*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Betfair Hurdle hero Aucunrisque has to concede plenty of weight to the rest of the 17-runner field in what looks set to be a competitive renewal of the Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.
Teddy Blue reversed the form from Newbury with Aucunrisque in the Sussex Champion Hurdle and goes for another lucrative handicap victory, Byker crosses the Irish Sea once again after a near miss in the Fred Winter last time out, while Brentford Hope bids to bring up the hat-trick.
Olly Murphy saddled the first past the post two years ago and he is represented by Washington in Saturday’s 15:15 for which Paddy’s paying FIVE places.
The latest Swinton Handicap Hurdle odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Swinton Handicap Hurdle tips
Timeform: The one who appeals most is smart Flat performer BRENTFORD HOPE, who is going the right way over hurdles for his new yard and has the qualities to raise his game further now pitched into a stronger contest. Byker and Black Poppy head the opposition in another competitive renewal of this long-established event.
Swinton Handicap Hurdle runners
Aucunrisque
Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Nick Scholfield Age: 7 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Smart sort produced a valiant front-running performance to land the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February. Unable to replicate that in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but wasted no time getting back to form when 3 lengths third of 9 to Teddy Blue at Plumpton 34 days ago. Needs respecting.
***
Homme Public
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Henry Brooke Age: 6 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Likable sort who resumed winning ways with an improved effort at Huntingdon (15.8f) in January and having not been disgraced at Ascot next time, he quickly returned to his best when second at Bangor (19.5f). Didn’t quite see things out at Cheltenham (20.2f) last time and probably remains in form.
***
Parramount
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon Jockey: Aidan Coleman Age: 7 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Fairly useful in bumpers during 2020/21 and had an excellent first season over hurdles last term, winning 3 times, including 2m Fakenham handicap with any amount to spare in March. Did too much too soon at Aintree last time so is better judged on previous form.
***
Teddy Blue
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 5 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Free-goer who turned the stables on Aucunrisque from the Betfair Hurdle when winning 9-runner handicap hurdle at Plumpton (15.9f, good) 34 days ago, all out. 4 lb rise fair, but he isn’t the most straightforward of rides.
***
Nibiru
Trainer: A. J. Martin Jockey: Age: 8 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Returned to form when second in 17-runner handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in February. Ran no sort of race without headgear (back on here) at Aintree since, however.
***
Onemorefortheroad
Trainer: Neil King Jockey: Jack Quinlan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Disappointing on the whole last season but has become well treated as a result and could be a factor if first-time cheekpieces have a positive effect.
***
Fruit N Nut
Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Brian Hughes Age: 7 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Dual soft-ground bumper winner in 2021 and recorded a third win over hurdles in 2m Newbury handicap in March. Needs to cast aside a lesser run at Aintree subsequently, though.
***
Parisencore
Trainer: Nicky Richards Jockey: Danny McMenamin Age: 7 Weight: 10st 7lbs
C&D winner who ran about as well as could be expected from 3 lb out of the weights when fourth of 10 in Scottish Champion Hurdle (Handicap) at Ayr (2m, good) 3 weeks ago. Has solid each-way claims.
***
Byker
Trainer: Charles Byrnes Jockey: P. Byrnes Age: 4 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Fairly useful performer on the Flat who ran a blinder in first-time cheekpieces when second of 21 in Fred Winter Juvenile at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft) in March, running on. Nudged up 4 lb but may have more to offer.
****
Hurricane Ali
Trainer: John Mackie Jockey: Alan Doyle Age: 7 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Genuine type who won 3 times last season and ran another good race when second to Filey Bay at Doncaster on final outing in November. Likely to give his running after a break but vulnerable to better treated rivals.
***
Get Back Get Back
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Ben Bromley Age: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Jumped better than usual when resuming with impressive success in 2m handicap hurdle at Kempton in November and bounced back to a similar level when short-head second of 9 to Teddy Blue at Plumpton (15.9f) 34 days ago. Possibilities with a repeat if keeping mistakes to a minimum.
***
Takeit Easy
Trainer: Pam Sly Jockey: Alex Edwards Age: 8 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Took advantage of a reduced mark in 9-runner handicap at Chepstow (16f, good, 9/2) 15 days ago, driven out after left in front last. Remains on a good mark following a 2 lb rise but this is much more competitive.
***
Black Poppy
Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: Adam Wedge Age: 7 Weight: 10st 5lb
Proved better than ever when resuming winning ways in 13-runner handicap at Cheltenham (16.8f, good) 24 days ago, well on top finish. That performance is backed up by the clock, so he merits respect up 5 lb.
****
Jamacho
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon Jockey: Bradley Roberts Age: 9 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Has won 3 of his last 4 starts, including 5-runner handicap chase at Uttoxeter (2m) when last seen in October. Faces a stiff task back over hurdles, though.
**
Washington
Trainer: Olly Murphy Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 7 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Dual novice hurdle winner who ran well in first-time cheekpieces after 4 months off when third in big-field handicap at Aintree (16.5f, good to soft) 29 days ago, despite racing closer to the pace than ideal. Enters calculations.
***
Brentford Hope
Trainer: Harry Derham Jockey: Paul O’Brien Age: 6 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Useful Flat performer for Richard Hughes. Changed hands for 90,000 gns and made it 2 from 2 over hurdles for new yard in 2m Huntingdon novice last month, again making all. Capable of better still and looks the type to thrive in big-field handicap.
*****
Lunar Sovereign
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Ciaran Gethings Age: 7 Weight: 10st 3lbs
Shaped as if retaining all ability on first run since leaving Fergal O’Brien when 4½ lengths sixth of 9 to Takeit Easy in 2m handicap at Chepstow 15 days ago, moving into contention smoothly before a lack of sharpness told. Eased a further 3 lb.
***
Saturday’s Horse Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday
- Horse racing tips from Rory Delargy for Saturday’s action
- Mick Fitzgerald’s best bets and ITV Racing tips for Saturday
- Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips for Ascot and Haydock on Saturday
- Jason Weaver’s horse racing tips for Ascot and Lingfield on Saturday
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