December 30 / 14.30 Haydock

14.30

Soft

Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7569.94
  • 2m 2f 191y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 114-23 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Bumper and dual hurdles winner at about 2m, on slow ground; prominent racer; has posted equal career-best RPRs on his last two starts at Cheltenham (2m5f, good) and Doncaster (2m3f, good); same mark; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Fine Casting

12st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Below par when returning to hurdling at Southwell (2m4f, good) in March; has dropped 2lb since finishing fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on his most recent chase start and has claims if able to reproduce the form of that or his Bangor success (2m4f, soft) last November; acts on a sound surface.

10/1

3rd

1

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Fine Casting

12st 0lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Good and bad since returned to fences (1P4); runs off a lower hurdles mark but he is a 10yo and without a win in this discipline since 2022.

6/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1112-1 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Progressive over hurdles, where he has been beaten only once; returned to action last month with a ready 7l C&D success (soft) in a 0-130; up 9lb and slightly in grade but appears to have plenty going for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Jungle Jack

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

made all

13/2

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Jungle Jack

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Twice finished runner-up at Kelso in the first half of this year (2m, soft/good to soft) and he returned from a break with an encouraging fourth at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) last month; shaped as though he may improve for that latest run and he represents last year's winning yard; contender.

13/2

4th

4

13th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Jungle Jack

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Has pretty good 5-13 hurdling strike-rate that includes two course wins (2m/2m3f); not seen since his keeping-on second at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in first-time blinkers in May but remains on the same, workable mark; usual cheekpieces back on today.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £6.00

Form: P25/1- D

Last run: 593 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
3-9 over hurdles; not seen since winning a conditions event in France (2m3f, very soft) on his final start for Tom George in May 2021; has since changed yards; check for any market confidence on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 3

15:50 Carlisle

Doctor Dex

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Hurdle/chase winner for Tom George who returned from a long absence with an encouraging third over hurdles on his stable debut at Haydock (2m3f, soft) in December; could build on that and he's one to consider.

14/1

8

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

15:23 Wetherby

Doctor Dex

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Won over hurdles in France for Tom George in spring 2021 and, after a long layoff, outran 50-1 odds when placed for new yard at Haydock (2m3f, soft) in December; still very well handicapped on old form; could have a say.

6/1

3

29th Jan 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:10 Southwell

Doctor Dex

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Chase/hurdle winner who only recently returned from a long absence and it was in a higher grade that he finished a 12l third in that Haydock race (2m3f, soft) a month ago; that was encouraging and he's on a dangerous mark.

10/1

Form: 3-1361 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Six-time hurdle winner, including here (3m, good to soft) and also when making all to spring a 50-1 surprise in a Class 2 event at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) latest; up 4lb for that; handles soft but best form has been when it's less testing; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Romeo Brown

11st 3lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

12yo who exploited a career-low mark in reapplied cheekpieces (retained since) at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November and followed up there (3m, good to soft) in December, making all under Oscar Palmer each time; he's a player if resuming where he left off.

6/1

5

15th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:20 Wetherby

Romeo Brown

11st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Not the force of old but, following a wind operation, arrested decline and was placed twice at Hexham (2m4f; stays 3m) in the spring; absent since falling quite heavily there in May but has a fighting chance if ready to roll.

7/1

Form: 4211-1 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won Kelso handicap hurdles on her last two starts for Donald Whillans, last winter; changed hands for £22,000 in May and returned with a career best to score over C&D in a Class 2 handicap last month; that looks very solid form and she has to be taken seriously in trying to defy a 5lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 2f 191y

Class 1

13:02 Haydock

Stainsby Girl

11st 2lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

made virtually all, went well clear from 3 out, ridden out run-in, unchallenged

5/1

5th

6

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Stainsby Girl

11st 2lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

took keen hold, led, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last

25/1

0

2

16th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Stainsby Girl

11st 9lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

Doughty 9yo, usually ridden these days by Kit Alexander; front-running sort who was back to her best when second of ten at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; effective in the mud but not proven over quite this far and probably too exposed to see off all of today's younger rivals.

