13:35 Haydock

Saturday 30 December 2017

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Racing UK On The Go Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 6m 20.6s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Isaacstown Lad⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 132| BF| CD

9/2

Goes well on bottomless ground and was still going well when falling here over C&D last week, when sent off as favourite in a similar race. Stable in very good form and a clear round should see him right in the mix.

Form: 3424-3F

Another Bill⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: N G Richards| OR: 130| D

20/1

Yet to win a handicap over hurdles and comes here after a 37L defeat on chase debut at Carlisle. Handles heavy ground and stays this far, but this dual Kelso novices' hurdle winner does have a little bit to prove.

Form: 511F6-8

Top Ville Ben^h²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 130

13/2

Reeled off hat-trick in bumper/two novices' hurdles to begin his career in style last season. Despite not winning he has run well in all three handicap starts this term. Likely to stay, has won on heavy and enters calculations despite 3lb nudge up.

Form: 2F4-632

Fingerontheswitch^p,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr James King⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 127| D

5/1

Ran well from this mark when 8L runner-up at Ffos Las (soft) last month. However, there has to be concern about his ability to handle bottomless conditions, given that he has been pulled out on heavy before and was well beaten on it here last time.

Form: 25P-P26

Dandy Duke¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 126

9/2

In tremendous form since his return from a lengthy absence, winning at Chepstow (2m7½f, heavy) and last time at Southwell (3m, soft), when the front pair pulled 7L clear. Up 9lb for that and in grade, but further improvement entirely possible.

Form: 9621/11

Thomas Patrick²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 125| D

11/4

Scored on his handicap debut at Exeter last month (2m7f, soft) from a mark of 114 and lost no caste when pipped here over C&D (heavy) last time. The winner that day has since added another, so this contestant very much respected with 4lb rise.

Form: 1-00212

Billy Dutton²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: C J Down| OR: 121| D

10/1

Exeter specialist who relishes a test of stamina and soft/heavy ground. Going on for four years since his last win, however, and he is still 2lb higher today, so in this competitive event he might find a few too good.

Form: 923F/64

Tomkevi^p⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 115| C

16/1

Has a heavy ground win at this track to his name (2m3f) from two years ago. Latest success was in a 3m chase at Hexham in May, so stamina no concern. Ran well for a long way here last week but despite 2lb drop going into this, more is needed.

Form: 2-157U5

Non-Runners

Crucial Role³³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: H D Daly J: Andrew Tinkler

Forecasts

Thomas Patrick (11/4), Isaacstown Lad (9/2), Dandy Duke (9/2), Fingerontheswitch (5/1), Top Ville Ben (13/2), Crucial Role (7/1), Billy Dutton (10/1), Tomkevi (16/1), Another Bill (20/1)

An interesting event and having sided with ISAACSTOWN LAD here last week, Nicky Richards' charge is given the chance to redeem himself in what is a very similar contest on paper. Top Ville Ben ought to remain very competitive despite being nudged back up a few pounds, while Dandy Duke arrives in superb form and is considered a threat. Crucial Role looks worth a market check on his handicap intro, though the biggest danger to the selection could prove to be Thomas Patrick, who went very close with a horse who has won again since over C&D last time out and a 4lb rise does not look prohibitive.