15:15 Haydock

Thursday 30 December 2021

All12:3013:0013:3514:0514:4015:1515:45

Codrington Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 24.60s

Minella Till Dawn²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132

40/1

Consistent Irish chaser for Gordon Elliott who looked rusty on his return/yard bow when fifth of 9 in 3m handicap chase at Wetherby 26 days ago. Seems sure to build on that now.

Form: 7P14P-5

Informateur³³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 132| C

25/1

Signed off last spring with 20f win here but he's yet to fire this term, pulled up in handicap at Newcastle (23.4f) 33 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 2421-5P

Saint Xavier^p,t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: R Hobson| OR: 130

20/1

Exploits have proved more miss than hit for present stable but he arrives in good nick from a spell in Auteuil, sixth in Group 2 there (21.9f, heavy) 32 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: P4P-516

Orrisdale^p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129

9/2

Yet to win over fences, but he comes here on the up, in control when last-fence faller at Newton Abbot before strong-finishing runner-up in 21f Market Rasen handicap. Holds good claims off same mark.

Form: 4233-F2

Tanarpino^v²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 128

22/1

Scored at Bangor in August and posted another good effort when second of 8 in 3m handicap there 20 days ago. Can give another good account despite 3 lb rise.

Form: 054152

Wouldubewell²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 127

4/1

Dual point winner and successful over hurdles last term. Made a great start to chase career when landing 4-runner Fontwell handicap (3¼m) 19 days ago. Up 5 lb but she's firmly in the picture.

Form: 11/142-1

Fine Theatre²⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 126

66/1

Veteran ex-Irish chaser for Paul Nolan but only fourteenth in 3m handicap chase (66/1) at Punchestown 8 months ago. Needs to hit the ground running for his new stable.

Form: 1/P0P20-

Town Parks⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 126

16/1

Fairly useful 20f chase winner who should strip fitter for his reappearance seventh of 11 in Ffos Las handicap (19.4f) 43 days ago. Not discounted now off a reduced mark.

Form: P/213-P7

Thomas Macdonagh^p1,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 125

10/1

Improved form over fences last term when scoring at Catterick, but well below par both runs this term, pulled up at Fontwell 23 days ago. Cheekpieces on with something to prove.

Form: 31P2-7P

Up Helly Aa King^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 123

6/1

Consistent sort who comes here on the back of good fourth in 25f handicap here 29 days ago. Should give another good account back in trip off 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 2523-44

Keep Wondering^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121

7/2

Wide-margin winner on chase debut at Ffos Las in 2020. Back from 22 months off with creditable fifth in 19f handicap (14/1) at Chepstow 26 days ago, so he's not ruled out if building on that run.

Form: 2331U/5

The Crooner³⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118| D

13/2

Progressive chaser who signed off for last term with stylish win in 21f handicap at Fontwell. Has 10-month absence to overcome, but he's not taken lightly for yard among the winners.

Form: P/67121-

Non-Runners

Geryville²⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: Micky Hammond J: Alain Cawley

Forecasts

Keep Wondering (7/2), Wouldubewell (4/1), Orrisdale (9/2), Geryville (11/2), Up Helly Aa King (6/1), The Crooner (13/2), Thomas Macdonagh (10/1), Town Parks (16/1), Saint Xavier (20/1), Tanarpino (22/1), Informateur (25/1), Minella Till Dawn (40/1), Fine Theatre (66/1)

Lots with chances in a cracking handicap chase. GERYVILLE has made a great start for Micky Hammond and is weighted to go close nudged up just 1 lb for his recent excellent Wetherby second (winner gone in again). Orrisdale also comes here at the top of his game and is greatly feared with the returning The Crooner and Fontwell scorer Wouldubewell both high on the shortlist too.