12:20 Haydock

Wednesday 5 December 2018

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30

Watch Racing UK In HD Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 5m 49.50s

Quri^h¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 12-7| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 110| D

10/11

Lightly raced, former Irish trained mare started well for this yard finishing second before running away with her first handicap when upped to 2m7½f at Uttoxeter. 7lb penalty for that but if in same vein she should defy it.

Form: 298-221

Paddys Runner^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Humphries⁽⁸⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 108

22/1

Three-time winner for Alan King has gone 12 races for this yard without success. Tailed-off until finally pulled up on recent return at Hereford and despite a now lowly mark he's of little appeal at present.

Form: 5669-5P

Ballymagroarty Boy²³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Buckley⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 108

16/1

Some promise in third of four starts last term where he kept on for fifth at Chepstow beaten 12L but failed to build on that next at Exeter. Starts out in opening handicap over longest trip to date. Few miles on the clock so could improve.

Form: 0PP957-

Just Bobby²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Billy Garritty⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 108

7/2

Won third and final novice hurdle last season when scoring over 2m4f on heavy ground at Sedgefield. Disappointing return at Ayr (11th of 15 beaten 28L) gives him plenty to find so must improve plenty for longer trip.

Form: 24631-0

Emerald Chieftan^p1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Fergus Gregory| T: R Menzies| OR: 107

14/1

5L winner of an Irish maiden point-to-point in January started with a promising second over hurdles but failed to build on it. Well beaten over fences on return before falling at the last at Ayr. Plenty to prove in first handicap here.

Form: 41266-F

Solway Lark²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 94

40/1

Good second at Perth in first handicap in August proved something of a false dawn with him unplaced in subsequent five starts over a variety of trips. Difficult to be optimistic now.

Form: 27F0U5

Chocolat Noir²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: M Todhunter| OR: 87

6/1

Placed a couple of times at Cartmel in May and July but soundly beaten last twice after falling at Cartmel subsequently. Ought to be competitive off this mark but appeal limited as a 20-race maiden.

Form: 623F60

Turtle Cask^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Ross Turner⁽³⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 86| D

22/1

Only won once since 2015, at Hexham in September 2017. Placed twice in subsequent 10 starts but failed to fire in two runs this term with a remote 11th of 13 and a pulled up. Hard to fancy.

Form: 4725-0P

Agent Louise²⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: R D Day| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 86| D

25/1

2m7½f Uttoxeter winner in March was second next at Sedgefield albeit beaten 33L. Returns to action 9lb higher than Uttoxeter success but won off higher marks in the past so looks to have solid each-way claims here.

Form: 3/PP512-

Forecasts

Quri (10/11), Just Bobby (7/2), Chocolat Noir (6/1), Emerald Chieftan (14/1), Ballymagroarty Boy (16/1), Paddys Runner (22/1), Turtle Cask (22/1), Agent Louise (25/1), Solway Lark (40/1)

In what is in all honesty a pretty weak affair QURI has exceptionally strong claims based on her 11L Uttoxeter success with a 7lb penalty surely less than she will get after reassessment by the handicapper. Lightly raced Ballymagroarty Boy is the most likely danger and Nigel Hawke's five-year-old may be suited by this longer trip so could now improve on what we've seen so far. Agent Louise was running well when last seen and would have genuine claims if she returns in the same vein on her first run of the season.