17:05 Haydock Park Tips — Saturday 4th April 2026

For our key selection in the 17:05 Haydock Chase, we’re looking no further than **IF NOT FOR DYLAN**. This Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore trained gelding, partnered by Alan Doyle, is an absolute standout at 1/10 and looks primed to deliver. He comes into this race in genuinely superb form, a point underscored by his commanding victory last time out – a significant trend we always prioritise in our analysis. Furthermore, his recent sequence of results reveals an undeniably improving form line, progressing from 4th to 3rd and then a decisive 1st. This upward trajectory confirms a horse who is truly hitting peak condition.

Consistency is another hallmark of If Not For Dylan; he's placed in three of his last five outings, demonstrating his reliability and class at this level. His Official Rating of 118 also marks him out as the one to beat here. While the odds reflect his strong chance, we see him as a rock-solid proposition. For those seeking an alternative angle or greater value, Major Fortune is our suggested each-way play. However, If Not For Dylan is simply superior and we expect him to win this with authority.