Classic Maestro to call the tune at Haydock

Classic Maestro is making hay whilst the sun is shining this season and after finishing 5th on his come back run in November has won 3 races in a row, 2 in handicap hurdles and most recently over this very track and distance in a 2-runner chase race. He was fully expected to win that day but did so with the minimum of fuss. Classic Maestro's 2 hurdles win now put him on a mark of 134 in that sphere, yet having had only 2 starts over fences he is rated 129 as a chaser, so could potentially be well handicapped. He is a horse that handles heavy ground really well and could easily blast out and make all the running. Classic Maestro rates a 4 star win Pick.

Galassian is a lightly raced sort having had only 4 rules starts and 3 point-to-point starts at the age of 7. However he looked like making up for lost time when winning a maiden hurdles at Bangor last time out, staying on strongly to beat a fair unexposed type into 2nd. Connections have wasted no time in sending him over fences after that run and coming from a point-to-point background he should improve a great deal for the lager obstacles and also the extra distance he encounters today. With the stable in good form at the moment it bodes well for a big run. Galassian rates a 4 star win Pick.