16:25 Haydock

Saturday 18 February 2023

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

Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 10.2s

Scarface³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 125

14/1

Showed fairly useful form over hurdles at the beginning of 2022 and returned to win novice events at Plumpton and Ascot (21.5f) in the autumn. Failed to give his running in Lanzarote Hurdle on handicap debut at Kempton last month, so bounce back needed.

Form: 227-11P

Collectors Item³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

15/2

Showed plenty when runner-up on sole start in bumpers last term and outpointed multiple subsequent winner Hugos New Horse on hurdles bow/return at Chepstow (2m, good). Well held in a Cheltenham Grade 2 but knuckled down well to resume winning ways at Kempton (24.6f) last time. May do better still.

Form: 22-151

De Legislator⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| D

12/1

Shirocco gelding won his sole start in Irish points and is 2-2 in novice hurdles for new connections, latterly seeing off 6 rivals over 23f at Kelso. This is a much stiffer task but he's the type to go on progressing.

Form: 1-11

Dr Kananga^t⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 134| D

25/1

Progressive chaser last season, winning 3 times. After an encouraging return over hurdles and a subsequent breathing operation, failed to meet expectations when well held in Becher Chase at Aintree last time. Back over hurdles.

Form: 5112-20

Feel Good Inc³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N P Mulholland

9/1

Shaped with promise in a bumper that is working out and looked potentially useful when making a winning start over hurdles at Doncaster (20.8f) 9 weeks later, staying on well. Will stay 3m and better to come.

Form: F-31

Makin'yourmindup³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128| BF| D

17/2

Left hurdles debut form well behind when landing a 19.5f Chepstow maiden on return. Further progress when scoring at the same course upped to 23.6f in December and ran to a similar level when second of 4 to Collectors Item at Kempton last time. Can't be dismissed with further improvement possible.

Form: 362-112

Mr Vango⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: M Bradstock| OR: 125| CD

15/2

Won sole start in points and built on a successful hurdling debut over C&D when runner-up under a penalty at Hereford (25.5f, soft) 59 days ago, jumping soundly and battling well. Open to further improvement and well worth a shot at this level.

Form: 1-12

Passing Well¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 127

11/2

Left Robert Tyner for £185,000 and he advanced his form when landing 12-runner maiden at Uttoxeter starting out for Jamie Snowden in November. Found the company too hot in the Challow at Newbury but comfortably defied a penalty back in calmer waters at Newcastle (20.3f) 18 days ago. Upped in trip.

Form: 6U2-141

Saint Palais¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 145| BF| D

8/1

Progressed into a smart chaser last season, winning 4 of his 5 starts. However, proved bitterly disappointing returned to hurdling after 8 months off at Bangor in November, so has questions to answer.

Form: 11141-5

Serious Operator^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120| D

50/1

Successful in 2 of his 3 starts in points and made a winning start over hurdles in likeable fashion at Kelso (20.9f) in October. Well held in the face of a stiffer task at Cheltenham but showed improved form on the back of a breathing op/break to resume winning ways at Newcastle (20.3) last time.

Form: 461-151

Supreme Gift²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: H D Daly| OR: 125| D

8/1

Irish point winner. Placed in bumpers last season and has won all 3 completed starts over hurdles, including 15-runner novice at Catterick (19.3f) 24 days ago. Step up in trip ought to suit and he's open to further improvement.

Form: 63-1U11

The King Of Ryhope¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

9/2

Successful sole outing in Irish points in 2020 and made a promising start over hurdles when second at Carlisle (2½m, heavy) in October, having been well backed. Confirmed that promise when going one better in ready fashion at Exeter (21.6f) 3 months on and remains open to improvement.

Form: 1/21

Non-Runners

Captain Westie³⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: James Moffatt J: Charlotte Jones

Forecasts

The King Of Ryhope (9/2), Passing Well (11/2), Collectors Item (15/2), Mr Vango (15/2), Supreme Gift (8/1), Saint Palais (8/1), Makin'yourmindup (17/2), Feel Good Inc (9/1), De Legislator (12/1), Scarface (14/1), Dr Kananga (25/1), Captain Westie (25/1), Serious Operator (50/1)

An ultra-competitive renewal of this Grade 2. MR VANGO, a C&D winner, went down fighting under a penalty to one who's unbeaten under Rules at Hereford in December and looks well worth a shot at this level on that evidence, so he's given the tentative vote. The King of Ryhope impressed at Exeter and is second choice, closely followed by Supreme Gift and Feel Good Inc.