15:15 Haydock

Saturday 18 December 2021

All11:5012:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 10.6s

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Selected odds by:

Hear No Evil³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr O McGill⁽⁷⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 135| D

66/1

50/1, fifteenth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (23.9f, good to soft) 34 days ago. Was in good form over fences towards the end of last season but he's not as appealing in this sphere.

Form: 03611-0

Padleyourowncanoe⁴⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

40/1

Useful chaser for Colin Tizzard and, while he has a lengthy absence to overcome, the handicapper has given him a chance, so he's worth considering back over hurdles on debut for Dan Skelton.

Form: 814/443-

Ratfacemcdougall^b,t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| DWS

33/1

Progressive five-time winner for Graeme McPherson last term but arrives with a bit to prove having been pulled up at Lingfield on reappearance. Others are more persuasive.

Form: 1P111-P

Ballymillsy³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134| BF

11/4

Fairly useful hurdler who scored at Warwick in February and improved again when landing 26.5f handicap at Newton Abbot in October. Disappointing at Cheltenham last time, but too soon to write off.

Form: 212F-15

Mulcahys Hill^p¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132| D

20/1

Winning hurdler/chaser who showed some ability remains when down the field at Sandown 15 days ago. Should strip fitter for that and cheekpieces might sharpen him up, so respected.

Form: F1P20/9

Welsh Saint^p³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 128| CD

6/1

One-time useful hurdler for Nicky Henderson and, while he was only fifth at Lingfield on seasonal/stable debut, he left the impression he should strip fitter for the run.

Form: 0/U340-5

Tokyo Getaway^p²⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 127| D

16/1

Mark looks fair based on Irish form, but chances are that she'll need this stable bow/first outing for 9 months, so others are more persuasive.

Form: 895827-

Sultans Pride^p⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: G Boanas| OR: 125| D

14/1

Enjoyed a productive 2020/21 season and, with cheekpieces on, returned to winning ways with another career-best effort at Kelso in November. Warrants plenty of respect.

Form: 11416-1

Poker Play^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

14/1

Winless last term but returned with an encouraging second at Ffos Las in October. On a fair mark if he's able to back that up.

Form: 4234-92

Fabulous Saga^t⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 124| D

40/1

Multiple hurdles winner for Willie Mullins in 2017. However, poor in 3 runs for Paul Nicholls last season and no promise on debut for current connections in handicap at Ffos Las 51 days ago.

Form: 77/P4P-0

Jesuitique³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120| BF

11/4

Won his first two starts this term, then went down to only a gutsy rival at Market Rasen a month ago. Going the right way for his new yard, so another bold showing is expected.

Form: 173-112

Mr Harp¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: T Gallagher| OR: 120

9/2

Fairly useful hurdler who was back to form when staying-on fifth at Sandown last time and should benefit from a good test at trip. Not discounted.

Form: 1224-55

Forecasts

Jesuitique (11/4), Ballymillsy (11/4), Mr Harp (9/2), Welsh Saint (6/1), Poker Play (14/1), Sultans Pride (14/1), Tokyo Getaway (16/1), Mulcahys Hill (20/1), Ratfacemcdougall (33/1), Padleyourowncanoe (40/1), Fabulous Saga (40/1), Hear No Evil (66/1)

JESUITIQUE is on the up for Dr Richard Newland and his recent second at Market Rasen has a solid look to it, so he gets the marginal vote in an open-looking handicap hurdle. Ballymillsy, dropping back in grade, makes plenty of appeal, and Padleyourowncanoe is an intriguing runner on his debut for Dan Skelton.