12:50 Haydock
Wednesday 6 December 2017
All12:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30
Annual Members 'reciprocals At Every Other Racecourse' Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 6f 177y | Heavy (Soft in places) | 8 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 6m 6.4s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Improving performer who stepped up to a similar trip with success at Exeter (soft) last time on his handicap debut. Carries a penalty for that, but there looks to be more under the bonnet and he should give another very good account.
Handles heavy ground and returned at Carlisle last month with one of his better efforts, scoring over 2m4f (soft) in a chase from 4lb higher. Connections now look to exploit this slightly lower hurdles mark, though far from certain to do so.
Was limited to just two starts last season and was unable to build on what he had done prior to that. Taken out at Chepstow recently with a vet's certificate, so has well being to prove after another absence. Stays well and acts on heavy.
After a spell in point-to-points he returned to rules last time with a good effort at Ayr (3m½f, heavy), when 4L second on his first start for this trainer. Up just 1lb for that and enters calculations if he turns up in same mood.
Was back in better form at Worcester last month (2m4f, soft) when 7L second from today's mark. Tongue-tie now added, plenty of stamina in pedigree suggests that he could find a bit more for this step up in trip and he enters calculations.
Handicapper has had his measure since he won a 2m4f (soft) handicap hurdle at Worcester in May, though he went close from this mark at Newton Abbot in July. Yet to race on heavy and well beaten when last seen, so has a bit to prove.
Has won on heavy ground and stays this far. Recorded one of his best efforts last time when 4½L third at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) last month. Raised 5lb for that, so is going to need improvement to defy a career-high mark.
Scored from 8lb higher at Fontwell (2m5½f, soft) in January when with Chris Gordon. On the slide since, though only beaten 2L at Ayr (3m½f) from 1lb lower two starts ago. Could get involved though not easy to trust.
Forecasts
Pop Rockstar (5/2), Thomas Patrick (3/1), Un Guet Apens (6/1), Chicoria (8/1), Achill Road Boy (9/1), Sam Noir (12/1), Letemgo (14/1), Ceann Sibheal (20/1)
Thomas Patrick is still on an upward curve and looked as though there was more to come when scoring at Exeter last time, but a 7lb penalty will not be easy to shoulder in this ground and he could be worth taking on with POP ROCKSTAR. Jonjo O'Neill's five-year-old came back to form last time out and the combination of this step up in trip and a tongue-tie might just tip the scales in his favour in receipt of almost a stone from the top weight. Chicoria and Achill Road Boy at least come here in reasonable form and could battle out the minors, the others all having something to prove.
- Pop Rockstar
- Thomas Patrick
- Chicoria
Prize Money
1st: £4,874.002nd: £1,431.003rd: £716.004th: £358.00
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