Keplars Law a potential star at Haydock

Linda Morgan’s runners were slightly disappointing at her local track at Leicester on Thursday. The chasers were let down by jumping errors.

However all eyes will be on the return of the stable star Keplars Law who heads to Haydock Park on Saturday looking to establish himself as a high rated graded hurdler, before moving onto the larger obstacles next season, when he is expected to be a top notcher.

Victory on Saturday will set him up for a trip to Aintree for what is more than likely to be his final outing over hurdles.

There are two or three useful opponents that take him on – and on ratings he has about 6lb to find with the likely market leaders Derryhassen Paddy and Moon Rocket. However, his performance at Leicester when he won without coming off the bridle by 30L from the Olly Murphy trained Barlovento indicated that he has plenty of improvement in the tank.

Today’s favourite Derryhassen Paddy was possibly a fortunate winner at Windsor and the form at the track is looking highly unreliable. His first time out win at Uttoxeter also lacks depth. He is another that will be better jumping a fence but he looks flattered by his two wins and I will be surprised if he has the talent to deal with Keplars Law, especially having to give him 3lb.

The form of Moon Rocket is open to question. He went down by a nose to the 126 rated Yellow Car in the River Don at Doncaster. Based on their running with the 130 rated third placed Ma Shantou both have been raised to 134. I thought Moon Rocket threw that race away and Ma Shantou got caught out by his rider holding him up to get the trip. If Moon Rocket is a soft finisher this track will catch him out.

Another taking high position in the market will be Olly Murphys Roaring Conquest but his Lingfield win achieved against horses rated below 100 and his 4th in the race won by Derryhassen Paddy suggests he is a 120 horse at best.

The Irish send two over, with neither looking to be in anywhere good enough form to pose a threat.

A overall look at the form of Keplars Law suggests he should be clear favourite for the race.

On his first two outings Keplars Law was given educational runs, firstly sent off at 40/1 at Aintree he was 8L back in 3rd behind Mister Meggit who was talked about as a leading contender for the Turners Novice Hurdle at the Festival, before being injured and 4L behind the now 120 rated On the Jury.

He then ran behind a top form Hijack Skyjack and Zanndabad. Chasing the runner away leader before being outpaced.

The latest outing when he smashed Barlovento has been under-estimated, whilst the 30L margin flatters Keplers Law he won without coming out of a canter and it bears the closest inspection.

In his previous race Barlovento split Ma Shantou and Rubber Ball who has since won two races including a grade 3 novice hurdle at Newbury defeating the 120+ rated Tutti Quantti and Keinztheim

The bare reading of that form a would give Linda Morgan’s stable star a clear advantage over the main rivals he faces on Saturday.

Connections after the race suggested that he will be even better suited to better ground and his reappearance at Haydock is eagerly awaited.

I think he will be an each way price, around 5/1 is forecast, but as its his first run at Haydock and as some horses just don’t act on the track I will go 1pt win only – even though i am very confident about his chances.

1pt win Keplars Law 3.50 Haydock