14:40 Haydock

Saturday 15 April 2017

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:5517:30

Challenger Staying Chase Series Final Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 6m 12.9s

Rathlin Rose^b³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 134

7/1

The winner of amateur riders events at Sandown on his last two starts, he returns to open handicap company. Up 6lb for those successes, he has a sound chance despite being lumbered with top weight. Entered in the Scottish National and Bet365 Gold Cup.

Form: 21163/1-

Willoughby Hedge^b1³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 132

25/1

Has a hit-and-miss profile, but is useful on his day and is not lightly dismissed. He is 8lb higher than when winning on his penultimate start at Sandown, however, and may be in the grip of the handicapper.

Form: 11/F21-P

Moss On The Mill^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 131

16/1

Produced a career-best display to win at Wincanton last time and is up another 8lb. The weight rise looks harsh and there are others who make more appeal in a competitive handicap.

Form: 212615

Fingerontheswitch^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 131

10/1

Found it tough when competing at Grade 3 level at Kempton in February, and was a well-beaten runner-up at Fakenham last time. Had been progressive before those runs, but does looks handicapped to the hilt.

Form: 371725

Behind The Wire⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 130

7/1

Ex point-to-pointer who has been in fine form of late, winning two of his last three starts and showing a good attitude when making all to win well at Newbury last month. Steps out of novice company, but is a sound jumper who stays well. One for the short list.

Form: 16944-7

Adam du Breteau^b²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: W T Kennedy| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129

25/1

Winner of three of his nine starts, but is not the most consistent of performers and will need to put his best foot forward to figure. Won at Fontwell in December and Huntingdon in October, though, so he knows where the winning post is when in the mood.

Form: 15173P-

Shanroe Santos^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 129

15/2

Survived jumping errors to win at Warwick in February, but was more fluent and justified favouritism at Sandown last month. Very much on the upgrade, only 3lb higher than last time and looks the one to beat in his current mood.

Form: 110P/5F

Monbeg Gold^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128

7/1

Useful hurdler who is yet to show the same level of form over fences. Stayed on when it was all too late at Kempton last time and the extra half mile is likely to suit. Needs to up his game, however.

Form: 8/28554-

Bob Tucker^p¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 128

14/1

Ran his best race for some time when a narrow runner-up in a veterans' handicap chase at Ascot on his last outing. A 5lb rise looks stiff, though, and he will need to have come on again to be winning.

Form: 44572P-

Fort Worth⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128

17/2

Boasts a half-length verdict over Behind The Wire at Doncaster in January and is 4lb better off. Ran well again when a close second at Taunton last month and is one of the leading contenders in a tight handicap.

Form: 3U212P-

Muckle Roe¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 119

20/1

Consistent chaser who has been out of the frame only five times in 14 starts over fences. His last success came on New Year's Eve at Warwick off 9lb lower, so he has plenty to prove on ground which may be on the quick side for him.

Form: 421323-

Regal Flow¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 118

9/1

Looked unlucky when leading and unseating his rider three out in a Wincanton handicap chase last month, but made amends when winning in gritty fashion at Warwick last time. Only 3lb higher and has form on the sounder surface he is expected to face.

Form: 1552-79

Blue Kascade^p²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: D R Fox| T: A M Thomson| OR: 116

33/1

Has bombed out on his last three starts, but before those he had won handicap chases on good ground at Musselburgh and Wetherby. He is 5lb higher than the second of those victories and his loss of form is a concern.

Form: 1176PP-

Onderun⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 112

8/1

Not much to shout about since winning a handicap chase at Lingfield in December, but that was the liveliest ground he has encountered in recent starts. The return to better going and a slight drop in the weights may trigger a revival.

Form: 76/62P-1

Forecasts

Monbeg Gold (7/1), Behind The Wire (7/1), Rathlin Rose (7/1), Shanroe Santos (15/2), Onderun (8/1), Fort Worth (17/2), Regal Flow (9/1), Fingerontheswitch (10/1), Bob Tucker (14/1), Moss On The Mill (16/1), Muckle Roe (20/1), Willoughby Hedge (25/1), Adam du Breteau (25/1), Blue Kascade (33/1)

Plenty with chances, but the percentage call is the progressive SHANROE SANTOS, who looks weighted to complete his hat-trick. Old adversaries Behind The Wire and Fort Worth look sure to make a bold bid, while top weight Rathlin Rose is certainly not out of it.