14:05 Haydock

Saturday 19 December 2020

All11:5012:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 56.27s

Chirico Vallis^h,t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 141| D

13/2

Returned from 8 months off with wide-margin win in at Bangor in August. Shrugged off 8 lb rise at Fontwell next time and found only one too good at Bangor last month. Up 4 lb for that so may struggle.

Form: 120-112

War Lord²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138| CD

2/1

Successful at Plumpton and Taunton last season and stepped up on encouraging reappearance when scoring over this C&D 4 weeks ago. That was strong form and he ought to be in the mix again here.

Form: 3418-21

Our Power²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137

16/5

Having just third start for this yard when bagging very competitive event at Kempton (21f) in March. Shaped well both starts this term, including when third to War Lord over C&D last month.

Form: 6331-63

The Last Day³⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 133

16/1

Shaped well in his first season chasing and impressive winner of 2m Aintree handicap on reappearance last November. Not as good a fortnight later and makes return after long absence back over timber.

Form: F221/14-

Albert's Back³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 133

9/1

Ran with credit without winning over fences last term and took advantage of a 9 lb lower mark to score at Wetherby on his reappearance last month. Up 5 lb but remains unexposed in this sphere.

Form: 2/3325-1

Secrete Stream²⁹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 133| CD

25/1

Lightly raced in recent times but bounced back to his best when landing 20f handicap at Wetherby in February. Probably remained in form when fourth a month later and needs to hit the ground running.

Form: 316/614-

McGowan's Pass⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 128| BF

11/2

Ayr scorer in January and proved as good as ever after 8 months off when runner-up there 7 weeks ago, likely to have won had he not been sent for home as early as he was. Should build on that effort.

Form: 48/122-2

Electron Bleu³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 122

14/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Possibly needed the run when well below form on his reappearance but he will need to step up considerably on that.

Form: 63622-6

Forecasts

War Lord (2/1), Our Power (16/5), McGowan's Pass (11/2), Chirico Vallis (13/2), Albert's Back (9/1), Electron Bleu (14/1), The Last Day (16/1), Secrete Stream (25/1)

ALBERT'S BACK took full advantage of a 9 lb lower mark than when shaping encouragingly on his only previous start in a handicap hurdle to score at Wetherby 5 weeks ago. He remains unexposed in this sphere and is taken to follow up. War Lord was impressive when winning over C&D last month so rates as an obvious threat, with McGowan's Pass another danger if building on his reappearance.