15:17 Haydock

Thursday 22 May 2025

All14:1714:4715:1715:4716:1716:5217:22

Betfred 'Nifty 50' Handicap

Off time: 15:18 | Winning time: 1m 12.77s

(8)

March To The Band^p¹⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mulrennan| T: A Watson| OR: 68

16/1

Fair form when fourth at Dundalk on second outing, but making first start since leaving John S. O'Donoghue he finished well held in a Wolverhampton novice (7.2f) in December. Cheekpieces reapplied and could be capable of better now handicapping.

Form: 940-

(12)

Captain Parma²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: James Owen| OR: 68

25/1

Making third start, ran to a similar level as previously when second of 12 in maiden at Wolverhampton (7.2f) 24 days ago, no match for the winner. Improvement required but that's not ruled out as he makes turf/handicap debut.

Form: 432

(2)

Monomyth^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: Ollie Sangster| OR: 65| D

12/1

Winner on handicap debut last year and, having dropped to a career-low mark, bounced back from a couple of lesser efforts (cheekpieces reapplied) when a close third at Windsor (5.1f, good) 17 days ago. Task is now to build on his latest run.

Form: 50-2873

(11)

City Of Strangers²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: I Furtado| OR: 65| BF| D

10/1

Much improved on handicap debut when making all at Redcar (6f, good to firm) in April. Wasn't able to build on that effort in 2 starts the following week, running twice in 2 days, but she could get back on the up given a bit more time ahead of this race.

Form: 45-6146

(9)

Sundiata Keita²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 64

33/1

Promise on first 2 runs in maidens on all-weather last year but returned from 4 months off (gelded) with a low-key last of 8 on handicap debut at Ripon (6f, good to firm) 17 days ago. Needs to leave reappearance run well behind.

Form: 538-8

(6)

Thurso^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 64

5/1

Has shown improved form on his last 2 starts having been gelded, again nearest at the finish when third in handicap at Kempton (6f) 15 days ago. Cheekpieces reapplied and he merits consideration with a likely strong pace to aim at.

Form: 8-77723

(4)

Volendam^h⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 63

8/1

Has stepped forward from debut effort when runner-up in 2 maidens at Newcastle this year, though raced freely back up to 6f on latest outing in February. Needs to find some progress after 3 months off as she switches to turf on handicap bow.

Form: 5-22

(3)

Kisskodi⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 61

3/1

After 6 months off (gelded), left previous form behind on handicap debut when runner-up at Newcastle (6f) in March. Raced wide when sixth of 7 at Catterick (6f, good), so no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 676-26

(5)

What What What^v²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Lewis Chalkley⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 61

50/1

Fitted with visor, opened his account with plenty to spare when making all at Newcastle (5f) in March. However, he failed to repeat that effort when well-beaten fourth of 5 at Musselburgh (5f, good) 20 days ago. Best form so far has been on all-weather.

Form: 4-32414

(10)

Trust Sergei¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S D Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 60| D

5/2

Has been going the right way sent handicapping, off the mark at Wolverhampton (5.1f) in April before following up with a cosy success at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) 19 days ago. Form of both races has been boosted since and he's a major player.

Form: 7-09311

(1)

Bern Rossetti²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 59

11/1

Shaped with promise both starts at 2 yrs and stepped up on reappearance run when third of 5 in handicap at Musselburgh (5f, good) 20 days ago, despite having been slowly away. Could still have more to offer with return to this longer trip likely to suit.

Form: 47-83

Non-Runners

(7)

Coeur Jaune²⁶

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope

Forecasts

Trust Sergei (5/2), Kisskodi (3/1), Thurso (5/1), Volendam (8/1), City Of Strangers (10/1), Bern Rossetti (11/1), Monomyth (12/1), March To The Band (16/1), Coeur Jaune (20/1), Captain Parma (25/1), Sundiata Keita (33/1), What What What (50/1)

TRUST SERGEI has progressed with each of his 3 starts in handicaps, making it back-to-back wins when scoring with a bit in hand at Doncaster last time, so he could be capable of landing the hat-trick. He is taken to see off the challenge of Thurso, who has shown improved form since being gelded, with City of Strangers completing the shortlist.