15:40 Haydock

Tuesday 30 December 2025

All12:3513:0513:3514:0514:3515:0515:40

Betfred 'Happy New Year' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 44.45s

Brentford Hope^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Megan Fox⁽⁷⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 135| CD

13/8

Smart performer at his best and final win of his 3 victories registered during 2023/24 campaign came over this C&D off 5 lb higher. Not at his best so far this season (initially tried over fences), but showed enough back hurdling at Cheltenham recently to suggest that he still has plenty to offer.

Form: 248-446

Bucephalus^t,p1¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130| D

12/1

Likeable front-runner who ended last term on a high, recording back-to-back wins at Newbury and Chepstow. However, hit pretty hard by the handicapper for that brace and has struggled both starts so far this season. Now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: F211-64

Serious Challenge⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127| D

13/8

Borderline smart on the Flat in Ireland and progressive over hurdles when rattling off a hat-trick of maiden/novice company last season. Excuses both starts since returning to action in October and he's of strong interest eased in class here. Yard also saddles Stoner's Choice.

Form: 1114-4P

Geromino^t⁵⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| D

8/1

Was at the top of his game when bagging back-to-back handicap hurdles at Doncaster a couple of years ago and by no means disgraced at Aintree on latest start in May 2024. Resumes on a potentially handy mark and while a 19-month absence is naturally a concern, he is well worth a second look.

Form: U1190/4-

Col Du Pre'³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 123

22/1

Fairly useful on the Flat and over hurdles in France before changing hands for €80,000 last November. However, sent off at 50/1 and showed next to nothing when unseating rider on British debut at Newbury last month, tailed off when unshipping Charlie Deutsch at the third-last.

Form: 414-U

Stoner's Choice^t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 123| D

7/1

Has yet to fire this season and while his mark is on the slide (now 7 lb lower than when second in a competitive Kempton handicap in February), this 10-y-o needs to bounce back in a major way.

Form: 20-0560

Rauzan^p³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 117| D

22/1

Fairly useful at best, but well held final run for Eoin Doyle in September (subsequently sold for £11,000) and hasn't troubled the judge in couple of runs for present connections.

Form: 8-54095

Sun Lady Marine²¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: Paula Smith| OR: 117| BF

66/1

Successful over hurdles in France in July 2024 and picked up for €25,556 after narrowly losing out in a claimer at Compiegne when last seen in May. Not easy to assess and the market may prove instructive ahead of this debut for new connections.

Form: 55P8-32

Forecasts

Serious Challenge (13/8), Brentford Hope (13/8), Stoner's Choice (7/1), Geromino (8/1), Bucephalus (12/1), Rauzan (22/1), Col Du Pre' (22/1), Sun Lady Marine (66/1)

Clearly amiss in the Greatwood at Cheltenham last time, SERIOUS CHALLENGE is taken to get back on track by bagging this prize. He didn't shape badly when too keen over 2½m on return at Aintree and, judged on his exploits as a novice last term, he surely has races in him in 2m handicaps off this sort of mark. Brentford Hope rates the clear main danger ahead of Geromino, who will be a live each-way player if ready to roll following a lengthy absence.