15:15 Haydock

Saturday 22 December 2018

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:0514:4015:15

Smarkets Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 5m 53.90s

Tawseef¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 136| D

16/1

Approaching the veteran stage and was having his first run for a year when well held at Aintree recently. Plenty to find off 1lb lower.

Form: 23121-8

Theo's Charm^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 132

5/2

First outing since the spring when fifth to a promising sort over 3m½f at this venue last month. Should be straighter for the run and races off 3lb lower on ground which suits.

Form: 92204-5

Closing Ceremony⁴⁰⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 131| C

10/1

Talented performer in his prime, but things have not gone to plan during the last few seasons. Returns from another lengthy lay-off, but jockey booking suggests he is ready to go.

Form: 21563/7-

Only Orsenfoolsies¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Billy Garritty⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 128| C

8/1

Course winner who handles cut in the ground and was a respectable third over 2m at Wetherby last time. Not guaranteed to stay this longer trip in the conditions, but chance if he does.

Form: 73152-3

Florrie Knox³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: A M Hales| OR: 127

9/2

Back from a break when fourth of nine at Market Rasen last month, shaping as though he needed the run. Runs off the same mark and should be able to handle the going.

Form: 43312-4

The Hollow Ginge⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123

4/1

Only win in seven starts over hurdles was achieved on heavy ground. Two runs this season have been respectable without suggesting he is a winner in waiting.

Form: 3376-24

Road To Gold^v1²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 122

12/1

Third win in eight starts over timber when scoring in game fashion at Ayr. That was his first run since April, so he is entitled to come on for it and be a force off 5lb higher on ground he likes in a first-time visor.

Form: 5/P524-1

Silva Eclipse²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 120

7/1

Fourth on both starts last month and is 2lb lower than for the first of them. Only win came on heavy ground so not one to rule out.

Form: 1228-44

Forecasts

Theo's Charm (5/2), The Hollow Ginge (4/1), Florrie Knox (9/2), Silva Eclipse (7/1), Only Orsenfoolsies (8/1), Closing Ceremony (10/1), Road To Gold (12/1), Tawseef (16/1)

This final race on the card could be a gruelling affair and the one most likely to handle conditions is ROAD TO GOLD, who scored on heavy last time and has prospects of a follow-up off this higher mark. Florrie Knox is feared after a pleasing comeback run at Market Rasen, while Silva Eclipse, The Hollow Ginge, Theo's Charm and Closing Ceremony are also likely to attract support.