14:00 Haydock

Saturday 12 May 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:2517:55

Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 36.40s

The Tourard Man²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Dowling⁽⁷⁾| T: A King| OR: 145| D

28/1

Grand servant who has paid his way over the years, but has reached the veteran stage. Beaten when unseating his rider at Cheltenham last month and has plenty to do off 2lb lower for last year's winning stable.

Form: 81/610U-

Activial^h²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 143

40/1

Talented performer at his best, but struggled in a couple of chases after joining current trainer before finishing well down the field in a 2m4½f hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Plenty to do despite a 4lb lower mark.

Form: 213U5/0-

Debece²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 141

6/1

Useful novice, being placed in a Grade 1 hurdle at Aintree in 2017. Only run since then saw him return to that track last month and finish a creditable fourth in a handicap hurdle. Should be sharper this time.

Form: 23313/4-

Josses Hill^p²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141

33/1

High-class chaser at his best, but has lost his way this season and was pulled up when tried back over hurdles at Cheltenham on his latest outing. Hard to fancy despite a 4lb lower rating.

Form: 625P4P-

Wait For Me^h,t⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140

13/2

Useful hurdler who ran well to finish 10th of 23 in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last time. Stable coming to life after a spell in the doldrums and he looks to have sound each-way claims off a very fair mark.

Form: 21F430-

Prime Venture²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 139

11/1

Sixth of 20 at Aintree last month when he was two places behind Debece. Had previously finished eighth in the Pertemps, ahead of Wait For Me, so he is entitled to be in the mix.

Form: 214086-

Whataknight^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 139| BF| CD

6/1

Prolific winner early in his career, but is currently on a lengthy, losing run. Seventh in the Pertemps at Cheltenham before finishing runner-up to Monbeg Theatre at the same course. Good chance of reversing the latter form on better terms.

Form: 727872-

Jester Jet¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 139

20/1

Game winner over 2m4f at the Aintree Festival last month, but went up 6lb and was behind Wolf Of Windlesham when seventh of 19 at Sandown last time. Step up in trip not an issue on previous form.

Form: 13P217-

Enniscoffey Oscar¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 138

8/1

Two wins, including in Grade 2 company, as a novice, but was behind Wolf Of Windlesham and Jester Jet over 2m4f at Sandown last time. This longer trip will be more to his liking, however.

Form: 731109-

Wolf Of Windlesham¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: S Edmunds| OR: 138

8/1

First run over hurdles for over 16 months when an excellent second to a well-handicapped rival at Sandown with Jester Jet behind. Steps up in trip, but usually finishes well so it may well suit.

Form: 615F9/2-

Laurium¹⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136WS

33/1

Winning hurdler/chaser who has been pulled up on his last two starts. First run since November and has had wind surgery, so it will be interesting if there is money for him on ground which should suit.

Form: 1551P/P-

Just Janice^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J E Kiely| OR: 133

12/1

Irish challenger who ran a fine race to be second in a Listed mares novices' hurdle at Cheltenham last time. Has stamina to prove back in handicap company.

Form: 117892-

Sir Mangan^b1²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 133

18/1

Behind Debece and Prime Venture when 16th of 20 at Aintree last month. No recent evidence to suggest he can win this, but stable is in fine form and he wears blinkers for the first time.

Form: 6P6620-

Monbeg Theatre^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 133

11/1

Returned to winning ways when beating Whataknight under this jockey at Cheltenham last month, but has been hit with an 8lb rise and may struggle to confirm the placings. Respected nontheless.

Form: F2P231-

Viconte Du Noyer^b1,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130

20/1

Decent chaser who has not been at his best for some time and for whom a wind operation has made no significant difference. Connections try him over hurdles in first-time blinkers, but he is readily opposed.

Form: 2/70PP6-

Florrie Boy⁵²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127

16/1

Back-to-back wins when last seen in December, 2016. Resumes his career off his last winning mark so it will be interesting to see if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 126911/

Carlos Du Fruitier²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 126

16/1

Had Activial behind when eighth of 22 at Cheltenham last time. Has a bit to find off 1lb lower, but is not totally out of it.

Form: 21FP48-

Forecasts

Whataknight (6/1), Debece (6/1), Wait For Me (13/2), Enniscoffey Oscar (8/1), Wolf Of Windlesham (8/1), Monbeg Theatre (11/1), Prime Venture (11/1), Just Janice (12/1), Florrie Boy (16/1), Carlos Du Fruitier (16/1), Sir Mangan (18/1), Jester Jet (20/1), Viconte Du Noyer (20/1), The Tourard Man (28/1), Josses Hill (33/1), Laurium (33/1), Activial (40/1)

A wide-open staying handicap for which recent races at Aintree, Cheltenham and Sandown provide plenty of form pointers. The Sandown contest in which WOLF OF WINDLESHAM finished second was won by a well-handicapped horse so there is every chance that the runner-up that day can make an impact in this with the extra distance likely to be a plus. Wait For Me is well handicapped and hails from a stable hitting form, while a host of other dangers include Debece, Prime Venture, Whataknight and Enniscoffey Oscar. Florrie Boy has not run for 17 months, but is worth a check in the betting.