12:55 Haydock

Saturday 21 January 2023

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1015:40

Simon Marsh Memorial Handicap Chase

5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 67y | 10 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126| D

Scored twice over this sort of trip last term and ran right up to best when second at Sandown on return last month. Well below that level at Wetherby since, though, and others look better treated.

Form: 1164-27

Destined To Shine^t⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 126| C| D

Won at Chepstow (16.1f) on final start last season and back from 11 months off when creditable second of 5 in handicap chase at Wetherby (15.2f, soft, 10/1) 7 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 2/3521-2

Sholokjack⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

Won sole start in Irish points and bagged 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles last season. Fell early on at Uttoxeter on chasing bow last month but remains of interest.

Form: 1/116-F

Not Available^b,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 124| D

Back to winning ways in 7-runner handicap chase at Wincanton (15.7f, soft, 7/2) 14 days ago. This is tougher but he remains on a workable mark.

Form: 543P31

Joke Dancer^p⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 124| CD

Landed a pair of 17f Kelso handicaps in the spring and made a creditable return from 5-month break when runner-up at Wetherby in October. Not been in same form since, however.

Form: 4-14263

Sao^h,t⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 123| D

Three-time winner in 2020/21 over this sort of trip. Not managed to get his head in front since but is now 10 lb below his last winning mark and is worth a second look in the market.

Form: B4-3365

Wheelbahri²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 116| D

Enjoyed a terrific 2021/22 season, completing a 4-timer in handicaps earlier this year. Thriving again in current campaign, winning a pair of Kelso handicaps (both 17.1f) and is a big player here.

Form: 112-611

Out On The Tear³⁰⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Fergus Gregory| T: S Allwood| OR: 115| DWS

Pretty decisive winner of 2m Catterick handicap last term and placed on each of his next 3 starts. Should be in the mix if fully tuned-up following 10 months off (has had a wind op in the interim).

Form: 451332-

Oscars Leader^v²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 115| CD

Took well to fences last season, winning handicaps over this C&D and Newcastle. Limited impact in couple of outings this term, though.

Form: 1U13-3P

Est Illic^p1³³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 107| D

Dual handicap chase winner at Bangor/Doncaster in 2020 but has rather gone backwards since and is hard to recommend.

Form: 36/P46P-

Forecasts

Not Available (7/2), Wheelbahri (4/1), Sholokjack (4/1), Destined To Shine (5/1), Heartbreak Kid (10/1), Out On The Tear (10/1), Joke Dancer (12/1), Sao (14/1), Oscars Leader (16/1), Est Illic (33/1)

WHEELBAHRI boasts a superb record over fences and remains on a workable mark. He is taken to score again. Sholokjack and Destined To Shine rate the principal dangers.