12:55 Haydock

Saturday 20 December 2025

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

Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap Hurdle

3YO plus | Class 3 | 1m 7f 144y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 130| D

Useful on his day for Nicky Henderson, but winless since 2022 and there have been few positives to take from his 4 efforts for present connections.

Form: 40-90P0

Milldam^h,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 129| CD

5/1

Better than ever when landing this race off 4 lb lower 12 months ago, but a repeat appears unlikely judged on a poor reappearance display back here 28 days ago.

Form: 11/410-9

Joltin N Jiving³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120

13/2

£40,000 Irish point winner who confirmed Rules debut promise when landing a 17f Carlisle novice hurdles in good style in February. Unsurprisingly struggled in an Aintree Grade 1 next time, but back on track when second on return/handicap bow at Kelso (16.2f, heavy). Each-way chance off same mark.

Form: C/1218-2

Cobbler's Boy^t²²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 119| D

9/4

Cost £115,000 after finishing runner-up in an Irish point and, having shaped well when second on hurdles debut in March, he went one better when landing the odds in first-time tongue strap (also first run following a wind op) at Warwick (2m, good) in May. Further progress likely now handicapping.

Form: 2/82-1

Saligo Bay³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: S England| OR: 118| C| D

7/2

Likeable type arrives in the form of his life, making it four wins from last 5 starts (including a victory on the Flat) when successful in an 8-runner handicap hurdle at Wetherby (2m, soft) last month, getting the better of an unexposed type. Should go well bidding for a hat-trick off 6 lb higher.

Form: 231311

How About No⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 117| D

12/1

Fairly useful winner on Flat for Joseph O'Brien and opened hurdles account in a Catterick novice (15.7f, good to soft) on second start for new yard in January. Performed above market expectations (66/1) when fifth of 13 on return/handicap debut in this sphere at Carlisle and he's one to consider.

Form: 22351-5

Irish Blaze^h³⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 116| D

14/1

Proved more miss than hit over fences last year and failed to complete both starts in handicap hurdles during what turned out to be a truncated 2024/25 campaign. On the upside, this Irish import makes debut for new connections on a potentially handy mark and needs a close look in the betting.

Form: 0/046UP-

King Ulanda^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 114| BF| D

10/1

Betting than ever when winning impressively at Carlisle (17.2f, good to firm) on return following breathing operation. Hit the frame twice since, latterly on softer ground at Huntingdon, and will be a player if he goes to post for this. Engaged 2.25 Ascot Friday.

Form: 133-124

Ip Up²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 113| D

8/1

Well treated on peak form and has made the frame both starts since returning from a break/wind op, latterly finishing third in an 8-runner Leicester handicap (15.5f, soft). Likely to be on the premises once again.

Form: 6433-43

Forecasts

Cobbler's Boy (5/2), Saligo Bay (7/2), Milldam (5/1), Joltin N Jiving (5/1), Ip Up (10/1), How About No (12/1), King Ulanda (12/1), No Ordinary Joe (20/1), Irish Blaze (20/1)

Despite misgivings in respect of how much ability he retains, IRISH BLAZE is nevertheless tempting on his first run for the in-form Nicky Richards yard. The 9-y-o ended his time with Cian Collins on a downer, but resumes here for new connections on a mark that he'll surely be able to exploit should the change of scenery help spark a revival. The unexposed Cobbler's Boy is an obvious danger now pitched into a handicap, while the hat-trick seeking Saligo Bay is also accorded respect.