December 30 / 15.00 Haydock

15.00

Soft

Betfred Last Fling Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 3m 4f 97y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
RTV
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Betfred Last Fling Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £3.90

Form: 152214 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Successful summer/autumn, culminating in Durham National win at Sedgefield (3m5f, good) under Alan Doyle; shaped as if he stayed 4m in the Borders National at Kelso last time but that soft-ground fourth was well below the Sedgefield form, prompting a concern about soft or heavy ground today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

30th Dec 2022

Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

All About Joe

10st 9lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

Successful summer/autumn, culminating in Durham National win at Sedgefield (3m5f, good) under Alan Doyle; shaped as if he stayed 4m in the Borders National at Kelso last time but that soft-ground fourth was well below the Sedgefield form, prompting a concern about soft or heavy ground today.

16/1

4th

3

4th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

4m 0f 90y

Class 3

13:05 Kelso

All About Joe

11st 0lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

in rear, jumped slightly right 10th

5/1

2nd

6

29th Aug 2022

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 2

15:24 Cartmel

All About Joe

10st 5lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Andrew Hamilton

prominent early, dropped to rear after 2nd, not fluent 4th, dropped to last and became detached 6th, pushed along 12th, ridden but still plenty to do after last, kept on strongly run-in, went second final 110yds, always held

6/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 522-14 BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Career-best form in two runs over 3m1f on good ground at Cheltenham this autumn under Alice Stevens, showing he stays that trip well; passed four rivals from two out to take second over 3m on soft (unraced on heavy) at Ludlow last season, which boosts hope for him with today's trip/ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

11th Sep 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Jimmy The Digger

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Has dropped a long way down the weights for good reason and struggles with his consistency these days; too risky.

16/1

1

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Worcester

Jimmy The Digger

11st 11lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

Rated higher in the past but not as good as he was and couldn't make the most of a soft lead in a small field at Southwell (3m, good).

20/1

3rd

3

3rd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Jimmy The Digger

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Kept on well for second in Ludlow hunter chase (3m, good to soft) in April and will be suited by the forecast good ground here but this veteran is no longer the force of old and has become inconsistent.

11/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 242F-2

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner; 0-8 as chaser but runner-up in three; latest was four weeks ago at Wetherby on debut for new connections, making good late gains over 3m on soft; that was promising and he went well on heavy in his Irish days; one to note despite position 3lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:10 Catterick

Conquredalofeurope

12st 2lb

J: Mr Felix Foster

T: F Foster

Winning hurdler/chaser on heavy ground; has shown some fair form in points, but was well beaten last time and faces a stiffer task here.

25/1

3

22nd Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

15:55 Hexham

Conquredalofeurope

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Battled on well to win small-field Catterick chase (3m1f, heavy) off today's mark in January but looked out of sorts on both subsequent starts over fences; swaps blinkers for first-time visor on this first hurdling start since 2021; others look much less risky.

12/1

Form: 2F4-61

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; peak efforts at up to 3m, which he stays well but he has also tried 3m2f three times and 3m6f once; 6l win at stiff Carlisle on latest outing encourages another crack at marathon trip and he jumped better that day than has often been the case.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Morning Spirit

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

in rear, bad mistake and almost fell 1st, detached when pulled up after 2nd

18/1

3rd

1

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:10 Market Rasen

Morning Spirit

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Best recent effort when second off top weight in similar event at Southwell (3m, good) on penultimate start; only 1-17 over fences but has the ability to take a serious hand.

13/2

8th

8

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:50 Worcester

Morning Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Took big step back in right direction and stuck to his task very well when second at Southwell (3m, good) last month but is evidently not the force of old, and it's hard to predict whether he'll build on that effort.

