April 08 / 16.25 Haydock

16.25

Good To Soft

cavani.co.uk Peculiar Pocket Square Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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cavani.co.uk Peculiar Pocket Square Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.90
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 544

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner who has shown some ability in 2m/2m1f maiden hurdles on last two outings (good to soft); withdrawn twice since because of soft ground; some step up in trip should suit and, although this is a big one, he needs a second look on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Some Scope

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Richard Hobson

Won from the front in first-time visor (kept since) at Doncaster in December; back to form when second at Newbury on latest start, his second run after his second wind operation; has a competitive mark but his inconsistency and going beyond 3m2f both introduce doubts.

5/1

2nd

7

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Some Scope

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Not easy to predict but he's only 2lb higher than when making all at Doncaster (3m, good) just after Christmas, and he probably went off too fast when beaten 33l there (3m2f, soft) three weeks ago; not discounted.

11/2

2nd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Some Scope

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Physical issues came to light after disappointing in a cross-country race last time; wore just a tongue-tie then but the visor that worked so well when a 3l winner here the time before now returns, as does Charlie Maggs with his claim; however, he has become hard to predict and underwent further wind surgery only recently.

15/2

11/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 1-436P

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won Carlisle bumper last March; started hurdling career with a solid fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in November but has made three backward steps since, in handicaps on last two occasions and over 2m7f on latest; has been making jumping errors.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

7th Oct 2023

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

14:15 Fontwell

Imperial B G

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Runner-up at Haydock in April but tailed off at Warwick the following month and absent since; yard in good form and James Turner takes off a very handy 10lb, so there are grounds for optimism.

9/2

9th

8

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

19:55 Warwick

Imperial B G

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Bumper winner who has been inconsistent in his five-race hurdling career but he returned to form with a good second at Haydock (3m, good to soft) last month and is a key player if he's on song once more.

11/2

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 3F891P

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Held on narrowly when making most at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in February, opening his account at the 12th attempt; flopped at Southwell 12 days later; unraced beyond an extended 2m5f; no prizes for consistency; non-runner Wetherby 4.20 on Thursday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

14:45 Perth

Doors Breaker

10st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tjade Collier

led, mistake 4th, not fluent 8th, headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out, soon pulled up

8/1

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: 34-15P D

Last run: 99 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
3m Chepstow winner on handicap debut in October but tailed off at Lingfield next time (reportedly unsuited by soft ground) and pulled up at Taunton latest, so has lost some of his lustre; absent 99 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:39 Chepstow

Bobalot

11st 7lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Laura Horsfall

Well beaten before last-fence refusal on latest outing in February but has a largely consistent record over hurdles; will be suited by the trip/ground and has slipped to a good mark; each-way claims at least.

8/1

1

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:30 Market Rasen

Bobalot

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Laura Horsfall

Has won three times over hurdles and finished third for the fourth successive time in that sphere at Southwell (3m, good to soft) 15 days ago; back over fences after a couple of failed attempts in November 2023 but tends to find at least one too good.

9/1

3rd

2

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:27 Southwell

Bobalot

11st 11lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Laura Horsfall

Huntingdon winner in April (3m1f, good); fair runs over this trip on good to soft/soft/heavy on last three starts; each-way chance

9/1

Form: P-PBPP D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won twice in ten days over fences at Bangor in May 2021 (both 3m on soft); 9lb lower today than for the second win, having completed in only one of eight races since (remote second when he did get round); 13yo who now reverts to hurdling for first time since February 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:18 Uttoxeter

Loch Garman Aris

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

Creditable second of 17 here (2m7f, good to soft) last May but this teenager has struggled in both runs this winter and he remains without a win since 2021.

25/1

8th

13

17th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell

Loch Garman Aris

10st 7lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

towards rear

20/1

6th

7

8th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Warwick

Loch Garman Aris

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

Veteran who has never won over hurdles but who finished a good second of 17 at Uttoxeter when last seen in May; has tended to need an outing in recent seasons but repeat of that effort would put him firmly in this.

13/2

Form: 980403

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
0-11 and inconsistent form; one of his better efforts when third of six at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) last time, so not totally dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

8th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 5

16:25 Haydock

Master Of The Malt

10st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Daragh Bourke

0-11 and inconsistent form; one of his better efforts when third of six at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) last time, so not totally dismissed.

14/1

3rd

6

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:00 Sedgefield

Master Of The Malt

10st 13lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Daragh Bourke

Inconsistent maiden who took his record to 0-10 with a poor effort last time; however, this new trip may well suit, judged on the way he shaped two starts ago.

12/1

10th

11

10th Mar 2023

Good

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

13:30 Ayr

Master Of The Malt

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Daragh Bourke

0-7 over hurdles; stayed on for fourth when upped to 3m1f at Carlisle (good to soft) last month and has the services of Brian Hughes today but needs to find something extra to get a win on the board.

