14:25 Haydock

Saturday 16 February 2019

All12:5013:2513:5514:2514:5515:3516:1016:45

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:28 | Winning time: 5m 16.40s

Warthog^t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 137| D

13/2

Improved on his hurdling form when making a successful chasing debut at Sandown (2m4f, soft); race rather fell apart. Given a harsh 12lb rise for that win up in grade last time (made mistakes) at Kempton; questions to answer off this mark.

Form: P327-1P

Luckofthedraw⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134

4/1

Took time to warm to his task at Carlisle when making a winning chasing debut at Carlisle (2m); rather found out by his lack of experience next time out. Back on the up when last seen (Carlisle again), second to an improving sort. Usual hood removed.

Form: 412-182

Wilde Blue Yonder⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 132

13/2

Useful sort who has had his injury problems and has fallen in his last two hurdles starts. Sent chasing his jumping frailties again resurfaced (was going well before two bad mistakes); doesn't come without risks on his second chase start.

Form: 334F-F6

Scorpion Sid⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 130| C

10/3

Dual winning novice hurdler (both on heavy) who was second in his only point-to-point. Little chance at the weights on his chasing debut but left that form well behind over C&D last time (made all); won by 18L, straightforward and likeable type.

Form: 2/112-31

Sunset Showdown⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 127

10/1

Lightly-raced under Rules this Irish point-to-point winner (only run in that sphere) was easy to back on his chasing/handicap debut. Only beat one home (not unduly punished); should do better in time but this looks competitive for him.

Form: 1/524-0

Slanelough^h⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 127

10/1

Progressed well over hurdles and has shown some potential over fences in his first two outings in this sphere at Carlisle. Would have more than likely have been placed behind Scorpion Sid here (2m3f) last time; unlucky to unseat 2 out.

Form: 126-45U

Manwell^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 123

13/2

Often flattered to deceive prior to his wind op but thriving since (22112); recorded wins at Catterick and Wetherby over similar trips to today. Lost nothing in defeat last time (just touched off by The Paddy Pie); needed better jump at the last.

Form: 2-22112

The Paddy Pie²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 122| D

13/2

Ran with credit on his first four chase starts; took a drop to 2m to see him off the mark at Sedgefield (narrow defeat of Manwell). Better jump at the last saw him home there; could well appreciate the return to further and confirm the Manwell form.

Form: 122331

Forecasts

Scorpion Sid (10/3), Luckofthedraw (4/1), The Paddy Pie (13/2), Wilde Blue Yonder (13/2), Warthog (13/2), Manwell (13/2), Sunset Showdown (10/1), Slanelough (10/1)

Plenty of potential amongst this field with SCORPION SID having already shown that he acts around here jumping well in the main and looking ready for a switch to handicap company. Trainer Sue Smith has won this twice before and she runs The Paddy Pie who is closely matched with Manwell. Both are consistent types and there shouldn’t be much between them on their Sedgefield scrap last time although it may well be another Northern challenger in Slanelough who presents a bigger danger he’s starting to find his feet over fences. Luckofthedraw can’t be ignored either especially as he appeared to match his debut win last time when second to an improving sort at Carlisle.