December 30 / 15.30 Haydock

15.30

Soft

Betfred Happy New Year Open National Hunt Flat Race (Cat 1 Elim’) (Go North Jodami Qual’) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £3267.6
  • 1m 7f 144y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Betfred Happy New Year Open National Hunt Flat Race (Cat 1 Elim’) (Go North Jodami Qual’) (GBB)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/4 (Won)

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Favourite when second of ten at Southwell (2m, good) one month ago, which was promising and also makes him the pick on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Pyffo

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won two in a row last June for the O'Neill yard and put up a bold show when close second of six at Doncaster (3m, good to soft; Bugise Seagull third) five weeks ago on second run for this yard; needs extra to win this, though.

9/1

1st

7

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Pyffo

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

pressed leaders, led after 5th, mistake 4 out, pushed along 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, 4 lengths ahead last, always doing enough

9/1

2nd

4

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:47 Doncaster

Pyffo

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

took keen hold, disputed lead, led clearly before 4th, not fluent 2 out, headed approaching last, rallied run-in, no extra towards finish

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
31,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam 5f 2yo/6f winner (RPR 72), sister to smart 2m jumper Violet Dancer, half-sister to bumper and useful 2m hurdle/chase winner Chris Pea Green; strong yard does well in bumpers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Coniston George

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Not particularly consistent but has a chance on his best form; successful at Carlisle in March (2m3f, good to soft) when wearing a visor for the first time, but well beaten off this 7lb higher mark with same headgear when favourite at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good).

6/1

1

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Coniston George

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Not particularly consistent but has a chance on his best form; successful at Carlisle in March (2m3f, good to soft) when wearing a visor for the first time, but well beaten off this 7lb higher mark with same headgear when favourite at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good).

6/1

5th

4

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Coniston George

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Bounced back quickly from last month's poor performance and took form to whole new level at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft; first-time visor) three weeks ago, keeping on strongly to win readily by 6l; went up 7lb for that but must be considered in current mood.

7/4

Form: 1 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
14-1, won eight-runner bumper at Catterick (1m7f, soft) six weeks ago in clearcut style, leading under 3f out; promising start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

You Some Girl

10st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Rebecca Menzies

Made a winning start over fences at Newcastle (2m7f) in October; has failed to build on it though and she unseated her rider at Hexham (3m) two weeks ago; has a bit to prove.

16/1

6

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

You Some Girl

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a three-runner handicap at Newcastle in October (3m, good) but hasn't done quite as well since; back on her last winning mark.

12/1

5th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

13:13 Carlisle

You Some Girl

11st 6lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a three-runner handicap at Newcastle on chase debut in October (2m7f, good); no easy task when pulled up in Lincolnshire National last time; unexposed as a chaser and should improve.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam unraced sister to 2m1f/2m5f chase winner Strawberry Hill, half-sister to bumper winner Bugsy's Girl, from family of Hors La Loi III and Cyborgo; strong yard is 4-22 in bumpers this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

16:05 Ludlow

Pippin Took

11st 6lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Absent since pulled up in a Hereford maiden hurdle (2m3f) last April, failing to back up his bumper effort; market can guide.

25/1

4

6th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

14:25 Hereford

Pippin Took

11st 6lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Too green to do himself justice in a bumper last December but kept on to finish fourth; interesting to note any confidence behind him now tackling hurdles over a longer trip.

10/1

4th

6

30th Dec 2022

Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 4

15:30 Haydock

Pippin Took

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Second foal; dam unraced sister to 2m1f/2m5f chase winner Strawberry Hill, half-sister to bumper winner Bugsy's Girl, from family of Hors La Loi III and Cyborgo; strong yard is 4-22 in bumpers this term.

9/1

Form: 7

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in three Irish points last autumn; had wind op this October and disappointed at Ayr (soft) one month ago; now hooded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

23rd May 2023

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Jims Apple

11st 2lb

J: Edward Austin

T: James Ewart

raced in last, not fluent 3rd

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-4

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth at Chepstow (good to soft) in March and Exeter (good; rallied well) in November; place chance but needs further improvement to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 13lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: James Moffatt

Capable on his day for Jamie Snowden, winning three times; didn't sign off for that yard in bad form and he joined this one for £12,000; could go well.

33/1

4th

5

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Jack Sprat

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Course scorer who went freely when a below-par seventh of ten in 3m Wincanton handicap 25 days ago; drops back in trip now.

9/1

7th

8

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jack Sprat

11st 9lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jamie Snowden

Three-time hurdle winner who seemed to have been refreshed by a 12-week break when a very respectable fourth over C&D (good to soft) in refitted cheekpieces this month; in the mix if in similar form.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; unraced dam closely related to 2m hurdle winner Cornerkova out of bumper/2m6f hurdle/chase winning half-sister to smart Eduard, family of National winner Monty's Pass; second in two British point bumpers; winner of the latter has done nothing for the form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Kallow Point

10st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, soon struggling

12/1

13

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Kallow Point

10st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, soon struggling

12/1

4th

3

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 3

16:37 Bangor-on-Dee

Kallow Point

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

Placed in point bumpers but has shown no worthwhile form under rules, initially for Venetia Williams; couldn't make a case.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1st foal; dam once-raced half-sister to 1m4f Flat, Triumph Hurdle and 2m-2m3f chase winner Farclas; won in October at the sixth attempt in Irish maiden points; made £50,000 in November and he's entered a powerful yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Aug 2024

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 4

17:50 Cartmel

Forcing Bull

12st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Made a winning chasing debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) last month when racing prominently throughout; up 4lb, he was unable to lead when below form over C&D (soft) 13 days later; races off the same mark and may be able to dominate here.

7/2

5th

3

22nd Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

Forcing Bull

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent

100/30

1st

7

9th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Forcing Bull

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

The winner of two soft-ground hurdles but his recent efforts in that discipline weren't his best; goes chasing with a bit to prove, though pointing background bodes well.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
14,000euros yearling; sixth foal; closely related to bumper/2m hurdle winner Fin And Game and bumper winner Nell's Bells; dam unraced half-sister to bumper/high-class 2m-2m6f hurdle/chase winner Peddlers Cross; yard had a bumper winner on debut in March.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

18:10 Uttoxeter

Magical Arthur

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Made good progress when headgear was added in the autumn, winning three times (2m7f-3m1f, good), but was given a break after disappointing run in January and made a low-key reappearance last month; needs to get back in the groove.

10/1

12th

11

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Magical Arthur

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Jennie Candlish

Headgear helped last autumn, with three wins over further, latterly off a 6lb lower mark; has been off for four months since a poor one in blinkers (goes back to cheekpieces tonight) early in the year and will want a good test over this trip.

16/1

12th

11

6th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Worcester

Magical Arthur

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Jennie Candlish

Headgear helped last autumn, with three wins over further, latterly off a 6lb lower mark; has been off for four months since a poor one in blinkers (goes back to cheekpieces tonight) early in the year and will want a good test over this trip.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £50.88

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Pyffo

POSTDATA:

You Some Girl

The Guardian:

Coniston George

LAMBOURN:

Jack Sprat

Daily Mirror:

Kallow Point

Telegraph:

Forcing Bull

RP Ratings:

Pyffo

TOPSPEED:

Pyffo

WEST COUNTRY:

Pyffo

Daily Mail:

Pyffo

The Sun:

Pyffo

The Times:

You Some Girl

D Express:

You Some Girl

Daily Record:

You Some Girl

The Star:

Coniston George