SYDNEY PAGET (IRE) must have had a problem and was well held after 13 months off; chased leaders, raced lazily, lost place sixth, beaten long way out; he has something to prove for now.

HADA MEN (USA) took a heavy fall at the first fence and, despite a couple of placed efforts, he's hardly convinced that he's cut out for chasing.

KING OF THE WOLDS (IRE) failed to complete but wasn't on a going day, anyway; mid-division, struggling after fourteenth, fell 4 out, would have finished well beaten.

PANTXOA (FR) was well held after 5 months off; tracked pace, mistake twelfth, struggling soon after, pulled up before 4 out.

GRANDADS HORSE turned in a lacklustre display; raced off the pace, went with little fluency, made no impression.