10/1

5/1

Form: 4-6373

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
No threat in three novice hurdles (2m-2m4f) but went up in trip in first-time cheekpieces for his handicap debut at Taunton (3m, good) early last month and finished a lot closer in third of nine; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

12th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

12:58 Huntingdon

Aldsworth

11st 8lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Best granted a sharp, flat right-handed track, but present attainment level uncertain having overraced in front on November's seasonal return here (debuted blinkers are retained); from the family of Hand Inn Hand and Tom Brodie, so may yet take to his new vocation of chasing.

10/1

Form: 6655-2

Last run: 150 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner in 2020; showed some ability on hurdle debut and, although it took a while, he backed up that form when second at Ayr (2m3f, soft) in November 2022 on handicap debut; worst result last term came over 3m but that latest run puts him back in the picture.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

15:25 Wetherby

Here Comes The Man

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

Won in fine style on his chase debut at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last April; strong claims if reproducing that form but hasn't been at the same level on his three starts since and needs to raise his game.

10/1

5th

5

14th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

12:30 Newcastle

Here Comes The Man

11st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

Won in fine style on his chase debut over C&D (heavy); he'll be tough to beat if reproducing that form now back here, but he's been well beaten on his two starts since (3m/3m2f, soft) and has to turn things around.

8/1

6th

4

26th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 34y

Class 4

16:30 Carlisle

Here Comes The Man

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

Point winner who impressed on his chase debut at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) in April; well beaten at Perth (3m, soft) 13 days later but that run may have come too soon and this lightly raced 8yo retains potential.

13/2

Form: -78431

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Better again when sent handicapping on last two starts, winning by 6l in a ten-runner race at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) on latest; raised 6lb but well on top last time and could easily have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

8th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 5

16:25 Haydock

Marty Time

11st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

Better again when sent handicapping on last two starts, winning by 6l in a ten-runner race at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) on latest; raised 6lb but well on top last time and could easily have more to offer.

5/2

1st

3

28th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

Marty Time

11st 11lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

prominent, led after 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and went clear home turn, pushed out run-in, comfortably

5/2

3rd

4

1st Feb 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:20 Leicester

Marty Time

11st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

Some late headway in novice company at Wetherby (2m3f, soft; 28-1; beaten 43l) last month; possibly will prove suited by this slightly longer trip on handicap debut but chasing could prove his long-term forte.

20/1

Form: P91801 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent sort but he won over about 3m2f at Hereford (good to soft) in November and Huntingdon (good; by a nose) in March, both with changes of headgear, which he does not have today; withdrawn when ground was soft last week; also non-runner Wetherby 4.20 Thursday; has to be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Braganza Bay

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Dual C&D winner; not at best since returning from one-year absence in November and was particularly disappointing when pulled up over fences last month; needs a revival but is back hurdling on a tempting mark.

9/2

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Braganza Bay

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has won two of five handicaps here, hurdles and fences (C&D; good), but he hasn't yet found his form since back from an absence and now tackles fences for the first time since pulling up twice at the end of 2024; below latest winning mark but questions remain.

7/2

4th

2

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:42 Hereford

Braganza Bay

11st 13lb

J: Elliott England

T: Henry Daly

Hard to predict but goes well here and he was far from disgraced when 8l fourth of seven over C&D in December; below his last winning mark; more appealing than most.

3/1

Form: -0046F

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden; has bits of form, not the most solid though and he was well held when falling at the final flight last time; had first-time cheekpieces that day and now also has his tongue tied; moves up from 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

14th May 2023

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:35 Ludlow

Rocket Robbo

10st 13lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Unplaced all eight hurdling starts; quite well handicapped if judged on his sixth of 13 at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in February but ran poorly when tried over 3m last month; considered only if lively in the betting.

20/1

8

8th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 5

16:25 Haydock

Rocket Robbo

10st 11lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Eight-race maiden; has bits of form, not the most solid though and he was well held when falling at the final flight last time; had first-time cheekpieces that day and now also has his tongue tied; moves up from 2m4f.

25/1

6

6th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:10 Southwell

Rocket Robbo

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Seven-race maiden; shaped with promise on handicap debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good; sixth to Doors Breaker) most recently, keeping on from a difficult position; possibilities if he takes well to first-time headgear.

14/1

Non-runners

Here Comes The Man

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.40
Straight Forecast £27.41
Tricast £191.79
Trifecta £309.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Marty Time

WEST COUNTRY:

Some Scope

The Times:

Aldsworth

The Guardian:

Here Comes The Man

RP Ratings:

Bobalot

Daily Mail:

Some Scope

Daily Mirror:

Some Scope

D Express:

Aldsworth

Daily Record:

Here Comes The Man

TOPSPEED:

Marty Time

POSTDATA:

Marty Time

Telegraph:

Marty Time

The Sun:

Marty Time

The Star:

Marty Time