13:30 Haydock

Saturday 3 April 2021

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Betway Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series Final Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 5.00s

Barton Knoll²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: J Mackie| OR: 135| C| D

4/1

Notched third victory in this sphere when landing a 19f Doncaster handicap in November. Bold show from the front when fifth of 14 in Newbury Grade 3 handicap last month.

Form: 54F-715

Demi Sang^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 126

14/1

Posted 3 successive placed efforts (1 chase, 2 hurdle) in the autumn. Below par over fences on last 2 starts but his mark has come down 7 lb in the process. Keep an eye on in betting.

Form: 723355

Prudhomme^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 125

8/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who left chase debut well behind when shading tight finish over C&D (soft) in December for Nick Williams. Fair third back there since but his jumping could have been slicker.

Form: 45P-614

Doitforthevillage^t²²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 123| D

12/1

Cracking servant to connections who resumed winning ways over fences at Sandown in January. Also runner-up over that same C&D in February and fair fourth back hurdling latest.

Form: P51424

Zolfo^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: J Candlish| OR: 123| D

33/1

Had a very productive 2019/20, winning 5 times. Easily best run from 3 outings this term when fourth of 8 at Sandown last time. Now 3 lb below last successful mark. Not discounted.

Form: 111-P74

Niven^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 123

18/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who, fit from jumpers bumpers/AW Flat, made a creditable return to fences when third at Doncaster 29 days ago.

Form: 0P6453

Five Star Getaway²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 120| D

5/4

Ex-pointer who was much improved to win first 2 handicap chases last month. Particularly impressive at Sandown latterly and even a further 15 lb rise doesn't look enough to stop him.

Form: 006-511

The Paddy Pie^p1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 120| CD

5/1

Remote second of 4 at Sedgefield last month but he's eased another 2 lb in the weights and yard's good form in recent days provides hope for better now. Also has cheekpieces added.

Form: 1-03372

Non-Runners

Admiral Barratry²¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: L Wadham J: Bryony Frost

Forecasts

Five Star Getaway (5/4), Barton Knoll (4/1), The Paddy Pie (5/1), Admiral Barratry (7/1), Prudhomme (8/1), Doitforthevillage (12/1), Demi Sang (14/1), Niven (18/1), Zolfo (33/1)

FIVE STAR GETAWAY stands out as a progressive sort in this line-up and is taken to defy the handicapper again and complete a hat-trick. The in-form Sue Smith yard used cheekpieces to good effect on Cheltenham winner Vintage Clouds and The Paddy Pie could pose a threat if reacting positively to the first-time headgear. Admiral Barratry had an excuse last time and is also on the shortlist.