14:05 Haydock

Saturday 20 April 2019

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Betway Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 37.2s

Red Tornado⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 132| D

12/1

Has been slowly finding his form this spring, good third to Dino Velvet at Stratford last time, kept trying all the way to the line. Not a lot of room for manoeuvre off this mark but should run his race, and could hit the frame.

Form: 0-82143

Cause Toujours^t¹³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 132| D

4/1

Not seen out since December but has won after a break before, so that's not an issue. Three times a runner-up last three, but nothing wrong with attitude and conditions fine. Another to consider in an open race.

Form: 114222

Arthington⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 129| D

10/1

Consistent sort, good second to the useful Brandon Castle at Plumpton last time out but does have 10l to find with Dream Du Grand Val on their previous running. May be that the handicapper has him about right at present.

Form: 509122

Hijran⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 127| D

14/1

Improving mare that has won her last two starts with a bit in hand, and indeed, four of her last six shows she knows how to win, Conditions ideal once more and despite another 6lb rise, no saying she's finished improving yet.

Form: 1-41711

The Gipper³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 127| D

25/1

Well beaten at Newcastle last time but had won his previous two starts, although the issue is that all his best form has come with plenty of cut in the ground. Looks to have his fair share of weight anyway, and others preferred.

Form: 44-7116

Bhutan^t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| D

8/1

Back to a bit of form when third at Chepstow last time out, although looked a little short of pace once again and not sure these conditions will play to his strengths. Well enough handicapped but could probably do with further.

Form: 472PP3

Cubswin¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: N B King| OR: 126| D

11/1

Not the biggest but she tries hard and gained her due reward at Wincanton last time out. This looks more competitive on paper, and she's another 4lb higher, but her attitude is a good selling point, and she shouldn't be dismissed lightly.

Form: 264651

Casa Tall^h³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 126

11/2

There's the odd bit and piece of form that gives him a squeak but he was well beaten at Cheltenham last time (albeit in a tough race) and the form of the yard isn't great either. Others readily preferred.

Form: 104-520

Peruvien Bleu¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 126| D

12/1

Perfectly capable sort but definitely has his own ideas about the game, can look reluctant at times and almost refused two starts ago. Solid effort last time and conditions ideal if he's got out of bed the right side.

Form: 3-26P63

Beach Break^b¹⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| D

25/1

Picked up a couple of small-field handicaps last autumn but been rather in the grip of the handicapper since then, and wasn't going anywhere quickly when last seen. Has had a break, which may help, but others more persuasive.

Form: 113428

Ming Dynasty^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 123| D

10/1

Too keen for his won good at Stratford last time and had been a disappointing favourite before that, so something to prove now. Conditions fine and suspect if settling better, may go well, but clearly risky.

Form: 235176

Nayati⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122| D

25/1

Go back to last autumn and his third to the useful Grand Sancy reads well, but gone off the boil since then and new yard could do no better with him at Stratford last time, Plenty to prove at present, despite an attractive mark.

Form: 18-3698

Chieftain's Choice^b¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: K Frost| OR: 121| D

16/1

Getting on in years but still pops up from time from time, and the likely quick ground ideal for him to show his best. This might be a bit too tough for him though, and he's at his very best when bossing small fields.

Form: 371408

Peterborough⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 111

20/1

Ready winner in a lower grade at Exeter back in November but an awful effort at Wincanton last time (went off too quickly). Has some novice form that makes him look attractively weighted though, so cannot be discounted on the back of that.

Form: 8-32017

Tim Rocco^h,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 111| D

9/1

Twice a winner already this spring, both wins coming on good ground, so conditions fine, but found out somewhat when upped in grade last time out and may be happier once stepping back down the grading ladder. Bit to do here.

Form: 034114

Teaser^p,t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 112| D

16/1

Gets a bit of weight as a 4yo, and ran a little bit better than finishing position suggested at Ascot last time, but overall profile suggests he's going to find this tough going. Others make more appeal.

Form: 218337

Forecasts

Cause Toujours (4/1), Casa Tall (11/2), Bhutan (8/1), Tim Rocco (9/1), Arthington (10/1), Ming Dynasty (10/1), Cubswin (11/1), Peruvien Bleu (12/1), Red Tornado (12/1), Hijran (14/1), Teaser (16/1), Chieftain's Choice (16/1), Peterborough (20/1), Nayati (25/1), The Gipper (25/1), Beach Break (25/1)

HIJRAN keeps on improving and there seems no reason that she won't run here race again today, with conditions fine, and although she's more to do at the weights, she may well have more improvement in the locker. As the upwardly mobile one in the field, she's worth staying with today. Peterborough is another that should have better to come and his latest effort, when going too quickly, is best forgiven. Ming Dynasty will do better if he settles here and can't be discounted, and neither can Peruvian Bleu, who has two ways of going about things but is decent when he decides he fancies it. Cubswin tries hard and can take a prize home.