Buck’s the pattern to beat the bookies at Haydock – Jason Heavey’s Thursday horse racing ideas

The Daily Star’s Chief Tipster Jason Heavey reckons a J P McManus-owned chaser is the one to back at Haydock on Thursday

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WAL BUCK’S (2.45, trb) is tipped to stay the course in the Tim Molony Handicap Chase at Haydock Park on Thursday.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old, trained in tandem by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, was last seen making exceptionally short work of a Kelso handicap over three and a quarter miles last month.

On heavy ground, only three horses finished and he was 34 lengths ahead of the runner-up, with the handicapper only giving him a 4lb rise due to the nature of the race.

This extra two furlongs will not hinder him as he posted an encouraging run over an even longer distance earlier in the term.

And while he might prefer the ground to be a bit softer today, in his current form he gets the vote.

At Wincanton, the Women Investors Network Handicap Chase looks a perfect opportunity for BALLYMACKIE (4.15, nb) to complete an impressive hat-trick.

This dual-winning Irish pointer is a chaser very much on the up.

The charge of Olly Murphy left previous poor form behind when landing a gamble at Leicester on his yard debut in December after a year off.

And he then improved again when defying an 8lb rise at Ayr last month in a manner suggesting a third straight win surely beckons.

Earlier at the Somerset track, Tom Symonds’ LADY MAGIC (2.07) can strike in the Women Investors Network Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

The five-year-old is in the early days of her British career having run five times in France for former connections, winning twice in bumper contests.

She made her hurdling debut at Hereford in January and was fifth of 14, a valuable experience that evidently served her well next time out at Kempton.

There she won a two-mile maiden in good style and though the win has earned her a penalty, she looks to be a useful mare who should be able to get her head in front regardless.

The top selection on Thursday can be found at Lingfield Park where MONTU (4.00, nap) is fancied to get off the mark in the BetMGM Supports Safer Gambling Handicap.

The son of Without Parole improved from a promising handicap debut when second of nine at Wolverhampton 10 days ago.

And this lightly raced gelding, trained by Jack Jones, can go one better with a slightly longer trip expected to suit.

Thursday tips

HAYDOCK

1.45 Ruby Island

2.15 Solid Performer

2.45 Wal Buck’s (trb)

3.15 Is This For Real

3.50 Heather Honey

4.25 Berkenshtaaap

5.00 Locker Boum

WINCANTON

1.37 Springtime Legend

2.07 Lady Magic

2.37 Touquet

3.07 Frank Stamper

3.40 Bataillon

4.15 Ballymackie (nb)

4.45 Sixfourgold

LINGFIELD

1.53 Poetic Force

2.23 Al Maslool

2.53 Beaumadier

3.25 Toolatetonegotiate

4.00 Montu (nap)

4.33 Danehill Star

5.08 Eutropia

NEWCASTLE

4.55 Bintkend

5.30 Marra Donna

6.00 Billecart

6.30 Doctor Khan Junior

7.00 Dream Forever

7.30 Our Absent Friends

8.00 Woodrafff

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