Creek out to build on Becher run

CHARLIE Longsdon feels today’s Blue Square I-Card Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock represents the perfect opportunity for Palypso De Creek to open his account over fences in Britain.

The French recruit bolted up on his first start for current connections in a hurdle race at Towcester, and was certainly not disgraced when finishing fourth in the Becher Chase at Aintree over the giant fences.

Longsdon is slightly surprised the assessor has been generous enough to drop him a few pounds following such a solid effort and hopes he can make the most of it on Merseyside.

“He came out of the Becher in very good form and has schooled nicely back over the regulation fences since,” said Longsdon.

“The trip and the ground should be absolutely fine for him.

“He’s been running over three miles for most of his life and although the ground is going to be very testing, he has handled it fine in the past.”