14:00 Haydock

Sunday 30 December 2018

All12:2012:5513:2514:0014:3015:0515:35

Last Fling Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 7m 17.20s

Dell' Arca^b,t⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 141

16/1

Smart multi-purpose performer in good form over the summer winning twice but lesser efforts the last twice. Never won beyond 3m and handicapper probably has his measure at present.

Form: 3-41487

Ami Desbois^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 133| C

5/1

Won twice last season before pulling-up in two Grade Twos. Unseated first time out this year but excellent third in Welsh National Trial latest especially given winner was second in the big one itself. Same mark here so of plenty of appeal.

Form: 11PP-U3

Another Venture^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 132

8/1

Dual winner at up to 3m1f as a novice last season and pleasing enough return to action when fifth in Welsh National Trial (Ami Desbois third). Longest trip he's faced here but expect him to stay and not ruled out by any means.

Form: 61134-5

Ballycross^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130

10/1

Started the season with two good runs before finishing pulled-up at Chepstow last time out where a bad error couldn't be recovered from. Only 2lb higher than last win but others appeal more at present.

Form: 41-243P

West Of The Edge^b²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 128

8/1

Stays very strongly as wins over 3m5f and second over 4m½f show. Only midfield latest in most recent stamina test at Kelso but mark falls back to same as his Eider Chase second now so legitimate each-way claims.

Form: 722P-48

Back To The Thatch²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 127

2/1

Travelling really well until falling in last season's Eider at Newcastle (4m½f). Encouragement aplenty in latest fourth in the Welsh National Trial at Chepstow (2m7½f) where he looked sure to relish a step up in trip, leading contender.

Form: 31FP-74

Very First Time³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 127

14/1

In good form last season until finding Cheltenham and Aintree handicaps tougher. Only midfield on debut but entitled to have needed that so could go well here with potential that best days remain ahead.

Form: 11200-5

Ballymalin⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124| BF

17/2

Better over hurdles than fences but some smart form in staying contests including Midlands Grand National third last season. Disappointing first time out but ground likely too fast there so better can now be expected.

Form: P3F38-0

Chef D'Oeuvre¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 119| BF

7/1

Only won once from 10 chase starts but often threatened to make his mark off lower mark than hurdles. Third at Carlisle last time out a quite respectable effort so should be in the hunt for a place once again.

Form: 0P62-43

Dare To Endeavour^p²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: P Griffin| OR: 117

40/1

Close to five years now since he last tasted success and has been tailed off in all four starts this season. Mark tumbling but too regressive to take advantage it seems.

Form: 53-5440

Forecasts

Back To The Thatch (2/1), Ami Desbois (5/1), Chef D'Oeuvre (7/1), Another Venture (8/1), West Of The Edge (8/1), Ballymalin (17/2), Ballycross (10/1), Very First Time (14/1), Dell' Arca (16/1), Dare To Endeavour (40/1)

The Welsh National Trial form was boosted when winner Ramses De Teillee ran so well in the big one so the trio who ran well in that race look the ones to focus on here. Ami Desbois finished in front of BACK TO THE THATCH there but the latter looked the one who would relish this extra 3½f the most so he gets the vote to turn the tables. Another Venture was only one position behind the selection and unlike the aforementioned duo he was having his first run of the season there so has more potential for improvement.