14:20 Haydock

Saturday 25 November 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2015:0015:35

Betfair 'Serial Winners' Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 59.80s

Bold Endeavour^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| D

11/1

Won twice in this sphere as a novice for Laura Morgan and successful first 2 starts over fences for Nicky Henderson last season. Posted some good efforts back hurdling in the spring and made a solid return from 6 months off when third of 11 at Newbury recently, although Emitom was ahead in second.

Form: 1252-23

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Wakool^v1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 140| BF| CD

25/1

Won Grade 2 Rendlesham over C&D in February but it was a weak renewal and he's been comfortably held in handicaps in his 2 hurdle outings since. First-time visor replaces regular cheekpieces. Looks vulnerable under a big weight.

Form: 72410-6

Howlingmadmurdock²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 140

14/1

Rapidly developed into a useful hurdler last season, winning a Plumpton novice and Sandown handicap before a good fifth of 15 in 3m Grade 1 novice at Aintree in April. Unexposed profile provides the hope for better again this term.

Form: 1/1215-

Gowel Road³⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140

14/1

Very useful hurdler in 2021/122. Absent since easily winning a small-field Ascot handicap chase 13 months ago but has been given a bit of a chance by the handicapper and returns with his yard in fine form.

Form: 1327/21-

Crambo^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 139

5/1

Dual bumper winner who took his hurdle record to 4-6 when readily seeing off the reopposing Santos Blue in 2½m Aintree handicap on reappearance 4 weeks ago. Remains of interest after a 6 lb rise and this longer trip could suit him.

Form: 1P117-1

Sholokjack²²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

33/1

Dual hurdler winner in 2021/22. Useful effort to win a 2½m Lingfield handicap chase last winter but he had jumping issues in that sphere (fell on 2 of 4 starts) and now back hurdling on reappearance. Could have more to come in this sphere and 3m promises to suit.

Form: 16/F16F-

Santos Blue^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 129

11/1

Progressive sort who won his first 3 handicaps last season. Shaped well when 2¼ lengths second of 8 to Crambo in 2½m Aintree handicap on reappearance 4 weeks ago, keeping on despite usual rider Ben Sutton dropping his whip. Respected.

Form: 71113-2

Pyramid Place^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Reed| T: S Hosie| OR: 128

50/1

Proved better than ever when landing the traditionally strong Silver Trophy at Chepstow (19.5f, heavy) for Milton Harris in October. Respectable 3 lengths fifth of 8 at Plumpton (20.5f) since. Now under the care of Syd Hosie. First attempt at 3m.

Form: 131315

Emitom¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127| CD

8/1

Grade 2 winning hurdler earlier in his career who justified support when making a winning start for the Alan King yard over 3m at Newbury in March. Bettered that when runner-up at the same venue on his reappearance 16 days ago and should be very competitive from an identical mark.

Form: PP/4P1-2

Slate Lane³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 127

11/4

Much improved for Emmet Mullins, readily making it 3-3 for the stable in 3¼m Newton Abbot handicap in September. The handicapper hasn't missed him with a further 14 lb rise but there's a good chance he still has plenty more to come for this yard.

Form: 00D-111

Dubrovnik Harry^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 125

15/2

Third in the competitive EBF Final at Sandown in his novice hurdle season. Failed to progress in a light campaign last term but more encouraging signs when fourth of 20 on 3m Cheltenham reappearance 4 weeks ago.

Form: 23/3P6-4

Fine Margin²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 124

22/1

Showed promise in maiden/novice hurdles at up to 2½m for Matthew Daly in Ireland last season. Has been the subject of a very interesting trainer change and it'll be fascinating to see how much strength there is behind him in the market now handicapping over a longer trip on his reappearance.

Form: 555429-

Lord Snootie²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 123| D

11/1

Improver when sent handicapping last season, including a 3¼m win at Warwick. Yet to be asked for his effort when all but coming down at the second last on his Galway reappearance 4 weeks ago. Remains capable of better and an interesting contender.

Form: 74125-7

Schalke²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 123

50/1

Ended last season in fine form, scoring at Kelso before a good fourth at Sandown (23f). Ran as if needing the run on his Ayr reappearance but he'll need to have come on a lot to get competitive in this stronger race.

Form: 64214-8

Goshhowposh³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121

12/1

Promise in each of his three outings in maiden/novice hurdles last winter and improved to make a successful handicap debut/reappearance at Exeter (23f, soft) last month. More needed up 4 lb in this deeper race but unexposed profile provides hope for better.

Form: 243-1

Non-Runners

Carbon King²¹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 6

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Slate Lane (11/4), Crambo (5/1), Dubrovnik Harry (15/2), Emitom (8/1), Bold Endeavour (11/1), Lord Snootie (11/1), Santos Blue (11/1), Goshhowposh (12/1), Gowel Road (14/1), Howlingmadmurdock (14/1), Fine Margin (22/1), Wakool (25/1), Sholokjack (33/1), Schalke (50/1), Pyramid Place (50/1), Carbon King (66/1)

SLATE LANE came clear with one who has plundered a couple of decent prizes over fences since when completing a hat-trick at Newton Abbot in September so even a 14 lb rise may not prevent the Emmet Mullins-trained 5-y-o from going in again. Emitom was nicely clear of the rest when second on his Newbury reappearance so he's much respected off the same mark. Last month's Aintree 1-2 Crambo and Santos Blue are also on the shortlist along with Fine Margin, a new recruit for the Willie Mullins yard.