14:05 Haydock

Saturday 18 December 2021

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

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 44.1s

Soul Emotion⁷⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 141

18/1

Landed pair of 2½m Sandown handicaps in spring of 2018 but very lightly raced for Nicky Henderson thereafter, fourth in Gr 3 handicap at Ascot in January 2020. Market may guide on debut for new yard.

Form: 115734/

N'Golo^p1,t⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 139

50/1

Useful performer in his pomp for Willie Mullins (Grade 3 winner 13 months ago). Mixed bag followed in this sphere and out of sorts on Flat in recent months. Likely best watched for new stable.

Form: 139093-

Stellar Magic³⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133| D

9/2

Point winner who impressed when landing pair of Taunton novice hurdles (19f) last winter. Ran too badly to be true at Warwick final start but certainly not one to write off on return/handicap bow.

Form: 1/11P-

Boss Man Fred⁴⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: D Skelton| OR: 132

12/1

Quickly reached a fairly useful level over hurdles during 2019/20, landing 3 of his 4 starts. Solid third on chase debut at Uttoxeter last autumn and he could have more to offer back over hurdles now.

Form: 11114/3-

Minella Charmer³⁰²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 130| C

16/1

Landed handicap hurdles 9 months apart in 2019. Missed 2020 and understandably shaped as if needing the run when distant third at Kelso (16.2f) in February. Operating from last winning mark on return.

Form: FP311/3-

Up For Parol⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 127| BF

5/2

Progressive, dual novice hurdle winner (at 2m) last term who ran creditably when third in Grade 2 on return. Not convincing with jumping over fences since and better showing likely back over timber.

Form: 1411-34

Little Awkward²⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 127WS

17/2

Bumper winner who landed a Plumpton maiden hurdle (20.5f) 12 months ago and kept on well for second at Fontwell (21.7f) in March. Had wind op since and should make his mark in handicaps.

Form: 1412-

Hart Of Steel³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 123| BF

7/1

Added to his tally in determined style at Carlisle (20f) in October and shaped as if still in good form when third at Hexham (16.2f) last month, an error 2 out not helping. This is tougher, however.

Form: 272-U13

Mackelduff³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 122

3/1

Progressive hurdler who readily defied a 7 lb lower mark on return/handicap debut at Aintree (20f) in October. Creditable third in stronger affair at Cheltenham (21f) since and likely player again.

Form: 43-113

Forecasts

Up For Parol (5/2), Mackelduff (3/1), Stellar Magic (9/2), Hart Of Steel (7/1), Little Awkward (17/2), Boss Man Fred (12/1), Minella Charmer (16/1), Soul Emotion (18/1), N'Golo (50/1)

An intriguing handicap with the vote in favour of MACKELDUFF. A winner on return/handicap debut at Aintree in October, he was far from disgraced when third in a stronger affair at Cheltenham last month and remains of interest from this sort of mark. The returning pair Stellar Magic and Boss Man Fred may emerge as the chief threats.