16/1

Form: 112-8P D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Triple hurdle and chase winner at up to 2m3f when trained by Guillaume Macaire in France; unable to build on that in two chase starts for this trainer; reverts to hurdles with a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:08 Catterick

Batman For Ever

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Ex-French; last April's win was in a point and he's 0-9 under rules in Britain; third of 13 in handicap at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last June on latest outing, which gives him a place chance if he's okay after the break.

5/1

7

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:08 Catterick

Batman For Ever

11st 2lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Ex-French; last April's win was in a point and he's 0-9 under rules in Britain; third of 13 in handicap at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last June on latest outing, which gives him a place chance if he's okay after the break.

5/1

3rd

6

6th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Uttoxeter

Batman For Ever

11st 3lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Won a 2m3f chase (soft) when trained by Guillaume Macaire; unable to replicate his French form for either Rebecca Menzies or Stuart Coltherd but did win a point for the latter in April; more needed back under rules.

9/1

Form: P96P87

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won the 2020 Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival when trained by Gordon Elliott, for whom he also won over fences; pulled up on his final start for that yard in July; well beaten in two hurdles starts for this trainer; handy mark if he can be revived but plenty to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 3

16:20 Hexham

Aramax

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

in touch with leaders

20/1

7th

1

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:05 Kelso

Aramax

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Formerly a very useful hurdler/chaser; not quite so good these days but won two 3m handicap hurdles on good ground last summer; bit below par since; on a good mark and today's going will suit but better over further these days.

12/1

5th

3

24th Aug 2024

Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:25 Cartmel

Aramax

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

prominent, went second after 8th, prominent 3 out, weakened approaching last

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: P/P2P- D

Last run: 342 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 novice chase winner who has been back over hurdles on his last four starts; failed to complete in three of those but showed at Exeter (2m2f, heavy) in January that he remains decent on his day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 2f 191y

Class 3

14:30 Haydock

Esprit Du Large

11st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Grade 1 novice chase winner who has been back over hurdles on his last four starts; failed to complete in three of those but showed at Exeter (2m2f, heavy) in January that he remains decent on his day.

20/1

Form: /45F1/ C

Last run: 706 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Triple hurdle and dual chase winner, including here (2m, heavy) in January 2021 when last seen; on a competitive mark but this is a tough ask on his return from a second lengthy absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

30th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 2f 191y

Class 3

14:30 Haydock

Protek Des Flos

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Triple hurdle and dual chase winner, including here (2m, heavy) in January 2021 when last seen; on a competitive mark but this is a tough ask on his return from a second lengthy absence.

16/1

Form: 17-421

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who won a 0-130 by 13l on his handicap debut at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) last month; up 9lb; open to further improvement and the longer trip is a probable plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:40 Musselburgh

Holmes St Georges

10st 8lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

Just 1-9 over hurdles but bounced back quickly from a disappointing December run when close second in competitive handicap here (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day and will pose a threat if able to transfer that form to fences at the first attempt; first-time tongue-tie.

10/1

2nd

6

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:10 Musselburgh

Holmes St Georges

11st 1lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

in touch with leaders in centre of group

12/1

8th

4

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Aintree

Holmes St Georges

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: S R B Crawford

Won at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) last November when back from a break and has run well in defeat on his four starts since, most recently at Down Royal (3m, yielding) in May; can go well fresh and could be a player.

8/1

Non-runners

Holmes St Georges

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.30
Straight Forecast £9.21
Tricast £227.54
Trifecta £219.60

Selections

RP Ratings:

Stainsby Girl

SPOTLIGHT:

Jungle Jack

TOPSPEED:

Fine Casting

The Star:

Holmes St Georges

POSTDATA:

Romeo Brown

Telegraph:

Jungle Jack

D Express:

Jungle Jack

WEST COUNTRY:

Fine Casting

The Times:

Stainsby Girl

The Guardian:

Stainsby Girl

Daily Mail:

Stainsby Girl

Daily Mirror:

Stainsby Girl

The Sun:

Stainsby Girl

Daily Record:

Stainsby Girl