15:50 Haydock

Saturday 18 February 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1815:5016:2517:00

Betfred Play Fred's 5 Million Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 5m 20.37s

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Selected odds by:

Evander^h,t⁶⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 132| D

14/1

Did little wrong over hurdles and took well to this sphere during 2020/21 campaign, which he signed off on a winning note in a 2½m Ludlow handicap. Resumes here on the same mark but wellbeing has to be taken on trust following almost 2 years off.

Form: 312P21/

Magic Dancer^p,t⁵⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 127| D

16/1

Picked up where he left off last season by making a winning reappearance at Cheltenham in November. Not in the same form at Hereford subsequently, though, and will need to be at the top of his game in order to get back on the scoresheet here.

Form: 5321-13

Quid Pro Quo^t⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 126

9/2

Bumper winner who landed his first 2 starts over hurdles in maiden/novice events at up to 21.5f last year. However, has come up short in a couple of Grade 2 events since returning from a break in October and he's pitched into a competitive handicap for this chase debut.

Form: 16/1147

Maypole Class⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125| DWS

33/1

Bounced back to form from out of the blue when scoring at Carlisle last spring but has an all-or-nothing profile as a chaser and his efforts so far this season have been poor. Has undergone a wind op.

Form: P/PP1-9P

Super Six^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120

9/2

Dual bumper winner who was successful twice from 5 starts over hurdles last season. Best effort yet in this sphere when third back from a 3-month break at Hereford (20.9f, good to soft) and appealing here off a potentially handy mark.

Form: 521-453

The Paddy Pie²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 119| CD

10/1

Ended a lengthy losing sequence despite being 6 lb out of the weights at Wetherby (19.4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day. Good second off this 5 lb higher mark over the same C&D next time and he's in with an each-way shout.

Form: 33-3612

High Moon¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 118

11/2

Fairly useful hurdles winner who has acquitted himself well on all 3 starts since sent chasing, recently finishing a creditable third off this mark at Ayr (21.5f, soft). Ought to pick up a race in this sphere before long but may find this a shade too competitive.

Form: 18-7323

If Not For Dylan^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: D R Fox| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 117| D

9/2

Returned to form following a string of low-key efforts when striking at Sedgefield (19.3f, soft), the application of first-time cheekpieces and a change of tactics seemingly the catalysts. However, has more on his plate up 5 lb in this tougher race.

Form: 248451

Garincha^p⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117| D

4/1

Successful over hurdles at Wetherby in December 2021 and made a winning return/chase debut at Bangor (20.3f, heavy) in November, albeit left in front soon after last. Just a fair fourth at Exeter since but couldn't rule out all the same.

Form: 24U3-14

Non-Runners

Golden Whisky⁵³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Enzo D'Airy¹⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: Miss V Williams J: Charlie Deutsch

Courtland⁴⁹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 8

T: P & M Bowen J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Garincha (4/1), Super Six (9/2), If Not For Dylan (9/2), Quid Pro Quo (9/2), Enzo D'Airy (5/1), High Moon (11/2), Golden Whisky (6/1), The Paddy Pie (10/1), Evander (14/1), Magic Dancer (16/1), Courtland (25/1), Maypole Class (33/1)

The vote goes to SUPER SIX, who shaped encouragingly back from a break at Hereford on just third start in this sphere and he is probably capable of a good deal better than his current mark would imply. Enzo d'Airy bumped into a well-treated rival at Lingfield and he is feared most, albeit only marginally as Golden Whisky is also high on the shortlist having chased home the progressive Fugitif at Chepstow last time. The Paddy Pie is another to consider in a competitive handicap.