16:25 Haydock

Saturday 30 March 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Mick Sziler Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 14.5s

Rock Steady Eddie¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 110

25/1

Placed in a couple of points and going the right way over hurdles, improving again when second in a novice at Hexham last time. Has been handed a stiff opening mark, though.

Form: 73-3632

Keable^h1³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 108

20/1

Promise when in the frame in maiden hurdles at the start of 2023. Disappointing on both starts in handicaps but might strip fitter for latest outing. Hooded for the first time.

Form: 6/426-4

Cream Of The West¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: N W Alexander| OR: 108

7/1

Took a step forward when making a winning handicap debut at Ayr (21.4f, soft) in December and has continued on the up since, just pushed out to land a 5-runner event at Hexham last time. Leading claims.

Form: 60-3121

Hill Of Tara²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 106| CD

7/1

Much improved sent handicapping this season, winning 4 times from 6 starts, latest at Hereford (25.5f) in January. Bit below form on completed start since but had excuses and his stable is going well.

Form: 1211F3

One Big Bang⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 106| D

6/4

6/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, pulled up in novice hurdle at Punchestown (23.7f, soft) 54 days ago. First run for yard after leaving P. Tobin and has joined bang-in-form yard, so very much one to monitor in the betting.

Form: 50-434P

Spitalfield³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 104

12/1

Unexposed hurdler who was progressing prior to latest outing at Taunton. Too soon to write him off.

Form: U33436

Best Life³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 100| D

17/2

First past the post on his second run between the flags and best effort to date over hurdles when third in a novice at Doncaster last time. Step up in trip should suit on handicap debut, so merits respect.

Form: 41-493

Jalisco Star^t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: L Horsfall| OR: 99

8/1

Career best when winning 8-runner handicap hurdle at Bangor (23.2f, heavy, 11/1) 7 days ago, driven out. Should go well again if the race doesn't come too soon.

Form: 855331

Fiveafterfour^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 98| BF| D

14/1

Point winner and much more like it when making a winning handicap debut at Ayr in February. Solid effort there next time and might not have reached her limit.

Form: 1-84313

Awesome Foursome^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 98

11/1

3/1, good second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (19.6f, heavy) 13 days ago. Back up in trip. Not discounted.

Form: 265232

Non-Runners

Both Barrels³³

Weight: 11-13| Age: 6

T: D W Whillans J: Craig Nichol

Forecasts

One Big Bang (6/4), Both Barrels (6/1), Hill Of Tara (7/1), Cream Of The West (7/1), Jalisco Star (8/1), Best Life (17/2), Awesome Foursome (11/1), Spitalfield (12/1), Fiveafterfour (14/1), Keable (20/1), Rock Steady Eddie (25/1)

CREAM OF THE WEST is progressive and had something to spare at Hexham recently, so he's preferred to fellow last-time-out winner Jalisco Star. One Big Bang is another one to note starting out for a shrewd, in-form stable.