13:35 Haydock

Saturday 13 May 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 6m 3.6s

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Selected odds by:

Mill Green²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141

12/1

Into the twilight of his career but has shown plenty of ability remains with excellent efforts in big-field events the last twice, third of 22 at Aintree last time. Another big effort is on the cards.

Form: 233/333-

Bold Endeavour^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140| D

13/2

Point/bumper winner who quickly made up into a borderline useful novice hurdler last season. Already better over fences, winning twice during the winter, and good efforts at Cheltenham back over hurdles the last twice, not beaten far by Willaston when second last month. Well respected.

Form: P11252-

Press Your Luck²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: C Gordon| OR: 138| D

33/1

Made winning return/chase debut at Chepstow (23.5f) in October. Struggled on next 4 outings but back to form with a bang to win 21f Wincanton handicap hurdle in February. Creditable fourth of 11 at Cheltenham 24 days ago and seems likely to give another good account.

Form: UPP014-

Dargiannini^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 138

12/1

Fell on chase/yard debut in December but better than ever when winning handicap hurdles around 2½m at Uttoxeter (soft) and Newbury (good to firm) since. Disappointed in stronger contest at Aintree last time and is unproven over this far.

Form: 3P/F110-

Pounding Poet^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 135

22/1

Got back on the up in the autumn, proving most determined on the back of 4 months off when landing 4-runner Uttoxeter handicap (23.3f) in October. Back on track when staying on well to finish second off 22 at Aintree last time and should go well again if the emphasis is on stamina.

Form: 0/14162-

Party Business^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 135

16/1

Landed a big handicap at Aintree last season and more encouraging signs when mid-field in that corresponding event last time. Could get involved if the pace is strong.

Form: 51/4950-

Grozni¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: P Byrnes⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 130

9/2

Three-time winner last season and signed off with a good fourth in a big field at Punchestown. Respected once again for all that he will likely face competition for the lead.

Form: 014124-

Pull Again Green^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129

11/1

Useful/progressive form over hurdles last season, winning 3 times. A touch disappointing over fences in the autumn and latest effort in this sphere at Aintree 29 days ago was sub-par.

Form: 11/3450-

Gentleman At Arms^p,t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 129

20/1

Ended last season with a second in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (3m, good). Hasn't scaled the same heights this time round, including over fences, although latest fourth at Warwick was a solid showing.

Form: 034984-

Thanksforthehelp^p,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 127| D

11/2

Had wind op and cheekpieces on when off the mark comfortably in handicap hurdle at Chepstow (23.6f) in February. Better than result when mid-field in Pertemps Final at Cheltenham next time and quickly back to winning ways with something to spare in novice at Southwell recently. Big player.

Form: 23/4101-

Willaston^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 126

14/1

Career best when winning 13-runner handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (20.2f, good, 33/1) 24 days ago by ¾ length from Bold Endeavour, doing well to quickening to the front late having suffered interference. Still relatively unexposed for current yard and should go well.

Form: 215F21-

Shantou Express⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Kai Lenihan⁽⁷⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125

66/1

Dual hurdles winner last spring. Had another unsuccessful spell over fences in the summer/autumn and last two hurdling efforts have been pretty tame.

Form: 3F35P0-

Merry Poppins^b1,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122

14/1

Consistent sort who produced her best effort to date when runner-up at Cheltenham last time. Blinkers could eke even more out of her, so she's likely to be on the premises.

Form: 552722-

Wa Wa^p,t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 122| D

18/1

Improved to win 15-runner handicap hurdle (15/2) at Leopardstown in March and, while he failed to back it up over fences at Downpatrick, he's not one to write off in this discipline.

Form: 7CP117-

Rambo T²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 120| BF

11/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who confirmed previous promise upped in trip when off the mark in 13-runner novice at Chepstow in February. Likely to have followed up had he not swerved and unseated at the last at Sedgefield since. One to consider.

Form: 1/3221U-

Tiger Jet³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 118| CD

15/2

Three wins from 7 runs last season. Career best when winning 15-runner handicap hurdle at this C&D (good to firm, 11/1) 35 days ago, driven out. Run of race will suit his style and he merits consideration.

Form: 413761-

Non-Runners

Langdale Lane²²

Weight: 10-4| Age: 6

T: S R B Crawford J: Ben Bromley

Forecasts

Grozni (9/2), Thanksforthehelp (11/2), Bold Endeavour (13/2), Tiger Jet (15/2), Rambo T (11/1), Pull Again Green (11/1), Dargiannini (12/1), Mill Green (12/1), Willaston (14/1), Merry Poppins (14/1), Langdale Lane (14/1), Party Business (16/1), Wa Wa (18/1), Gentleman At Arms (20/1), Pounding Poet (22/1), Press Your Luck (33/1), Shantou Express (66/1)

THANKSFORTHEHELP was sent off favourite for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and, while he couldn't quite justify that support (better than result), he was impressive back in novice company at Southwell since and is well worth another chance to prove himself ahead of his mark. Nicky Henderson-trained pair Mill Green and Bold Endeavour should give the selection plenty to think about and there are several others for whom a case could be made.