12:30 Haydock

Friday 30 December 2022

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Betfred Nifty Fifty Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 6m 11.00s

Harjo^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 116| D

10/3

Irish point winner made a promising Rules debut when second at Carlisle in October. Perhaps unsuited by sharper track at Uttoxeter last time and should progress now handicapping over a longer trip, with his opening mark looking workable.

Form: F1-23

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Sacre Coeur^h²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 115

20/1

Hurdle/chase winner in France. Not disgraced when sixth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (23.3f, soft, 10/1) on return 24 days ago but others are preferred for win purposes.

Form: 2F2F0-6

Ballymagroarty Boy²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Tom Buckley| T: N J Hawke| OR: 115| C

7/1

Sole career came at this course. Produced his best effort of the season when second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (23.3f, soft) 24 days ago and should be in the mix again.

Form: 732/662

Crossing The Bar^t1⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam Harrison| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 114

28/1

Won at Ffos Las for Philip Hobbs last season but produced a lacklustre display over 20f on stable debut at Worcester last time. Bit to prove now.

Form: 43P1P-0

Fleurman^p1⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Lewis Stones| T: O Murphy| OR: 113

28/1

Market Rasen juvenile winner last term and didn't shape too badly on return from summer break when fifth of 6 in handicap hurdle at Fontwell (19.2f, soft) 56 days ago, tying up only late. Up in trip. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 3132-5

Golden Cosmos⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Luke Scott⁽⁶⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 112

6/1

Hit the frame a couple of times for Philip Fenton last winter and stepped forward from his yard debut when third of 8 in handicap hurdle (33/1) at Ascot (24.4f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Thorough stayer may find a few too quick again.

Form: 9240-53

Apple Away²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: P W Wadge⁽⁸⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 111| D

14/1

Won mares novice on Rules debut at Bangor and improved her form when third in a stronger event at Kelso last time. Opening mark is reasonable and she could have a say.

Form: 241-163

Happy Hollow^p²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: William Shanahan⁽³⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 111

40/1

Runner-up twice off higher marks than this during the first half of last season. Brought down early last time but there wasn't too much encouragement on his return at Uttoxeter last month and others make more appeal.

Form: 2P54-6B

Shighness⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 107

9/2

Improved for the switch to handicaps when winning 5-runner event at Market Rasen (23.1f, heavy) 43 days ago. 6 lb higher in the weights but holds solid claims again.

Form: 13614-1

Mr Harp³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽³⁾| T: T Gallagher| OR: 104

6/1

Mixed record last season and shaped as if needing the run when fifth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Lingfield (23f, good to soft, 9/1) 36 days ago. Still well weighted on his best form, so interesting to see if he attracts any support.

Form: 55P4P-5

Lily Glitters³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Godfrey| T: H D Daly| OR: 104| D

11/2

Resumed progress when winning 8-runner handicap hurdle (9/4) at Ludlow (23.8f, good to soft) 30 days ago. This company is tougher but she's respected from 5 lb higher mark.

Form: 21-3241

Forecasts

Harjo (10/3), Shighness (9/2), Lily Glitters (11/2), Golden Cosmos (6/1), Mr Harp (6/1), Ballymagroarty Boy (7/1), Apple Away (14/1), Sacre Coeur (20/1), Crossing The Bar (28/1), Fleurman (28/1), Happy Hollow (40/1)

BALLYMAGROARTY BOY missed all of last season but proved he retains all ability when a good second at Uttoxeter and he is fancied to go one better here. Handicap debutant Harjo is interesting, with last-time-out winner Shighness also on the shortlist.