15:50 Haydock

Saturday 14 February 2026

All12:5513:2814:0514:4015:1515:5016:30

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 2 | 3m 58y | 16 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| D

2023 Albert Bartlett winner who showed his first sign of life for a long time in first-time blinkers (retained here) when second in 10-runner handicap over C&D 4 weeks ago, clear of rest. Now has to back that up.

Form: P0P-P82

Nurse Susan⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

7/1

Back-to-back winner during 2023/24 campaign and firmly back in the groove this season, supplementing her Cheltenham handicap success in 6-runner listed event at Sandown (19.8f) last month. Reverts to handicap company off a much higher mark than previously but further progress possible at this trip.

Form: 1/09-911

Chart Topper¹¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

9/1

Shaped well in handicaps at the Punchestown and Galway Festivals and easy to stick a line through his latest run at Cheltenham in October, pulling up after seemingly clipping heels after 3 out.

Form: 12263-P

Red Dirt Road¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| D

10/1

Relished the step up in trip when bagging a major pot at Sandown (23.5f) last February. Pulled up both outings since, though did shape as if retaining ability on return latest. Remains to be seen which way he goes.

Form: 2/511P-P

Doughmore Bay²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 132

8/1

Built on reappearance promise at the second attempt when ½-length second of 15 to reopposing Go To War in handicap hurdle at Windsor (24f, soft) 27 days ago, deserving extra credit having conceded first run. Must enter calculations.

Form: 227/3P2

Cave Court¹⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr O McGill⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 131| BF

16/1

Dual winner over hurdles last season who is capable fresh, so needs considering back from a 6-month break.

Form: 21472-0

Minella Emperor²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 129

4/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who has shaped with plenty of encouragement all 3 completed starts over hurdles, including when second in 6-runner event at Thurles (22f) latest. Into handicaps now and interesting with fully-fledged rider taking over in the saddle on this first try at 3m.

Form: 51P432

Off The Jury^t1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 128| DWS

8/1

Posted some useful efforts in defeat for Alan King last term, notably when second in EBF Final at Sandown. Changed hands for £250,000 after and placed all 3 starts for new yard, latterly in 12-runner maiden at Ffos Las (20f). One to consider in a first-time tongue strap (also had a breathing op).

Form: 3R2-322

Go To War²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126| D

8/1

Progressive novice for Fergal O'Brien who got back on track with his chasing career quickly shelved with victory in 15-runner handicap at Windsor (3m) last month, seen to good effect under a sound tactical ride. Remains unexposed as a stayer but circumstances unlikely to be so favourable here.

Form: 83P-5P1

Champagne Chic^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 124

8/1

Produced a career best when winning 10-runner handicap hurdle at Wincanton (24.7f, heavy) 30 days ago, suited by emphasis on stamina. Nudged up 6 lb.

Form: 140-621

Stone's Throw⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: James Davies| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 122| D

10/1

Got back on the up when scoring at Southwell in December and progressed again when following up in 5-runner event (3/1) at Doncaster (24.4f, good) later that month, well on top finish. More needed tackling a more competitive handicap in hat-trick bid, however.

Form: 461-P11

Jupiter Des Mottes¹⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 122

20/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who was underwhelming first time up over fences at Carlisle on reappearance in November. Has rejoined former yard ahead of this return to hurdling and remains unexposed.

Form: 1/126-9

Thanksforthehelp^b,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: R P McLernon| T: D Pipe| OR: 122| D

25/1

Produced a career best to land a 25-runner handicap hurdle at Punchestown (19f, good to soft) last April. Yet to fire in 3 runs this season though, including in first-time blinkers at Ascot latest.

Form: 431-775

Found A Diamond^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Shane Markey⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 118| BF

16/1

Showed improved form to resume winning ways on handicap debut at Navan (25f) in December. Ran at least as well from an 8 lb higher mark when third at Fairyhouse subsequently but again hinted at temperament.

Form: 621513

Gwennie May Star^t1,p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 115

12/1

Made it 2 wins from 3 starts for new yard when landing 9-runner handicap hurdle (10/3) at Warwick (25f, soft) 22 days ago, rallying well from 2 out under good ride. Sneaks in at the foot of the weights and still relatively unexposed as a stayer.

Form: P-35141

Non-Runners

Serious Chat⁴⁴

Weight: 10-13| Age: 7

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Minella Emperor (11/2), Nurse Susan (7/1), Champagne Chic (8/1), Go To War (8/1), Doughmore Bay (8/1), Off The Jury (8/1), Chart Topper (10/1), Stone's Throw (10/1), Gwennie May Star (12/1), Red Dirt Road (12/1), Found A Diamond (16/1), Cave Court (16/1), Stay Away Fay (16/1), Jupiter Des Mottes (20/1), Thanksforthehelp (33/1), Serious Chat (50/1)

MINELLA EMPEROR has shaped well on all 3 completed starts over hurdles and surely has an even bigger performance in him now tackling 3m for the first time under a fully-fledged rider. Last-time-out scorers Gwennie May Star and Nurse Susan head up the opposition in an intriguing staying handicap.