14:30 Haydock

Sunday 30 December 2018

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

Happy Birthday Vernon Phillips Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 5m 52.70s

Ice Cool Champs²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 131| BF| D

9/2

Return to hurdles didn't bring about the desired results when he was a distant fourth at Sandown on return as favourite. Surely better than that effort and possible he leaves that behind now with fitness likely boosted.

Form: 31523-4

Tomkevi^p,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 122| C

20/1

Return to hurdles yielded immediate results as he scored at Wetherby latest over 3m showing a likable attitude. Highest hurdles mark he's encountered here but can still expect a bold bid.

Form: 5315-61

Volcano¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 121| BF

5/2

Stepped up to 2m7½f for handicap debut last month and ran with great credit finishing second of 10 at Uttoxeter. Raised 6lb for that but is an unexposed young horse who will surely win races over such distances soon enough.

Form: 150-332

Dan Emmett^b1⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 119

50/1

Over three years since last win and fell when held up out the back on seasonal reappearance over fences. Still 7lb higher than that last win so not compelling by any means here.

Form: 5FF9/5-F

Ballyhome⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116| BF

4/1

Ready winner at Wetherby first time out over 2m5½f before fair fifth of 23 in warmer Cheltenham contest. Longer trip and softer ground here may play into his favour and real potential as a staying hurdler.

Form: 5862-15

Quids In^b1,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

10/1

One from 28 career record not inspiring but often competitive in such contest and good second to Tomkevi first time out further evidence of that. Blinkers now tried and if they work he could easily go close.

Form: 584-532

Hastrubal³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: H D Daly| OR: 114

7/2

Maiden of nine but signs first win not far away with two seconds so far this season. Kept on well in each of them so slight up in distance here can only rate a positive and leading contender.

Form: 745F/22

Kalaharry¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 106| D

8/1

Dual 2m7½f winner at Hexham including last time out where he stayed the trip strongly. Steps up in class now but few miles on the clock so every chance he can continue his progress this season.

Form: P6/31-71

Non-Runners

Smooth Stepper²⁶

Weight: 12-4| Age: 9

T: A M Hales J: Mr B Brackenbury

Too Many Chiefs¹²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: Mrs S A Watt J: Ross Chapman

Forecasts

Volcano (5/2), Hastrubal (7/2), Ballyhome (4/1), Ice Cool Champs (9/2), Too Many Chiefs (6/1), Kalaharry (8/1), Quids In (10/1), Smooth Stepper (16/1), Tomkevi (20/1), Dan Emmett (50/1)

VOLCANO was second last time when stepped up in trip for his first handicap and he looks the sort to stay on the right side of over this sort of distance so he is taken to go one better. Also looking likely to be suited by this trip is fellow unexposed sort Hastrubal for Henry Daly. Too Many Chiefs won last time out and his stamina will come into play in these conditions.