December 30 / 12.30 Haydock

12.30

Soft

Betfred Nifty Fifty Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £5663.84
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Betfred Nifty Fifty Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Qualifier)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £21.00
  • Place: £4.20

Form: F2F0-6

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles and fences in France; 0-11 in Britain and, after trying this sort of trip on latest start, she has not proved her stamina; that latest run was admittedly after 234 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:50 Kelso

Sacre Coeur

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

She's 2-17 over hurdles as opposed to 7-27 over fences and is unraced in this sphere since November 2023; however, won twice over fences this season (3m1f/2m4f, good/good to soft) and will be a major player if transferring that form back to hurdles.

8/1

1

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

16:20 Ludlow

Sacre Coeur

12st 7lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, led, faced challenge from 12th, headed on turn before 4 out, weakening when unseated 3 out

3/1

1

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Sacre Coeur

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Front-runner who went down narrowly last time at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft), which was a good run over that far for one who stays 3m; Harry Atkins rides again and should hang around to have some say.

15/8

7/2

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 163

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner in April and stayed on gamely for narrow win on hurdling debut at Bangor (2m3f, good) in September; stiff task next time and ran well from the front when third of five at Kelso (2m5f, soft) on latest; needs more for this handicap debut but 3m looks interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:10 Perth

Apple Away

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Consistent sort who won this two years ago (soft); Panic Attack has better form and she's run just once this season, but that was a solid effort when third of five at Carlisle in November over an inadequate 2m4f (good to soft), and she can give a good account.

6/1

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Apple Away

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form.

4/1

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Apple Away

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form.

4/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 32/662 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Sole win was in 2018, admittedly with 615 days off before this season; stays well and runner-up six times, including at Uttoxeter on latest start; ran very well when last encountering heavy; place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:32 Chepstow

Ballymagroarty Boy

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Now 3lb lower than for Ffos Las win (3m, heavy) in December 2023 but this season was a major struggle even before he clipped heels and fell early on latest outing; overall score is 2-40, with 32 of those races over hurdles.

33/1

Form: 3614-1

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper and 2m5f maiden hurdle (heavy) last season; moving up to 2m7f seemingly did her the world of good on handicap/seasonal debut at Market Rasen (soft) where she drew 8l clear in a manner which strongly suggested this extra distance would suit her; raised 6lb but may well follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Shighness

12st 0lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Hasn't won for a couple of years and that was over fences, but she shaped encouragingly reverting to hurdles when third at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) in February, albeit beaten nearly 19l, and has fallen back over fences since; however, she's on a handy mark and is hard to dismiss.

15/2

7

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Shighness

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

She's struggled to get competitive since finishing a close second in this last year (good to soft) but is 7lb lower this time around and didn't run badly over hurdles at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) last month; not written off.

10/1

Form: 240-53

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
0-10 for Philip Fenton in Ireland, peak form when second of 18 in 3m handicap on heavy; that sparks interest for today and he ran respectably under Luke Scott at Ascot last time on second run for new yard; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Golden Cosmos

10st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

0-10 in Ireland and 0-7 in Britain; pulled up over C&D in December but that was after a 662-day absence and he was an always-prominent third of 17 to Blue Hop at Doncaster (3m) three weeks ago, so needs a second look.

14/1

3rd

14

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Golden Cosmos

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

midfield

20/1

3rd

14

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Golden Cosmos

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

midfield

20/1

Form: 3P1P-0

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in February in his second handicap hurdle; however, pulled up there (2m7f) two weeks later on final run for Philip Hobbs and tailed off at Worcester (2m4f) two months ago for new yard; tongue-tie is given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:12 Fairyhouse

Crossing The Bar

11st 6lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Won his fourth hurdle race when scoring at Catterick over an extended 3m in January and a solid run over 2m6f at Thurles since; this trip suits better and can be involved.

8/1

5th

7

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:12 Fairyhouse

Crossing The Bar

11st 6lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Won his fourth hurdle race when scoring at Catterick over an extended 3m in January and a solid run over 2m6f at Thurles since; this trip suits better and can be involved.

