Dave Massey is back with his latest Weekend Preview, looking at Saturday cards from Haydock and Musselburgh. Read his latest kwiff preview here.
Dave Massey Weekend Preview: April 2nd 2026
Last year’s winner Persuasion (1.55) is following pretty much the same pattern as last year, namely a run on the all-weather to grease the gears before coming here, and I’d argue this year’s warm-up effort was a lot more promising than last year’s last-of-seven run at Southwell, so there’s plenty to like about his chances of following up from a pound lower this time around.
Weekend Preview: Persuasion (Musselburgh, 1.55)
Always prominent with Gweedore (also in again here) last year, he nosed ahead at the furlong pole and never looked like relinquishing the lead once he had it, going on to win by ¾l. The ground should be fine for him, and the booking of Saffie Osborne catches the eye too.
Weekend Preview: Jer Batt (Musselburgh, 3.42)
It could be a good day for the Barrons and Saffie O, as Jer Batt (3.42) holds solid claims in the Sprint Cup at 3:42 too. This is Jer Batt’s first start of the season, but catching him fresh is no bad thing, as a record of 143 when he’s had a break of 100 days or more demonstrates.
That third was in this race last year when he was beaten just a length by American Affair; given the exploits of the winner afterwards, successful at Group 1 level at Royal Ascot not long after, that has to rate a pretty good effort. He starts this season off having had wind surgery too, and starts this season off 7lb lower than last year, too. Some speedy types drawn to his left in Democracy Dilemma and Heavenly Heather to drag him into this, and all in all, a solid chance of going two better than last year.
Weekend Preview: Buchephalus (Haydock, 2.12)
I was thinking that Neil Mulholland’s Buchephalus (2.12) had enough on his plate, having been raised 5lb for his easy Newton Abbot win, but in fairness to him, he had already run to a similar level when second here at the end of December, a run that qualified him for this, and maybe he’s capable of defying the weight rise.
On top of which, despite this being quite a big field, he might not face much competition for the lead he seems to want, with only We’re red And Blue likely to go forward with him, if at all. He’ll be ignored in the betting, but that just means we should be getting a better price on the day. The drying ground is ideal, pilot Harriet Tucker gets on well with him, and he has a better chance than first appears.
Weekend Preview: Secret Tix (Haydock, 2.46)
This, unsurprisingly, looks very competitive but there are some clues that indicate this might be the time to jump aboard Secret Trix, who bounced back to form after a rather lacklustre winter hurdles campaign, that in turn off the back of a somewhat laboured and short-lived go at novice chasing.
All of that means he’s 12lb lower than he was this time last year, and it was a much better effort at Market Rasen last time, staying on well for second under a 7lb claimer yet to ride a winner. He’s replaced by Lewis Saunders today, who continues to be fair value for his 5lb, and the reintroduction of some headgear seems to be another pointer, his last four hurdles wins all coming with some cheekpieces on.
He’s also had wind surgery, a positive when looking at Olly Murphy runners, and call it coincidence, whatever, but the last three to have wind surgery and be ridden by Saunders on their next start have finished 211. Drying ground won’t be any problem, and with the handicapper giving the 9yo a chance, he should represent some value against those with more obvious chances.
By Dave Massey
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