12:30 Haydock

Monday 30 December 2024

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3515:1015:45

Betfred Nifty 50 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 6m 26.20s

Tiger Jet^h⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: William Shanahan| T: J Candlish| OR: 116| CD

16/1

Right back to best after 6 months off when making a winning stable debut at Cartmel (22f, heavy) in August. Not in same form when fourth of 5 in handicap hurdle at Worcester in September but given a break since and underfoot conditions will hold no fears.

Form: P357-14

Ballymagroarty Boy^b²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: Ben Bromley| T: N J Hawke| OR: 115| C| D

12/1

Course winner who got back on the scoresheet at Ffos Las a year ago and now 4 lb lower in the weights but he's yet to fire this season, coming in seventh of 8 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (23.3f, soft) 20 days ago. Plenty of good efforts to his name around here at least.

Form: 034-787

City Derby^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 114

25/1

Completed a Cartmel 4-timer in staying handicaps this summer before finishing placed at Perth/Aintree. Not suited by drop in trip at Wetherby before poor run at Kelso (22.7f) 22 days ago, possibly feeling the effects of a long campaign (has been on the go since January).

Form: 113249

Bushypark^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 114| CD

9/2

Proved more miss than hit on the back of a C&D victory 12 months ago but responded well to fitting of cheekpieces when runner-up on final start of last season at Kelso (22.7f) in April. Low-key return to action at Lingfield 21 days ago and he needs to leave that well behind.

Form: 15P62-P

Lady In The Park²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 110| BF| D

11/2

Returns to hurdling after a couple of disappointing efforts over the larger obstacles the last twice. On a workable mark and underfoot conditions will hold no fears.

Form: 225-4U5

Schalke¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Smith⁽⁸⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 110

85/40

3-time winner over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies, latterly at Kelso (22.7f) 2 years ago. In the doldrums last year but cemented positive start for new yard when finishing a good second of 9 in handicap hurdle at Bangor (23.2f, heavy) 17 days ago. One to consider.

Form: 888P-32

Clondaw Royale²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Benjamin Macey⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 105

11/4

Winner of a Bangor maiden hurdle last December but struggled switched to chasing and he failed to see things out when seventh of 8 in handicap hurdle at Lingfield (19.5f, soft) 21 days ago, folding before last. Steps back up in trip now.

Form: F-44PP7

Polish^b²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Leah Noreci⁽¹⁰⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 104| D

18/1

Without a win since 2021 and following a low-key start for present connections, he took a step back in the right direction in refitted blinkers when finishing midfield in a 10-runner C&D handicap 26 days ago. Now his task is to build on that.

Form: 2-FP666

Forecasts

Schalke (85/40), Clondaw Royale (11/4), Bushypark (9/2), Lady In The Park (11/2), Ballymagroarty Boy (12/1), Tiger Jet (16/1), Polish (18/1), City Derby (25/1)

SCHALKE cemented the positive start made for his new stable when finishing runner-up in a stronger race at Bangor 17 days ago and well handicapped on old form, he looks to hold sound claims of going one place better. Lady In The Park returned to this sphere and Tiger Jet back from a break for the in-form Jennie Candlish yard are others worth considering.