January 21 / 12.55 Haydock

12.55

Heavy

Simon Marsh Memorial Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £8660.84
  • 2m 0f 67y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Simon Marsh Memorial Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 164-27 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row early last year (2m, good/soft) and reappeared with encouraging second at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft) last month; well beaten at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) since and has to bounce back, but not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:15 Wetherby

Heartbreak Kid

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

prominent, went second and pressed leader 6th, outpaced and lost second after 5 out, weakened 4 out

9/2

5th

1

5th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

13:55 Musselburgh

Heartbreak Kid

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent on inner

11/2

Form: 3521-2 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Second in this two years ago; won at Chepstow (2m, heavy) last February and he was having his first run since when second of five at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) last Saturday; this is a quick second run back from an absence, which is a worry, but he's a contender if it doesn't come too soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:25 Newbury

Destined To Shine

11st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Made a pleasing return from 322-day absence when second at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) and good ground was perhaps too lively when disappointing behind Not Available at Chepstow in a race he'd won the previous season; the more rain the better and he comes into it.

6/1

4th

3

25th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:45 Chepstow

Destined To Shine

11st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Won this race on heavy ground last year and made pleasing return from 322-day absence when second at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) last month; should be okay on today's faster ground and is still on a workable mark.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 116-F D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Point winner who scored last winter on his first two hurdle starts (1m7f/2m, soft/good to soft); down the field in Grade 2 next time and he was an early faller on his chase/seasonal debut at Uttoxeter last month, but this very lightly raced 7yo retains potential for his top yard; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Sholokjack

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fell in two of his four chases last season and confined to hurdles so far this campaign; also prone to mistakes in this discipline and he's not been seeing his races out from 2m4f to 3m.

12/1

6th

4

26th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

13:40 Aintree

Sholokjack

10st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, awkward jump 3rd

7/1

6th

6

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 2

12:40 Sandown

Sholokjack

10st 8lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Very lightly raced 7yo; chasing last season, impressing in a four-runner handicap at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft; has won on soft); jumping issues got the better of him afterwards and he wasn't great over his hurdles either when reappearing in a hot handicap at Haydock two weeks ago (held up, always behind at 33-1); should have come on since that run and is thrown in if judged just on that Lingfield win.

12/1

Form: 543P31 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Step back in right direction when third at Newbury (2m, soft) on New Year's Eve and he won at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; it's possible he's best served by good/good to soft ground but he remains well treated on his old form now back up 6lb, and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

16:10 Ludlow

Not Available

11st 6lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

When a 23l third at Newbury (2m, soft) two starts ago he was behind two highly progressive rivals and he continues to drop down the weights, but positive performances have been scarce this season and he was tailed off at Sandown (1m7f, soft) last time.

10/1

9th

10

15th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

13:55 Sandown

Not Available

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Matt Sheppard

Has won six times over fences but seems to have developed his own ideas about the game and looks a difficult ride these days; below form this term on both British starts on heavy; latest outing was his best show this season but he needs to better that.

25/1

3rd

3

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

15:45 Newbury

Not Available

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Matt Sheppard

Has won six times over fences but seems to have developed his own ideas about the game and looks a difficult ride these days; in his current form others are way more appealing.

15/2

Form: -14263 CD

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
10yo who needs to produce more than he's managed the last twice; however, he's dropped back down the weights and the fine recent form of his stable means this three-time course winner is entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

9th May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

18:10 Tipperary

Joke Dancer

11st 0lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Patrick Griffin

held up in rear, struggling before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out

25/1

12

9th May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

18:10 Tipperary

Joke Dancer

11st 0lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Patrick Griffin

held up in rear, struggling before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out

25/1

10th

6

24th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

17:20 Bellewstown

Joke Dancer

11st 9lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Patrick Griffin

midfield

16/1

Form: 4-3365 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
His mark continues to fall and he's well treated on form as recent as last May; however, he was soundly beaten on his last two starts in November and needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

4th Aug 2023

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Sao

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has put together a series of solid runs this spring/summer (once under Brian Hughes), the latest when not beaten far at Stratford last month; that took his losing run to 17, however, and others more compelling.

