BAILEY BACK ON BEVERLEY BEAT WITH BIZARRE

Trainer Liam Bailey insists How Bizarre has what it takes to once again trouble the judge at Beverley on Tuesday.

The rookie North Yorkshire handler is not yet a household name, but he made a grand entrance at the East Yorkshire circuit following How Bizarre’s impressive course-and-distance victory on July 16.

Leyburn-based Bailey spent his formative years with Gold Cup-winning handler Peter Beaumont before joining David O’Meara’s operation.

Based at Foulrice Park, in Middleham, he is in his first season with a licence and has claimed three winners under both codes.

And How Bizarre, a four-year-old son of Society Rock, looked so good at Beverley earlier in the month that his trainer wants another go in the Wilford Watts Memorial Handicap (4.20) over eight and a half furlongs. 

Bailey said: “He loves racing – it’s as simple as that, really.

“We don’t do anything with him at home, other than put him in a field and take him out on a night, and he seems to really enjoy that routine.

“He was a really nice winner at Beverley and clearly he likes running at the course.

“Fingers crossed he’ll go well again as he might still be on the right side of the handicapper.”

How Bizarre won by a short head at Beverley, but the manner in which he battled back to deny Welcoming provided connections with plenty of optimism for the future.

He has since held his form with honour, having finished a close second to Northernpowerhouse in a seven-furlong handicap at Musselburgh a week ago.

How Bizarre faces seven rivals in the eight-and-a-half-furlong Wilford Watts Memorial Handicap, including the hat-trick-seeking Seductive Moment and enigmatic course winner Detachment.

But Bailey is confident that his inmate has plenty in his favour upon his return to Beverley.

He added: “He likes to get to the front in his race, so a place like Beverley seems to suit him.

“When we bought him from Kevin Ryan, Kevin told us exactly what to do with him – run him at right-handed tracks and let him stride along – and he was absolutely spot-on.

“I thought he even upped that Beverley win at Musselburgh, which was a really grand effort, and he seems to have come out of that really well.

“Seven (furlongs) at Musselburgh is probably his best trip, but we go up in trip every now and again and it seems to work.

“He’ll probably be the quickest horse in the field on Tuesday so hopefully he can to the front again.

“Jonathan (Fisher) rode a winner for me at York earlier in the season and he takes off 7lb again, so will be handy.

“He’s in great form and we’re expecting another big run.”

Beverley’s seven-race card starts at 2.05pm, with the going reported as good following weekend rain.

The forecast on Tuesday is for sunny spells, a chance of thunder, and a high of 22C.