15:15 Haydock

Saturday 21 December 2024

All11:4512:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Betfred Merry Christmas Handicap Hurdle

  • 3YO plus  |   Class 3  |   3m 58y  |   Heavy  |   9 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:15  |   Winning time: 6m 35.65s
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1
Horse silk
7/2
Won a brace of novice hurdles last autumn and showed better form in defeat in handicaps thereafter. Clear of the remainder with highly progressive rival at Uttoxeter on penultimate outing. Better than result at Hexham on return and makes the most appeal.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
The Impostert,v28
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Buckley(3)| T: N J Hawke| OR:  125| D
14/1
Made it a remarkable 9 wins in 10 starts when seeing off 5 rivals at Chepstow (heavy) last December. However, pulled up in Betfair Stayers' Handicap here on his belated return a month ago and looks best watched at present.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
Castle Rushenp28
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR:  125
11/2
Finally came good in a handicap when shading a tight finish on his 2½m Carlisle reappearance in November and shaped as if still in form when fourth faced with tough conditions over C&D last time. Not one to write off.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Magical Kingp42
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR:  119
11/4
Creditable third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (24.7f, good, 5/1) 42 days ago, unsuited by emphasis on stamina. Should give a good account if jumping holds up again.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
Wasdell Dundalk20
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-3| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Miss L Harrison| OR:  116| D
50/1
Done well since joining this yard, bagging a fifth success since last summer when landing 5-runner handicap chase at Carlisle in October. Pulled up there since and returns to hurdling now.
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Timeform
8
Horse silk
Champ Royalp,t20
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR:  115| D
33/1
Much improved since joining Susan Corbett, scoring 4 times (at up to 25.3f) over hurdles last season. Hasn't taken to chasing but can't be written off returning to this discipline.
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Timeform
9
Horse silk
Our Samt70
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-1| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR:  114
20/1
Bagged a hat-trick of victories last summer but hasn't been in top form so far this term and fell at Hexham last time.
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Timeform
10
Horse silk
Stratton Oakmont41
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Godfrey| T: K Woollacott| OR:  113| D
4/1
Reliable sort who resumed winning ways in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Exeter (23f, heavy) in March. Solid return when third at Ffos Las and could be on the premises again.
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Timeform
11
Horse silk
Half Track20
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR:  105
6/1
Well handicapped on best form and took a firm step back in the right direction when second at Carlisle last time, so warrants strong consideration.
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Timeform

Non-Runners

4
Horse silk
My Bobby Dazzler48
Weight: 11-10|  Age: 9
T: Mrs M Rowley  J: Callum Pritchard
NR
6
Horse silk
Spike Jones39
Weight: 11-3|  Age: 7
T: S Drinkwater  J: Ned Fox
NR

Forecasts

Magical King (11/4), Supremely West (7/2), Stratton Oakmont (4/1), Castle Rushen (11/2), Half Track (6/1), My Bobby Dazzler (13/2), Spike Jones (15/2), The Imposter (14/1), Our Sam (20/1), Champ Royal (33/1), Wasdell Dundalk (50/1)

Verdict

SUPREMELY WEST was well clear with Gwennie May Boy (subsequently won big handicap at Aintree) on his final outing last season and shaped as if he'd returned in top form when third at Hexham 70 days ago, so he looks the one to beat for all that several others arrive in good order. Half Track and Magical King are both obvious dangers.

Previous Winners

2023
Bushypark
Weight: 10-12  |Age: 9
11/2

Prize Money

1st: £6,865.002nd: £3,159.003rd: £1,580.004th: £790.005th: £394.00

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