15:15 Haydock

Saturday 21 December 2024

All11:4512:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Betfred Merry Christmas Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 35.65s

Supremely West^b⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R Newland| OR: 127| BF

7/2

Won a brace of novice hurdles last autumn and showed better form in defeat in handicaps thereafter. Clear of the remainder with highly progressive rival at Uttoxeter on penultimate outing. Better than result at Hexham on return and makes the most appeal.

Form: 12222-3

The Imposter^t,v²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 125| D

14/1

Made it a remarkable 9 wins in 10 starts when seeing off 5 rivals at Chepstow (heavy) last December. However, pulled up in Betfair Stayers' Handicap here on his belated return a month ago and looks best watched at present.

Form: 11/111-P

Castle Rushen^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 125

11/2

Finally came good in a handicap when shading a tight finish on his 2½m Carlisle reappearance in November and shaped as if still in form when fourth faced with tough conditions over C&D last time. Not one to write off.

Form: 3/756-14

Magical King^p⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 119

11/4

Creditable third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (24.7f, good, 5/1) 42 days ago, unsuited by emphasis on stamina. Should give a good account if jumping holds up again.

Form: 53512-3

Wasdell Dundalk²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 116| D

50/1

Done well since joining this yard, bagging a fifth success since last summer when landing 5-runner handicap chase at Carlisle in October. Pulled up there since and returns to hurdling now.

Form: 6141FP

Champ Royal^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 115| D

33/1

Much improved since joining Susan Corbett, scoring 4 times (at up to 25.3f) over hurdles last season. Hasn't taken to chasing but can't be written off returning to this discipline.

Form: 1122-4P

Our Sam^t⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 114

20/1

Bagged a hat-trick of victories last summer but hasn't been in top form so far this term and fell at Hexham last time.

Form: 26-504F

Stratton Oakmont⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Godfrey| T: K Woollacott| OR: 113| D

4/1

Reliable sort who resumed winning ways in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Exeter (23f, heavy) in March. Solid return when third at Ffos Las and could be on the premises again.

Form: 12221-3

Half Track²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 105

6/1

Well handicapped on best form and took a firm step back in the right direction when second at Carlisle last time, so warrants strong consideration.

Form: UP4/U32

Non-Runners

My Bobby Dazzler⁴⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: Mrs M Rowley J: Callum Pritchard

Spike Jones³⁹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: S Drinkwater J: Ned Fox

Forecasts

Magical King (11/4), Supremely West (7/2), Stratton Oakmont (4/1), Castle Rushen (11/2), Half Track (6/1), My Bobby Dazzler (13/2), Spike Jones (15/2), The Imposter (14/1), Our Sam (20/1), Champ Royal (33/1), Wasdell Dundalk (50/1)

SUPREMELY WEST was well clear with Gwennie May Boy (subsequently won big handicap at Aintree) on his final outing last season and shaped as if he'd returned in top form when third at Hexham 70 days ago, so he looks the one to beat for all that several others arrive in good order. Half Track and Magical King are both obvious dangers.