16:55 Haydock

Wednesday 21 March 2018

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Howdens Joinery Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 5m 59.63s

Calipso Collonges^h,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 110| D

4/6

Progressive this season in handicaps, reeling off a hat-trick at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy), Fakenham (2m7½f, soft) and Market Rasen (2m2½f, soft). Potential for more over this trip, without a penalty for his latest win and is the one to beat.

Form: 758111

Tailor Tom^p⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107| D

11/1

Scored over a similar trip (heavy) at Bangor in January and bettered that in defeat at Catterick (3m1½f, soft) next time. Out of sorts last time at Newcastle, but cheek pieces worn there are retained and not ruled out from 1lb lower.

Form: 804127

Champagne George⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 107

4/1

It's almost two years since he won a Fontwell novices' hurdle (2m3f, good to soft) under this pilot, who is back on board today for the first time since. Back to form at Southwell (2m4½f, soft) last time and claims from 3lb higher.

Form: 131/P62

Pookie Pekan²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 105

9/1

Didn't have to be as good when scoring on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m3½f, heavy) last time as he has in novices' contests prior to that. Has an unchanged mark for this more competitive contest, so will need to raise things a notch. Not ruled out.

Form: F3-4491

Up Helly Aa King^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 105

50/1

Best effort since being placed on debut in a bumper was last time when 18½L fourth in an Ayr novices' hurdle (2m, heavy). Initial mark looks stiff enough, but a market check would probably be prudent.

Form: 3P-P74

Red Danaher¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 103

9/1

Has won twice already in a busy 2018, at Catterick (3m1½f, soft) and then last time from 6lb higher at Carlisle (2m3½f, heavy). Up another 1lb now, but had a bit in hand last time and should make another bold bid.

Form: 251741

Star Of Namibia²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 93

28/1

32-race maiden who made the frame a couple of times on better ground last summer when on slightly lower marks. Well held on his return at Wetherby last time, but if performing to his best he is not ruled out of the frame.

Form: P7-7237

Non-Runners

Hollywood All Star²⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 9

T: D Killahena & G McPherson J: Conor Shoemark

Forecasts

Calipso Collonges (4/6), Champagne George (4/1), Red Danaher (9/1), Pookie Pekan (9/1), Tailor Tom (11/1), Hollywood All Star (25/1), Star Of Namibia (28/1), Up Helly Aa King (50/1)

CALIPSO COLLONGES is in tremendous form and given that he escapes a penalty for his latest success he is taken to step back up in trip and complete a four-timer. Tailor Tom is not ruled out if he can put his latest run behind him, though a bigger danger could be Champagne George. Red Danaher and Pookie Pekan are others with a squeak.