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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Chris Wright

Horse Power: Silver Samurai can win at Haydock Park

Greaneteen Haydock (Facility) Haydock Park Sandown Kitty Light Merseyside Paul Nicholls Gold

SILVER SAMURAI can win the Great Shevington Handicap (2.05pm) as Flat racing returns to Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon.

While on the final day of the jumps season POTTERMAN can win the Grade Three bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.32pm) for a second successive year.

Marco Botti’s Silver Samurai can build on his seasonal reappearance, when second at Kempton last month, and go one better on Merseyside.

The five-year-old has not win since scoring in a similar contest to this at Doncaster last June, but he remained in good form throughout the season with several decent placed efforts, particularly when runner-up to Challet in a seven-furlong handicap at York last September.

He is still 6lb higher in the handicap than his last winning mark, but with the cobwebs blown off, he can land another success ahead of previous course and distance winners Rhoscolyn and Boardman.

At Sandown Alan King’s Potterman – who won the feature of the final day in the stewards’ room 12 months ago – can be first past the post this time to land a second victory.

The nine-year-old was second behind Enrilo with Kitty’s Light third initially in the 3m4f contest last year. But after Enrilo hung badly left and hampered Kitty’s Light, Potterman gained the spoils. All three are back at Sandown for more and while Potterman may have been a little fortunate to triumph, the nine-year-old can come out on top for real this time.

Despite being pulled up three times this season, he was back to form to land a four-runner handicap last time at Kelso. That should have him spot-on for his return the Esher track and off just 2lb more in the handicap Potterman can triumph ahead of chiefly the Dan Skelton-trained hat-trick-seeking Flegmatik and in-form Scottish Grand National hero Win My Wings.

Back at Haydock Ed Walker’s ZULU TRACKER can win the Great Haigh Handicap (3.15pm).

Walker won this with a similar type in Alabama Boy last year and Zulu Tracker may also score on his handicap debut following three runs, including being runner-up at Salisbury last September, last season.

The Tim Easterby-trained CRUYFF TURN was very successful last season and the five-year-old can make a winning return in the Lathom Handicap (3.45pm).

The gelded son of Dutch Art won four of his eight starts last year and although he was beaten on his final run over course and distance in September, he can resume his progress with another victory on his seasonal return as he did at Redcar 12 months ago.

Iain Jardine’s AFTER JOHN was second on his seasonal return at Thirsk last month and can go one better in the Great Standish Handicap (1.30pm).

John and Thady Gosden have two entered in the Pendleton EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (2.40pm), with newcomer Wonderful Times and Frankel filly NASHWA.

It’s the latter, who was third on her racecourse debut at Newmarket in October, who may come out on top.

Others who can score on Merseyside are NEW COMEDY, from the in-form Godolphin stable of Charlie Appleby, in the Red Rock Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (1pm) and the Chris Wall-trained course and distance winner GLEN ESK in the Giants Hall Handicap (4.20pm).

Back at Sandown on the final day of the jumps season GREANETEEN can win the Grade One bet365 Celebration Chase (GBB Race) (3pm) for a second successive season.

Paul Nicholls’ eight-year-old has won two and finished second in three starts over course and distance at Sandown, including beating the mighty Altior in this race last year.

He also won the Tingle Creek in September with his main rival on Saturday afternoon, Nube Negra, well beaten.

Greaneteen has been beaten twice since, but back at a track he seems to thrive on he can land another Grade One victory.

It could be a good afternoon for Nicholls as he will be crowned champion Jumps trainer for a 13th time. He has big chances of more glory throughout the day and SAINT CALVADOS can land the Grade Two bet365 Oaksey Chase (For The Menorah Challenge Trophy) (GBB Race) (2.25pm).

The nine-year-old had no answer to the dual Melling Chase hero Fakir D’Oudairies at the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse when fifth last time out.

But dropped down in grade and with just three rivals, he can triumph.

Ditcheat stable-mate SCARAMANGA, who won a handicap hurdle on this day last year, may score again, on his first start in almost a year, in the Grade Two bet365 Select Hurdle (GBB Race) (4.07pm).

Merseyside-born trainer Donald McCain can also cap a fine season with a victory in the opener, the bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.50pm) with RED VISION.

The seven-year-old can bring up a hat-trick in the two-mile contest following successes at Bangor and Sedgefield.

Others who may win at Sandown are the Fergal O’Brien-trained BRIEF AMBITION – who is bidding for a four-timer – in the bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (4.40pm) and Charlie Longsdon’s Beyond The Clouds in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (5.15pm).

At Ripon Tim Easterby’s AVA GO JOE can triumph in the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4pm).