16:15 Haydock

Saturday 18 January 2020

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:15

Old Boston Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 22.9s

Takingrisks⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 135| D

9/1

Dour stayer who sprung a surprise when winning the Scottish Grand National (4m) last season. Proved it was no fluke with success in 3m Rehearsal Chase last time out. 8lb better off over hurdles but has bigger targets in sight.

Form: 3611-51

Mount Mews^p⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 134

12/1

Didn't get involved in last year's Cheltenham/Aintree festivals. Returned with second at Wetherby (2m3f) but was beaten 12L at Aintree (2m3f) last month. Still needs to prove he really stays this trip.

Form: 0/2R0-26

Deja Vue¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 132| BF| D

4/1

Easy winner of two hurdle races at Ffos Las (2m) during November/December but found wanting at Listed level at Taunton (2m) last time out. Back into handicap company and tries this trip for the first time.

Form: 5-32115

Dr Des²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 130

7/2

Was failing to figure in three hurdles starts this season but appreciated drop in grade when winning at Uttoxeter (2m7f) around a month ago. Hiked up 10lb which puts him back in this company.

Form: 5P-5401

Gangster^p,t1²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 126| D

14/1

Has some form behind smart rivals when trained in Ireland but yet to fire in two starts for this yard, including 31L defeat at Doncaster at the end of December. Frustrating sort who may be on a downward spiral.

Form: 5574-65

Silva Eclipse²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 124

4/1

Winner at Uttoxeter in November but found slightly wanting off higher marks the last twice, including 8L third over C&D last month. Dropped 1lb now so is starting to be given some leniency. Considered.

Form: 6-86143

Imperial Knight⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| OR: 124

10/1

Yet to win under rules but was a good second at Southwell two starts ago. Awful when making plenty of mistakes before unseating at Chepstow (2m7f) last month. Needs to jump significantly better.

Form: 32/P32-U

King Uther^b1³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120

20/1

Had some good form at this level in 2017/18 season but blighted by injuries since. Made first start for 394 days when pulling up at Bangor(3m) last month but entitled to have needed that.

Form: 3123/F-P

Duc De Grissay³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 118

9/2

Remains a maiden in eight starts under point-to-points and rules and rallied well to take third at Newcastle (2m6f) in December. On a workable mark and there is a chance more is to come.

Form: P2/3F43

Non-Runners

Woulduadamandeveit⁵⁹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: Mrs S Gardner J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Dr Des (7/2), Silva Eclipse (4/1), Deja Vue (4/1), Duc De Grissay (9/2), Takingrisks (9/1), Imperial Knight (10/1), Mount Mews (12/1), Gangster (14/1), King Uther (20/1), Woulduadamandeveit (25/1)

Many of these contenders have significant questions to answer so it may be worth siding with a relatively unexposed sort in DUC DE GRISSAY. The seven-year-old has generally progressed in each start and looked to be crying out for a bigger test of stamina at Newcastle last time out. With age on his side too, this could be a good chance to get off the mark. Imperial Knight couldn't of done any worse last time out so may be forgiven for that and holds claims if replicating his Southwell effort, while the likes of Dr Des and the classy Takingrisks have little respite by the handicapper, but the latter is of interest given the way the form of his Newcastle run is turning out.