15:18 Haydock

Saturday 18 February 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1815:5016:2517:00

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:18 | Winning time: 6m 11.70s

Party Business^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 139

10/1

Caught the eye when fifth in last season's Martin Pipe and confirmed promise of that run when narrow winner over extended 3m at Aintree final start, finding extra. Creditable C&D effort in May and likely he'll come on for his return at Sandown 2 weeks ago.

Form: F551-49

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Mill Green³¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138

14/1

Fairly low-mileage 11-y-o who posted career-best display when third in Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in March and similar form when filling same spot behind Party Business in Grade 3 handicap at Aintree final start. Eased 2 lb ahead of return.

Form: 1FU233-

Get A Tonic²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

13/2

Won 3 times in a productive first season over hurdles last term and very good start to present campaign when second in a premier C&D handicap in November. Creditable midfield effort at Huntingdon (25f) 3 weeks ago and not out of things from this mark.

Form: 221-246

Jerrash¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: G & J Moore| OR: 132

11/2

Dual winner (at up to 21.6f) as a novice who disappointed final start at Sandown in March but firmly back on track following 11 months off when successful at Plumpton (25f) 3 weeks ago, hitting the line strongly. Unexposed at staying trips and of interest again.

Form: 31310-1

Onagatheringstorm^p1,t⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127| DWS

10/1

Maiden/novice hurdle winner who, on back of wind op, twice fared creditably in handicaps at around 2½m during the autumn, fourth at Wetherby (19.7f) latterly. Return to 3m a plus back from a break/wind op.

Form: 3250-34

The Changing Man²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 126| BF

4/1

Completed a handicap hat-trick when easily scoring at Uttoxeter (23f) in November and progressed further in filling runners-up spot both starts since, latterly behind Itchy Feet at Huntingdon (25f) 3 weeks ago. Can go well again.

Form: 51-1122

Johnson's Blue⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 123

17/2

Front-runner who won 6 times in a very productive 2022, the latest at Catterick (25f) in November. Perhaps unsuited by the drop back to 2½m when a below-form sixth at Fakenham on New Year's Day. Not the type to stay down for long.

Form: 111416

Brandy Mcqueen¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 121| D

6/1

Real success story in staying handicaps this term, gaining fourth career success in much warmer race than previously at Musselburgh (23.8f) 13 days ago, closed down only late on. 5 lb higher now but he's a likeable type and fancied to give another good account.

Form: 422211

Hardy Bloke^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 121

9/2

Remains a maiden but produced best effort yet (on first completed start at 3m) when third in big-field Leopardstown handicap 2 weeks ago, keeping on behind another pair of improving types. Represents a shrewd outfit and interesting he's pitched in here.

Form: 40-54U3

Forecasts

The Changing Man (4/1), Hardy Bloke (9/2), Jerrash (11/2), Brandy Mcqueen (6/1), Get A Tonic (13/2), Johnson's Blue (17/2), Party Business (10/1), Onagatheringstorm (10/1), Mill Green (14/1)

Plenty to ponder despite the relatively small field but Irish-raider HARDY BLOKE arrives on the back of his best effort yet when third over this sort of trip at Leopardstown 2 weeks ago and, representing a very shrewd outfit, he could well be worth siding with to come out on top. Plumpton-scorer Jerrash and The Changing Man head up the dangers, whilst Party Business is also worth keeping an eye on.