11/2

Form: 1P3F-4 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a hurdle race on heavy; scored at Carlisle (3m2f, soft) in October 2021 but pulled up in the Welsh National next time on his only attempt beyond that; back-to-form fourth to Morning Spirit at Carlisle (favourite) on reappearance but to win this probably requires a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1P2-69 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
His only two creditable runs last season were over about 3m2f at this track, including on soft, but he's been below form beyond that and it looks as if heavy ground is a problem; heavy defeats both starts this term were over hurdles and the big Aintree fences, but he has questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Enqarde

12st 0lb

J: Miss Molly Armytage

T: Mrs David Plunkett

Career highlight was the Tommy Whittle at Haydock in 2021; 50-1 winner of four-runner hunter chase at Leicester (2m6f, soft) this February but pulled up at Exeter (3m, good to soft) since; this 12yo is probably vulnerable.

100/1

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Enqarde

12st 6lb

J: Miss Molly Armytage

T: Mrs David Plunkett

Useful in his prime; 0-6 in points this season but drew 14l clear to cause 50-1 shock in four-runner Leicester hunter chase (2m6f, soft) three weeks ago; it's tricky to gauge what that form is worth or whether his revival will gather momentum but, nevertheless, he enters calculations.

7/1

1st

5

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:50 Leicester

Enqarde

11st 12lb

J: Miss Molly Armytage

T: Mrs David Plunkett

Landed the Tommy Whittle at Haydock in his younger days but is a shadow of his former self; 0-6 switched to points last term; unlikely to regain the winning thread on reappearance.

33/1

Form: 17P-74

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Did well on heavy ground in 2018 but unraced on it since; took minor honours with soft on his two visits here, including six weeks ago on latest start and he needs to build on that; the Grand National (pulled up) was his only attempt beyond 3m1f, so there's something to prove but his form late last year makes him well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:30 Haydock

Good Boy Bobby

11st 12lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Six-time chase winner; long in the tooth now but was placed in Newbury veterans' chase (3m2f, soft) on latest outing last March and has a good record when fresh; shortlised on hunter chase debut.

6/1

Form: P2P-65

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Stays 3m5f and acts on heavy; his only form over fences in the last two and a bit seasons has been at Sandown, where he's done very well but his record there took bit of a dent on latest outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

28th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:48 Newton Abbot

Deise Aba

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Nearly made a successful stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff; twice disappointed afterwards but ran okay in a Class 2 at Ascot last time; won't be overly inconvenienced should conditions ease.

7/2

4th

1

28th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:48 Newton Abbot

Deise Aba

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Nearly made a successful stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff; twice disappointed afterwards but ran okay in a Class 2 at Ascot last time; won't be overly inconvenienced should conditions ease.

7/2

4th

5

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Deise Aba

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Went very close off today's mark on stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff, but was well below that form on both subsequent outings and needs to have been refreshed by a three-month break.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 112-20

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:20 Southwell

Dr Kananga

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Ben Clarke

Three chase wins, the latest at Sandown in February 2022 (3m, soft); creditable 14l third to a subsequent winner in a veterans' chase at Doncaster last time (3m, good); contender.

11/4

3rd

5

2nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:00 Doncaster

Dr Kananga

11st 4lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

led, headed 13th, not fluent and dropped to last 5 out, rallied and went third after 3 out, soon no extra

8/1

10

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Dr Kananga

10st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

Not the force of old and his losing spell goes back to February 2022; pulled up in this race last year but runner-up on next two starts (3m2f/3m1f) and his front-running sixth in the 3m4f London National at Sandown eight weeks ago wasn't a bad reappearance; stamina not proven.

9/1

Form: P7PP-5 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won the Tommy Whittle here (heavy) and the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f, soft) in winter 2020-21; the severe lack of form since sees him well down the weights today and his C&D reappearance six weeks ago (following wind surgery) was a mini-revival, after which he needs much better today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Sams Adventure

11st 13lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Brian Ellison

Pulled up in the Eider last month and unseated at the first fence at Carlisle on Sunday; however, before those he won at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January and is proven over marathon trips; not written off.

