15:10 Haydock

Saturday 8 May 2021

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:35

Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 3m 45.20s

Shanroe^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| OR: 144| D

11/2

Had a very productive spell on the Flat and over hurdles in the last 12 months, forging clear to readily land a 2m Fairyhouse handicap hurdle last month. More needed under big weight here, though.

Form: 67/1241-

Any News²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 143

25/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner last autumn. Useful form when runner-up in Cheltenham novice in December but dropped away very tamely in Aintree Grade 1 last month. Handicap debut.

Form: F/112UP-

Politicise^p³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: A McGuinness| OR: 137| D

40/1

Two hurdle wins in Ireland at the start of last season. Also scored on Flat in September but well held on both outings since returning from a winter break. Bounce back needed.

Form: 132910-

Camprond²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| BF| D

11/2

Form: 2312-

Rowland Ward^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 132| D

10/1

Improved effort with a tongue tied added (retained) when leading close home to deny Camprond in big field at Aintree last month. The pair were clear so should still be competitive despite 10 lb rise.

Form: 302341-

Scarlet Dragon^h²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 132| D

33/1

Royal Ascot handicap winner last summer. Remained in form on the Flat since but has made only a limited impact back hurdling the last twice.

Form: 4158/36-

Historic Heart^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 137| D

22/1

Has made excellent start over hurdles, recording a useful effort when gaining a third success in 2m Perth handicap 17 days ago. Up 7 lb in a stronger race so will need to progress again.

Form: 152281-

Cormier^h¹⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: B Ellison| OR: 130| D

12/1

Fair Flat winner who took well to hurdles with maiden/novice successes in October. Unable to make an impact in Greatwood and Betfair Exchange handicaps at the end of 2020 but still early days.

Form: P1170-

Nordic Combined^v⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 128| C| D

8/1

Chased home Hooper at Cheltenham before getting back on the scoresheet at Hexham last weekend. Clearly in good heart right now but there's a suspicion he may find this a bit too competitive.

Form: 75522-1

Ballinsker⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| D

8/1

Creditable sixth in Greatwood at Cheltenham last November. Well held in Betfair at Newbury when last seen in February but his yard's very good record in this provides hope for better this time.

Form: 14/2600-

Copperless^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 126| BF| D

9/2

Improving hurdler who was a stylish winner on 2m Taunton handicap debut in March. Poised on heels of leaders when falling 2 out at Ascot since. Major player with further progress likely.

Form: 3/211F-

Defining Battle^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 124| BF

16/1

Fairly useful and progressive on Flat in 2019. In frame on all 3 outings over hurdles for this stable, making a sound start to life in handicaps when third at Ayr (2m) 22 days ago. Unexposed.

Form: 423-

Celestial Force^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123

16/1

Fairly useful stayer on Flat who won pair of novice hurdles last autumn. Respectable fifth of 14 on 2m Sandown handicap debut a fortnight but that underlines that he needs more from this sort of mark.

Form: 221325-

Thistimenextyear²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: C Brace| T: R Spencer| OR: 120| D

14/1

Fairly useful winner on Flat and over hurdles. Well held behind Rowland Ward and Camprond on recent return from a long absence at Aintree but he may strip fitter with that run behind him.

Form: 24120/8-

Non-Runners

Teqany¹⁸²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Hooper²⁴

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: Mr Ben Ffrench Davis

Didtheyleaveuoutto¹¹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: N J Gifford J: N F Houlihan

Forecasts

Copperless (9/2), Camprond (11/2), Shanroe (11/2), Hooper (7/1), Nordic Combined (8/1), Ballinsker (8/1), Rowland Ward (10/1), Cormier (12/1), Teqany (12/1), Thistimenextyear (14/1), Defining Battle (16/1), Celestial Force (16/1), Didtheyleaveuoutto (16/1), Historic Heart (22/1), Any News (25/1), Scarlet Dragon (33/1), Politicise (40/1)

A competitive renewal but CAMPROND and Copperless do rather stand out as progressive sorts. The former tanked through the race at Aintree last time only to be worn down late on by Rowland Ward and is narrowly preferred, with that experience of a big-field handicap likely to stand him in good stead. Nicky Henderson's Hooper is also on the shortlist.