14:00 Haydock

Friday 30 December 2022

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

Smalley Decorators Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 6m 0.0s

Ubetya^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 130

10/1

Gained first success over fences when making all at Perth in April on final start for Paul Nicholls. Ran up to best when second of 5 in handicap at Bangor (20.3f) last month and he can give another good account.

Form: 2341-32

Clan Legend^t²⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 128| C

16/1

Likeable veteran who made a creditable reappearance when runner-up at Ayr (24.1f) in November. However, not in the same form at Aintree next time when bidding to win the corresponding race for the third year in a row.

Form: 3142-29

Chinwag^p1,t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 128

11/1

Largely progressive over hurdles and scored over fences at Ffos Las and Plumpton last term. After 8 months off, failed to stay when fourth of 7 in handicap chase at Lingfield (23.5f) last time. Major player back down in trip with cheekpieces added.

Form: 2131P-4

Peejaybee³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: R Spencer| OR: 127

3/1

Strong traveller who progressed well over hurdles last term, scoring 3 times at up to 2m4f. After 9 months off, was given a considerate introduction to chasing in novice at Carlisle (15.9f) last month. Open to improvement.

Form: 32115-5

Maypole Class²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127

33/1

Took well to fences in 2020/21, winning handicaps at Bangor and Fakenham. Pulled up next 4 starts, though, before bouncing back with success at Carlisle (2m4f) in April. Didn't recover after mistake 2 out at Exeter on return. Others more persuasive.

Form: PP/PP1-9

Easy As That⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126

9/2

Dual bumper winner who made winning handicap hurdle debut at Chepstow (19.4f) in February 2021. After 21 months off (had wind op), jumped sketchily when beaten in match on chase bow at Ffos Las (2m) in November. Can do better back up in trip.

Form: 11241/2

Young Bull²⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington| OR: 125

7/2

Won 3 times over hurdles in 2019 and improved form when placed in handicap chases at Uttoxeter/Ascot in 2020. Having missed last year, some encouragement on both starts over fences earlier this year. Capable of going well on return.

Form: 1232/34-

Thomas Macdonagh^b,t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 123

10/1

Sole success over fences came in 3-runner event at Catterick in early-2021 and, after another win op, made little impact on hurdles reappearance at Haydock last month. Others look stronger.

Form: 7P235-4

Sirwilliamwallace⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 122| D

10/1

Had been proving expensive to follow but, back down to his last winning mark, recorded a second success over fences at Kelso (21.6f) in November. Task is now to build on that effort back up 3 lb.

Form: 6/3P2-31

Luckofthedraw²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: T Bulgin| OR: 119

28/1

Successful in handicap chases at Fontwell and Huntingdon last season, though ended the campaign with a couple of below-par efforts. May have needed his return over hurdles at Leicester, but needs to get back on track.

Form: 22254-6

Mister Bells²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 108

16/1

Fair chase winner in Ireland for Paul Nolan, but below form during the summer. Fared better on his stable debut at Newcastle in November and followed up that effort with a creditable third at Sedgefield (21.1f) earlier this month. More needed.

Form: 276843

Forecasts

Peejaybee (3/1), Young Bull (7/2), Easy As That (9/2), Ubetya (10/1), Thomas Macdonagh (10/1), Sirwilliamwallace (10/1), Chinwag (11/1), Mister Bells (16/1), Clan Legend (16/1), Luckofthedraw (28/1), Maypole Class (33/1)

CHINWAG was better than the bare result on his return last month, travelling well before failing to stay the longer trip, so he can get back to winning ways dropped back in distance with cheekpieces on for the first time. Easy As That should benefit from going over further on only his second start over fences and is feared most, ahead of Ubetya.