14:10 Haydock

Saturday 30 December 2017

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

Last Fling Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 8m 16.5s

Lessons In Milan^p³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

9/2

Unusually for one trained at Seven Barrows, he remains a maiden over fences after nine starts. Handicapper has eased him 2lb here after being pulled up on reappearance last month, which gives him a chance on ground he handles.

Form: 35285-P

Belmount^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129

22/1

Won a 3m2f hurdle on heavy in 2015, no issues with trip/going. Of more concern is recent form for, after winning a Warwick handicap chase in September, he has failed to complete in three starts. Drops 2lb now. Yet to win in cheek pieces.

Form: 3416FP

West Of The Edge^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 128

8/1

Relishes bottomless conditions and won a 3m5f Warwick chase (soft) by 8L when last seen over fences in March. 9lb higher for return to this sphere after two hurdles outings and has to enter calculations, though stable just a little quiet.

Form: 1271-37

Harry The Viking^p⁵⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 128

6/1

Was runner-up in this, beaten 3L from today's mark of 128 on heavy in 2015. Stays 4m and though he has yet to win on worse than good to soft, we know he handles this ground, he comes here in form and gets on well with this pilot. Claims.

Form: 17449-1

Streets Of Promise^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: M Scudamore| OR: 128

12/1

All her five wins have been on soft or heavy ground, though you have to go back to April 2016 for the latest at Wetherby from 2lb higher. Also of concern is her ability to see out this trip, which remains unproven. Up against it.

Form: F1/3P3-9

Gold Opera^v⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 125

16/1

All his wins have been at Newcastle/Ayr on soft/heavy ground. In good form earlier in year over 2m4f and returned with good effort (beaten 1L) at Ayr (3m½f, heavy) last time. Same mark today and worth a try at this trip, though has stamina to prove.

Form: 1P311-4

Emperor's Choice^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124| C

7/2

Goes well here with a win over 3m4½f at the track plus plenty of other good form here on heavy. Beaten 32L back here last time on reappearance, but now 3lb lower and should be spot on after that. Should be a contender.

Form: 8PP5P-3

Jennys Surprise^p1²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Alain Cawley| T: F O'Brien| OR: 123

8/1

Acts well in these conditions and has won at up to 3m2f, as she did at Uttoxeter last month from 6lb lower. Beaten from this mark last time and this race is tougher still, so cheek pieces will need to have a positive effect.

Form: F/P4U-14

Whiskey Chaser^p²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114| C

9/2

Another mudlark who returns here in form after a 2m7f (heavy) success at the track last time. 5lb rise looks fair and hope in pedigree that he will stay this extreme trip, so very much respected up in class from stable in good form.

Form: P2P22-1

Non-Runners

Vieux Lille⁶⁷

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: P Hobbs & J White J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Emperor's Choice (7/2), Whiskey Chaser (9/2), Lessons In Milan (9/2), Harry The Viking (6/1), West Of The Edge (8/1), Jennys Surprise (8/1), Vieux Lille (10/1), Streets Of Promise (12/1), Gold Opera (16/1), Belmount (22/1)

Another marathon contest on testing ground to look forward to at this venue and none of this field relishes such a scenario more than EMPEROR'S CHOICE, who gets the vote after a handy 3lb drop and a run under his belt. Whiskey Chaser has to be taken seriously after winning here last time and along with Gold Opera could have a say if his stamina holds up. Lesson In Milan is respected, while Harry The Viking is back in form again and on a winning mark so, although he is hours away from his 13th birthday, another good run is anticipated.