8/1

Form: 5P4P-5 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Only one hurdle win (2m7f, heavy) from 16 starts; well beaten on reappearance five weeks ago and disappointing last season but he's thrown in if judged instead on the 2020-21 campaign, during which he was best in the mud and one of his good runs was at this course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Mr Harp

12st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Thomas Gallagher

Cashed in a career-low mark at Ffos Las in January (3m) on soft ground still not thought soft enough by connections; still 8lb below a winning mark despite a re-raise, and will find this course no less to his liking.

7/2

1st

2

23rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Mr Harp

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Thomas Gallagher

Just one win in 17 rules starts; not disgraced in two handicaps this season at about 3m, beaten in the region of 10l on both occasions; has each-way claims.

10/1

Form: P54-6B D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Ran with credit only once from five starts in the last 12 months; brought down early on latest, though, so has not had much of a chance to show what he can do this season; conditions suit and he's down to what should be a dangerous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

30th Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

12:30 Haydock

Happy Hollow

11st 9lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Ran with credit only once from five starts in the last 12 months; brought down early on latest, though, so has not had much of a chance to show what he can do this season; conditions suit and he's down to what should be a dangerous mark.

20/1

3

3rd Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

12:48 Wetherby

Happy Hollow

11st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Triple bumper winner who won a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m7f, heavy) last February but he's not gone on from that and was well held back at Uttoxeter on his return last month; goes back up in trip off a falling mark but he's now 1-11 in this sphere and others are preferred.

12/1

6th

8

20th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:08 Uttoxeter

Happy Hollow

11st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Two below-par efforts before a partial revival when cheekpieces were enlisted at Carlisle on latest outing; on a tempting mark but a longer distance wouldn't have gone amiss.

10/1

Form: 1-3241 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Consistent and her win at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) one month ago was career-best form; 5lb higher today; there is a bit more for her to prove on soft and she's unraced on heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

19th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:35 Stratford

Lily Glitters

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

took keen hold, prominent, outpaced after 2 out, weakened approaching last

12/1

10th

1

19th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

14:35 Stratford

Lily Glitters

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

took keen hold, prominent, outpaced after 2 out, weakened approaching last

12/1

6

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Lily Glitters

11st 9lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

prominent, lost position before 6th, detached 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

33/1

Form: 23

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won Irish maiden point (3m) by 7l in February; staying-on second in novice hurdle at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) and front-running third in a maiden at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) but he faded to finish 15l behind the runner-up in the latter; should still have more to offer up to 3m on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Carlisle

Harjo

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Charlie Longsdon

prominent on outer

12/1

4

3rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

16:30 Newcastle

Harjo

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Turbulent career and was deep in the doldrums for much of 2024 but he popped up at 25-1 at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) when nearly half the fences were omitted; back up 3lb but still well treated if the mood takes; yard 5-10 here in the last five seasons.

5/1

7

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 4

15:13 Doncaster

Harjo

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Charlie Longsdon

Pulled up on five of his six starts in 2024; showed some zest when ridden very positively in first-time blinkers (retained) at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) this month but was well held in the end and remains a risky option.

20/1

Form: 3132-5

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Sent over hurdles for last five starts, forging clear in a maiden at Market Rasen (2m, soft) in February on second occasion; needs overall improvement in this sphere and massive improvement compared to his handicap hurdle debut in November; big step up in trip and headgear enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

21st May 2026

Soft

2m 0f 45y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Fleurman

9st 8lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Patrick Morris

Won at Kempton (2m, AW) in March and solid third there (2m, AW) last month; rarely seen on turf nowadays but he was effective on grass early in his career (particularly on slow ground); visor replaces cheekpieces; respected.

7/2

3rd

2

(6)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:50 Kempton (AW)

Fleurman

9st 13lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Not as good now but the handicapper's been quick to ease off and he showed the right attitude to end a losing run over C&D 12 days ago; a 2lb rise seems fair and that won't have hurt his confidence.

5/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £275.50
Straight Forecast £256.08
Tricast £2163.06
Trifecta £2772.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shighness

The Guardian:

Lily Glitters

Telegraph:

Harjo

POSTDATA:

Golden Cosmos

WEST COUNTRY:

Ballymagroarty Boy

TOPSPEED:

Mr Harp

D Express:

Harjo

The Times:

Golden Cosmos

RP Ratings:

Shighness

THE NORTH:

Shighness

The Star:

Shighness

Daily Record:

Shighness

Daily Mail:

Lily Glitters

The Sun:

Lily Glitters

Daily Mirror:

Ballymagroarty Boy