15:05 Haydock

Sunday 30 December 2018

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

Racing UK Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 26.6s

Didero Vallis¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130| D

9/2

Former Willie Mullins inmate left stable and chase debut well and truly behind latest when successful at Carlisle. Upped 3lb for that narrow success but there's surely more to come now over fences so he's a leading player here.

Form: 23P-371

Gold Opera^v⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 127| BF| D

7/1

Newcastle winner to end last season started this term with a positive effort at the same course as he finished second. Handicapper keeps up the pressure so may need to improve again here but no surprise if he goes well.

Form: P55P1-2

Kayf Blanco²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 125

11/2

Maiden over fences but placed in eight of his 10 races. Two thirds this season but both remote so even with handicap falling again he will need to step up to be heavily involved.

Form: 3226-33

Western Jo^t⁴¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 125

28/1

Bolted up by 31L at Hexham in October over 2m4f and defied an 18lb higher mark latest when winning at the same course over 3m. Goes up again here but clearly in fine form so can't be ruled out by any means.

Form: 724131-

Ecu De La Noverie³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130

7/2

French chase winner beat a smart subsequent winner of Nicky Henderson's on his UK debut at Newbury over hurdles before a good second last time out in a Lingfield handicap off this mark. More to come given youth and leading player here.

Form: F451-12

Arctic Gold³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124WS

7/1

Five-time hurdle winner but still a maiden over fences. Three novice runs this season uninspiring so big step up required although best form would make him competitive off this mark post wind surgery.

Form: 28F-255

Hills Of Dubai²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120| D

9/2

Twice a winner at Ayr over this trip last season and placed in all three subsequent starts including reappearance second here over 2m7f. Everything seemingly in his favour to go close once again and leading claims here.

Form: 3/1123-2

Yorgonnahearmeroar^h⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Lee Edwards| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 115

15/2

Gained first win over fences at Hereford to end last season. 4lb higher now after a midfield return over hurdles but expecting him to take a big step forward from that run and not ruled out.

Form: 3/9P41-8

Non-Runners

Lord Bryan²²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: P & M Bowen J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ecu De La Noverie (7/2), Didero Vallis (9/2), Hills Of Dubai (9/2), Kayf Blanco (11/2), Gold Opera (7/1), Arctic Gold (7/1), Yorgonnahearmeroar (15/2), Lord Bryan (10/1), Western Jo (28/1)

HILLS OF DUBAI seems a progressive chaser and given his solid form over this distance and also this course the two paired together here can see him return to the winner's enclosure. French import Ecu De La Noverie has made a very solid start over hurdles and as a winner over fences in France he should prove every bit as effective here so rates an interesting contender. Also shortlisted is in form Western Jo who already has two wins to his name this season.