15:20 Haydock

Saturday 23 December 2017

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Betfred Watch Sky Sports In Our Shops Handicap Hurdle

  • 3YO plus  |   Class 3  |   1m 7f 144y  |   Heavy  |   6 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:20  |   Winning time: 4m 7.30s
The word Sky in blue and Bet in white with a red background.
The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
1
Horse silk
Chti Balko28
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR:  135| CD
11/4
Put together back-to-back wins in maiden/novices' hurdles earlier in the year, the latter here over C&D (heavy). Well held here last time over further, but drop in trip can help him and he should be more competitive today.
2
Horse silk
The Gipper16
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR:  126| D
16/1
Has shown his best form on very testing ground and over this trip. 4lb lower today than when scoring in this grade at Chepstow (heavy) in February. Improved for reappearance run but still well beaten last time, but 5lb drop could spark revival.
3
Horse silk
Sleepy Haven18
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-1| J: David Noonan| T: J Candlish| OR:  124| CD
12/1
Won a similar race over C&D (heavy) three years ago and bettered that at Kempton (soft) next time. Made the most of his most recent opportunity from today's mark at Leicester on Boxing Day and enters calculations again after good recent run.
4
Horse silk
Quids Int17
Age: 4|  Weight: 10-12| J: Ian Popham| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR:  121| D
6/1
Sole success was on heavy ground (2m) at Uttoxeter in maiden company in February. Has been reasonably competitive without yet winning in handicaps and did well when 1½L third (2m3f, heavy) here last time. Needs a bit more from same mark.
5
Horse silk
Joke Dancer17
Age: 4|  Weight: 10-10| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR:  119| CD
7/2
Improving with each run over hurdles and caught the eye with a ready 6L win here over C&D (heavy) earlier in the month. Interesting that connections opt for handicap debut rather than carrying a penalty in novices' company and he has claims.
6
Horse silk
Cap Du Nord15
Age: 4|  Weight: 10-0| J: James Bowen(5)| T: Christian Williams| OR:  109| D
2/1
Made the most of what looked an enticing mark when scoring in novices' handicap company at Sandown last time. Front pair were 8L clear there and a 9lb rise looks fair enough. Potential for improvement though has it to prove on heavy ground.

Forecasts

Cap Du Nord (2/1), Chti Balko (11/4), Joke Dancer (7/2), Quids In (6/1), Sleepy Haven (12/1), The Gipper (16/1)

Verdict

JOKE DANCER left a good impression when winning in similar conditions earlier in the month and Sue Smith's improving four-year-old is taken to follow-up on his handicap debut. Sleepy Haven is back on a mark from which we know he can win, so expect a competitive effort from him again, while Chti Balko should do better now dropped back to the minimum trip. Cap Du Nord has it to prove in these conditions (was pulled up on point-to-point debut on only previous heavy ground run) but if he handles it then he has potential for improvement. The Gipper is also on a good mark and a market check is advised to gauge any confidence in a revival from him.
  1. Joke Dancer
  2. Sleepy Haven
  3. Chti Balko

Prize Money

1st: £8,122.002nd: £2,385.003rd: £1,192.004th: £596.00

MOST READ RACING

Follow & Track
Image of a horse race faded in a gold gradientYour favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My Stable
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefitsWhite Chevron
Sporting Life Plus Logo

RACING TIPS

Next Off