3.35 Haydock Renard. The handicapper has taken his time to relent on Renard since putting him up to 144 for winning a class 2 handicap chase over 19 furlongs on heavy going at Chepstow last December. He has put in some sound efforts in defeat since then, including a fine 3rd in the Grimthorpe Chase and 9th behind Holywell at the festival. On both occaisions he would have found the ground plenty lively enough and today's conditions will suit him much better. He is dropped to 137 today, just 2lbs above his last winning mark, Venetia's stable is in good form at the moment and he had a nice pipe-opener at Stratford 3 weeks ago to ensure he is cherry ripe for this. 7/1 with most firms, tenner e/w at B.O.G.