14/1

5th

3

4th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 3

19:10 Stratford

Sao

11st 10lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

in touch with leaders, ridden after 2 out, left in fourth when hampered by faller last, soon no extra

5/1

Form: 12-611 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Posted a four-timer early last year and he's rediscovered his progressive ways with wins at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft/heavy) the last twice; he's in a deeper race here but could still have more to offer; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Wheelbahri

11st 10lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Won four consecutive chases last February/March and added another two wins towards the end of last year; latest 5lb rise demands even more from him but he's versatile regarding ground and may still be improving.

15/8

1st

7

29th Dec 2022

Heavy

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:03 Kelso

Wheelbahri

10st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

made all, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and mistake last, kept on run-in, gamely

3/1

Form: 51332- D

Last run: 306 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won at Catterick (1m7f, good to soft) in December 2021 and ran well in defeat on his next three starts (including on soft); has had wind surgery since his last run in March and he could be in the mix if fully tuned up for his return to action, but that's the big question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

13th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Out On The Tear

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

Without a win since 2021 but has made the frame on all four starts this season, most notably when second at Sedgefield (2m3f, soft) two runs ago; continues to slip down the weights and has possibilities if the first-time cheekpieces give him a boost.

9/1

3rd

1

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:25 Southwell

Out On The Tear

12st 0lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

Four wins divided between hurdles and fences; has raced mostly at about 2m but seemed to stay Sedgefield's extended 2m3f (soft) when runner-up three weeks ago; drops into a Class 5 here and must have a chance.

3/1

Form: U13-3P CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won this race last year (soft) on his third chase start and back on the scoresheet at Newcastle in February; however, below par on his three starts since and was pulled up at Kelso last time; has to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

6th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 36y

Class 4

15:45 Wetherby

Oscars Leader

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Has won off higher marks and Bangor last time represented a welcome return to form; won't mind any rain and is entitled to go well.

7/2

2nd

3

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Oscars Leader

11st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Jennie Candlish

Won two chases last season but hasn't really fired this term (four runs); comes here after finishing last of four in refitted cheekpieces at Newcastle last month; visor refitted today; needs to up his game.

8/1

4th

4

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:18 Newcastle

Oscars Leader

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Two wins last season, including a novice handicap over C&D on this card (good to soft); 6lb lower than that day but needs to revive after a slow start to this season.

7/1

Form: /P46P- D

Last run: 335 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won on testing ground on his first two starts for this trainer at the end of 2020 and he's well handicapped on that form, but he's been unable to perform to the same standard on his six subsequent runs; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

Est Illic

12st 0lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Ryan Bradford

Recent point winner but a modest performer under rules these days and his Ludlow third was remote.

40/1

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Est Illic

11st 12lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Ryan Bradford

Won a small-field point recently but this veteran is a modest performer under rules these days and was pulled up in two handicaps (including over C&D) in February; opposable back in this sphere.

14/1

8

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:17 Ludlow

Est Illic

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Veteran who has not shown a great deal (three runs) since returning in December from a long absence; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

Verdict

The thriving WHEELBAHRI made it six wins from his last eight starts when scoring on heavy ground at Kelso last time and can post yet another win. The unexposed Sholokjack could be a big danger for Dan Skelton, however, while Joke Dancer represents the in-form Sue Smith and may also be involved.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Wheelbahri

POSTDATA:

Destined To Shine

Telegraph:

Sholokjack

TOPSPEED:

Out On The Tear

WEST COUNTRY:

Est Illic

RP Ratings:

Joke Dancer

The Times:

Wheelbahri

The Guardian:

Wheelbahri

The Star:

Wheelbahri

Daily Record:

Wheelbahri

Daily Mail:

Destined To Shine

D Express:

Destined To Shine

Daily Mirror:

Destined To Shine