Boardman

Boardman showed a smart turn of foot to get up and win the seven-furlong handicap at Haydock on Saturday. Held up early on by David Allan, he was only eighth of the 10 runners as they straightened up for home. His rider bided his time early in the home straight, he was still on the bridle in behind horses on the run to the two-furlong marker as his main market rival Alrehb set sail for home. It took him a few strides to pick up but, when he did, he picked up nicely and, wheeled towards the outside, he came late and fast to get up and nab Alrehb close home, going on to win by a cosy half-length.

Boardman is six now, and this was his 23rd race, but he proved here that he retains lots of ability. The handicapper raised him by just 2lb for that, which was more than fair. It leaves him on a mark of 92, which is still 4lb lower than his peak. He won at York’s Dante meeting last year after winning at Haydock, and after starting off his season at Redcar, and he has followed a similar path this season so far, so it wouldn’t be surprising if York’s Dante meeting was on his agenda again. In the meantime, he holds an entry in a seven-and-a-half-furlong handicap on Friday at Chester, a course and distance over which he has won before, and he will be of interest if he takes his chance in that.
Haydock, 23^rd April 2022