15:15 Haydock

Saturday 19 December 2020

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

Listen To Paul Nicholls On Betting.Betfair Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:24 | Winning time: 6m 30.14s

Clyne²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 137| C

5/1

Course winner who again made mistakes when eleventh of 17 in Grade 3 handicap hurdle over this C&D (heavy) 28 days ago. This is less exacting but his long losing run is off putting.

Form: 2358-00

Planet Nine²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 133

8/1

Won twice over hurdles in 2017/18. Proved better than ever after 11 months off when third at Ayr in October, but disappointing when behind No Hiding Place at Carlisle last time. Must bounce back.

Form: 45/23-35

Queenohearts⁶⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 132| C

5/1

Useful in bumpers and of a similar level over hurdles in 2018/19, supplementing course listed event win in Sandown Grade 2. Excuses at Cheltenham when last seen and remains with potential up in trip.

Form: 112110/

No Hiding Place^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 127| D

18/1

Seemingly not the easiest to train nowadays but bounced back to form to win 6-runner event at Carlisle (25f) 20 days ago, though did have the benefit of an enterprising ride.

Form: 463/D-81

Silva Eclipse²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 127| CD

11/2

Successful at Uttoxeter and over C&D last season, but well below form in latest renewal of former race last time. Eased 2 lb but bit to prove at present.

Form: 312-359

Dadsintrouble^v³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 123| C

14/1

Runner-up at Musselburgh off 2 lb lower mark in February. Probably would've finished in the money again had he not unseated rider 2 out at Market Rasen latest, but is unproven on ground this testing.

Form: 4642-2U

Label Des Obeaux³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Max Browne⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A King| OR: 123| D

4/1

Smart 3-time chaser winner in 2016/17. Hasn't been close to that level in a light career over hurdles in more recent times but a stiffer test here should suit better.

Form: 66/94-66

Goodbye Dancer^t⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 123| D

7/1

Well ridden when making first start for Fergal O'Brien a winning one a year ago. Fell next time out and hasn't been in the same form since, but he did show a bit more at Cheltenham last week.

Form: 00-6607

Bryden Boy^v¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 118| D

8/1

Dual winner last season who stepped up on his reappearance when 10 lengths second of 6 at Ayr (24.3f) last time. This is a stronger race but he'll handle conditions.

Form: 3641-52

Forecasts

Label Des Obeaux (4/1), Queenohearts (5/1), Clyne (5/1), Silva Eclipse (11/2), Goodbye Dancer (7/1), Bryden Boy (8/1), Planet Nine (8/1), Dadsintrouble (14/1), No Hiding Place (18/1)

QUEENOHEARTS hasn't been seen for the best part of 2 years, but her previous form reads well and she remains with potential now stepping up to three miles, so looks the most persuasive option in a race where it is not hard to pick holes in the opposition. Goodbye Dancer hinted at a revival at Cheltenham last week, so could be the one to pose the biggest threat if building on that effort.