14:40 Haydock

Saturday 19 December 2020

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

Betfair Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 7m 10.15s

Roll Again¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 141| D

16/1

Has a patchy record over fences but return to Ludlow sparked him back into life recently, making all with something up his sleeve. Now on a career-high mark and not sure to be in the same form.

Form: 1F64-61

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Sojourn^t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 140| D

11/4

Lightly-raced sort who made it 2 from 3 over fences when readily making all at Carlisle (26.2f) 48 days ago. Up 11 lb but has more to offer and will relish conditions. Leading claims.

Form: 133/12-1

Hill Sixteen²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138

11/4

Bolted up by 46 lengths in handicap chase at Ffos Las on stable debut before grinding out a handicap hurdle success from lower mark at Newbury. Well respected back in this sphere in hat-trick bid.

Form: 6412-11

Crixus's Escape³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: G Boanas| OR: 136

16/1

Multiple hurdles winner who has already added to tally twice over fences, jumping well when completing his latest success at Ayr 38 days ago. This is tougher but he can't be ruled out.

Form: 5521-P1

Pop Rockstar^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 134| C

40/1

Useful chaser on his day but, having returned with a good second at Carlisle, produced a lacklustre display over C&D last month. Possibly needs more time between races nowadays.

Form: 1500-2P

Highest Sun^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 134| D

15/2

Useful chaser who has become well treated and took a big step in the right direction when fourth in a competitive 16-runner event at Newbury 3 weeks ago. Definite player if he can build on that.

Form: 1457-54

Sam's Adventure^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 133

14/1

Signed off for last term with career-best win in 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter. Apparently hasn't returned in the same form, however.

Form: 2721-P5

Lord Napier¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 132

9/1

Useful staying hurdler at his best and matched that form at the third attempt over fences when second in handicap at Chepstow a fortnight ago. This stiffer test will suit, so he's worth considering.

Form: 5/P0-842

Salty Boy^p1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 125

14/1

Dual hurdles winner in Ireland, but hasn't looked a natural over fences and this could prove too competitive.

Form: 4U43-46

Enqarde⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 124

7/1

Form: 5376-21

Forecasts

Sojourn (11/4), Hill Sixteen (11/4), Enqarde (7/1), Highest Sun (15/2), Lord Napier (9/1), Sam's Adventure (14/1), Salty Boy (14/1), Crixus's Escape (16/1), Roll Again (16/1), Pop Rockstar (40/1)

SOJOURN looks the most progressive and is fancied to add to his convincing reappearance win at Carlisle. Hill Sixteen is unbeaten since joining Nigel Twiston-Davies and looks the main threat despite a hefty rise, while Highest Sun can't be ruled out following a more positive display when fourth at Newbury.