10/1

6

19th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:35 Carlisle

Sams Adventure

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Brian Ellison

Didn't jump well enough when pulled up in the 4m1f Eider, a race he won two seasons ago; will be happier on this softer ground and he won well at Catterick the run before (3m1f, soft; 4lb lower) in second-time cheekpieces.

5/1

8

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

15:25 Newcastle

Sams Adventure

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

Won this in 2021 off 14lb higher; wind surgery before a partial revival this winter and he followed his third to Bushypark at Catterick last month with a strong-staying win over 3m there 13 days later; visored for those last two starts; back up 5lb but of far more concern is that all his significant form is on soft or heavy; big shout if the ground is okay.

13/2

Form: 344P-3 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Gained his last two wins over 3m4f and on soft over 3m6f; probably okay on heavy; no win last term but has a lower mark today and made a satisfactory reappearance five weeks ago; should be a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:00 Exeter

Samuel Jackson

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Veteran who is very well suited by this track and won't fail through lack of stamina; proved he retains some ability when respectable fourth at Warwick (3m1f, soft) in January but was pulled up on three of his last four appearances and it's hard to predict whether he'll fancy the job today.

12/1

6

17th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:17 Wincanton

Samuel Jackson

11st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Now a 12yo and he's struggling to recapture his best form, with a remote fourth at Warwick no real indication that he's about to turn a corner.

16/1

4th

7

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:40 Warwick

Samuel Jackson

11st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

It was over hurdles that he pulled up on his comeback and this is more his game, though he also failed to complete on his final two chases of last season; has just turned 12 and might do well to get his form back.

20/1

Form: 111PP-

Last run: 307 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Started in handicaps off a basement mark and made the most of it, winning twice last May and completing the hat-trick over nearly 3m2f on heavy ground at Ffos Las last October; pulled up in a novice hurdle next time and reportedly lame after pulling up in the Eider in February when last seen; those cast something of a cloud and he's been dropped just 2lb since but the ease of his Ffos Las win (after 211 days off) puts him on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

28th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:30 Wetherby

Danilo DAiry

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Robert Bevis

Won three consecutive races in 2021 and lightly raced since; displayed a hint of spark over C&D last November but pulled up since and this 11yo is back to having plenty to prove; wears first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

0

8

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:08 Uttoxeter

Danilo DAiry

11st 1lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Robert Bevis

Won three consecutive races at about 3m1f in 2021 but pulled up on next four starts; hard to tell what ability remains when last of five at Wetherby in November and still 2lb above his latest winning mark.

25/1

Form: 121-5F

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Prone to making mistakes during short chasing career and he fell two out when close to the principals in the 4m Borders National on soft at Kelso on latest outing; has a bit more to prove on heavy (won on it twice to start career) but jumping is the main concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:55 Ayr

Niceandeasy

11st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Stayed on gamely to score at Kelso (3m2f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) in November but was below that form the following month (albeit on heavy ground) and has become difficult to predict; younger rivals appeal more.

12/1

5th

7

23rd Dec 2023

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

Niceandeasy

10st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Returned to hurdling for last two starts and it paid off last time when he was always front rank to win seven-runner race at Kelso (3m2f, soft; acts on heavy); tongue tied for the first time that day, so maybe he's turned a corner; back up 3lb but his form of previous seasons (up to last December) was significantly better.

4/1

Non-runners

Dr Kananga

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.50
Straight Forecast £143.82
Tricast £563.49
Trifecta £834.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Conquredalofeurope

The Guardian:

All About Joe

POSTDATA:

Morning Spirit

RP Ratings:

Sam's Adventure

Daily Mirror:

Hold That Taught

WEST COUNTRY:

Dr Kananga

Telegraph:

Good Boy Bobby

TOPSPEED:

Samuel Jackson

The Times:

Conquredalofeurope

Daily Record:

Conquredalofeurope

Daily Mail:

All About Joe

D Express:

All About Joe

The Sun:

Morning Spirit

The Star:

Sam's Adventure