15:15 Haydock

Saturday 13 May 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:18 | Winning time: 3m 44.4s

Aucunrisque³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: C Gordon| OR: 147| BF| D

16/1

Smart sort produced a valiant front-running performance to land the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February. Unable to replicate that in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but wasted no time getting back to form when 3 lengths third of 9 to Teddy Blue at Plumpton 34 days ago. Needs respecting.

Form: 122103-

Homme Public^p,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 137| D

25/1

Likable sort who resumed winning ways with an improved effort at Huntingdon (15.8f) in January and having not been disgraced at Ascot next time, he quickly returned to his best when second at Bangor (19.5f). Didn't quite see things out at Cheltenham (20.2f) last time and probably remains in form.

Form: 351620-

Parramount^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 134| BF| D

16/1

Fairly useful in bumpers during 2020/21 and had an excellent first season over hurdles last term, winning 3 times, including 2m Fakenham handicap with any amount to spare in March. Did too much too soon at Aintree last time so is better judged on previous form.

Form: 312110-

Teddy Blue³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 132| D

17/2

Free-goer who turned the stables on Aucunrisque from the Betfair Hurdle when winning 9-runner handicap hurdle at Plumpton (15.9f, good) 34 days ago, all out. 4 lb rise fair, but he isn't the most straightforward of rides.

Form: D31361-

Nibiru^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr J L Gleeson⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 129| D

14/1

Returned to form when second in 17-runner handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in February. Ran no sort of race without headgear (back on here) at Aintree since, however.

Form: 11062P-

Onemorefortheroad^p1⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 127| D

20/1

Disappointing on the whole last season but has become well treated as a result and could be a factor if first-time cheekpieces have a positive effect.

Form: 43/4805-

Fruit N Nut²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126| D

28/1

Dual soft-ground bumper winner in 2021 and recorded a third win over hurdles in 2m Newbury handicap in March. Needs to cast aside a lesser run at Aintree subsequently, though.

Form: 301310-

Parisencore²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 126| CD

11/1

C&D winner who ran about as well as could be expected from 3 lb out of the weights when fourth of 10 in Scottish Champion Hurdle (Handicap) at Ayr (2m, good) 3 weeks ago. Has solid each-way claims.

Form: 1/21524-

Byker^p⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Philip Byrnes⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 132| D

7/2

Fairly useful performer on the Flat who ran a blinder in first-time cheekpieces when second of 21 in Fred Winter Juvenile at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft) in March, running on. Nudged up 4 lb but may have more to offer.

Form: 5132-

Hurricane Ali¹⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: J Mackie| OR: 125| C| D

80/1

Genuine type who won 3 times last season and ran another good race when second to Filey Bay at Doncaster on final outing in November. Likely to give his running after a break but vulnerable to better treated rivals.

Form: 383142-

Get Back Get Back^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 125| D

28/1

Jumped better than usual when resuming with impressive success in 2m handicap hurdle at Kempton in November and bounced back to a similar level when short-head second of 9 to Teddy Blue at Plumpton (15.9f) 34 days ago. Possibilities with a repeat if keeping mistakes to a minimum.

Form: 23/4142-

Takeit Easy¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 124| D

33/1

Took advantage of a reduced mark in 9-runner handicap at Chepstow (16f, good, 9/2) 15 days ago, driven out after left in front last. Remains on a good mark following a 2 lb rise but this is much more competitive.

Form: 4/045U1-

Black Poppy²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 124| D

10/1

Proved better than ever when resuming winning ways in 13-runner handicap at Cheltenham (16.8f, good) 24 days ago, well on top finish. That performance is backed up by the clock, so he merits respect up 5 lb.

Form: 12/2731-

Jamacho²²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 124| D

80/1

Has won 3 of his last 4 starts, including 5-runner handicap chase at Uttoxeter (2m) when last seen in October. Faces a stiff task back over hurdles, though.

Form: F/61151-

Washington^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124| D

9/1

Dual novice hurdle winner who ran well in first-time cheekpieces after 4 months off when third in big-field handicap at Aintree (16.5f, good to soft) 29 days ago, despite racing closer to the pace than ideal. Enters calculations.

Form: 13/5P23-

Brentford Hope^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 123| C| D

11/4

Useful Flat performer for Richard Hughes. Changed hands for 90,000 gns and made it 2 from 2 over hurdles for new yard in 2m Huntingdon novice last month, again making all. Capable of better still and looks the type to thrive in big-field handicap.

Form: 22211-

Lunar Sovereign¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: C Gethings| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| D

33/1

Shaped as if retaining all ability on first run since leaving Fergal O'Brien when 4½ lengths sixth of 9 to Takeit Easy in 2m handicap at Chepstow 15 days ago, moving into contention smoothly before a lack of sharpness told. Eased a further 3 lb.

Form: 1133/46-

Forecasts

Brentford Hope (11/4), Byker (7/2), Teddy Blue (17/2), Washington (9/1), Black Poppy (10/1), Parisencore (11/1), Nibiru (14/1), Aucunrisque (16/1), Parramount (16/1), Onemorefortheroad (20/1), Homme Public (25/1), Fruit N Nut (28/1), Get Back Get Back (28/1), Takeit Easy (33/1), Lunar Sovereign (33/1), Jamacho (80/1), Hurricane Ali (80/1)

The one who appeals most is smart Flat performer BRENTFORD HOPE, who is going the right way over hurdles for his new yard and has the qualities to raise his game further now pitched into a stronger contest. Byker and Black Poppy head the opposition in another competitive renewal of this long-established event.