March 30 / 16.25 Haydock

16.25

Soft

Mick Sziler Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9241.75
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Mick Sziler Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 0-434P

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Point winner who made it 0-8 under rules in Ireland when pulled up last month; however, he ran well when third of 13 in a handicap at Limerick (3m, heavy) in December and his new trainer does well with recruits from other yards; interesting on stable debut, especially if well backed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

One Big Bang

11st 9lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Fifth in last year's Pertemps Final here as a staying hurdler and also ran well here when he had no answer to Wade Out after the final fence in November (3m1f, soft) on chase debut; readily beat a useful rival in a match at Southwell (3m, good to soft) next time and 2m3f offers an excuse for latest start, so he might be capable of better, which is needed.

9/1

3rd

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 3

13:15 Doncaster

One Big Bang

11st 8lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Talented staying hurdler who was a good Listed second on his chase debut at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) in November, and readily beat a useful rival in a match at Southwell (3m, good to soft) last month; drops back in trip today but there can be optimism he'll cope and he's a leading contender.

6/4

3rd

20

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

One Big Bang

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Career-best to beat Doddiethegreat in a Pertemps Qualifier at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) and didn't run at all badly in the Final; couldn't dismiss with Sean Bowen taking over for the first time.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 493

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
First past the post in British maiden point last April (3m, good to soft; disqualified due to carrying incorrect weight); took step in right direction when 23l third of 15 at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) last month on third hurdle start and he could relish this longer trip on handicap debut; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Best Life

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Mel Rowley

towards rear on outer

8/1

14th

13

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Best Life

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

always behind

14/1

14th

13

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Best Life

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

always behind

14/1

Form: 265232

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Heavy-ground handicap hurdle winner (2m4f) who has run well in defeat on his last three starts (2m3f/2m5f); however, he's just 1-14 over hurdles and may be vulnerable to stronger stayers now back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

12:30 Fakenham

Awesome Foursome

11st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

didn't always jump with fluency, prominent, lost ground 3rd, headway before 3 out

9/2

2nd

4

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

12:30 Fakenham

Awesome Foursome

11st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

didn't always jump with fluency, prominent, lost ground 3rd, headway before 3 out

9/2

3rd

9

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

12:22 Ffos Las

Awesome Foursome

10st 9lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Lacked fluency when fourth in two 3m Fakenham chases this autumn and now reverts to hurdling; will be suited by today's drop back in trip, though, and and won't mind the forecast rain; can exploit a favourable mark.

5/1

Form: U33436

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Made it 0-10 when tailed off at Taunton (3m, soft) last month and has something to prove, including with his jumping; however, prior to that he was a good third when upped in trip at Huntingdon (3m1f, soft) and he could be thereabouts if rediscovering that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Spitalfield

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended string of heavy defeats when third in first-time cheekpieces here (3m1f, good; handes soft) last month but didn't find much in the closing stages, and it's hard to tell whether he'll build on that performance.

11/2

3rd

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Spitalfield

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Only 1-24 and that win was nearly two years ago; he was in no form earlier this year and plenty depends on whether cheekpieces can trigger something; he's dropped to a good mark.

9/2

8th

9

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Spitalfield

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Sole win came off just 1lb higher in May 2024; some creditable efforts subsequently but his hurdling has often held him back and he's been tailed off all three starts since January.

16/1

Form: 84313 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
3m point winner who scored by 6l on handicap debut at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on February 13; merely a 12l third there (3m, heavy) 13 days later but perhaps that run came too soon and this lightly raced 6yo retains potential for her good yard; no surprise to see a big performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

12:55 Newcastle

Fiveafterfour

11st 10lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear

4/1

3rd

2

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

12:55 Newcastle

Fiveafterfour

11st 10lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3632

Last run: 16 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Signs of promise in points/bumper and showed improved form when rallying for close second in maiden hurdle at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) a fortnight ago; this brother to 2m7f/3m winner No But I Will (RPR 122) is open to improvement now up in trip on handicap debut and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

12:20 Hexham

Rock Steady Eddie

11st 13lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

towards rear, headway and midfield after 5th, weakened after 2 out

16/1

7th

3

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

12:20 Hexham

Rock Steady Eddie

11st 13lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

towards rear, headway and midfield after 5th, weakened after 2 out

16/1

8th

7

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

13:55 Hexham

Rock Steady Eddie

11st 6lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

midfield, in touch with leaders 6th

25/1

Form: 1211F3 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Shot up the weights after winning four times this season (including over C&D on heavy) and he needs to prove he can cope with his current mark; however, he failed to settle in front before weakening into a well-beaten third at Lingfield last time, and could bounce back at some stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

9th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

Hill Of Tara

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Four-time hurdle winner who made it 0-5 over fences when running no race at Uttoxeter in December; that was on heavy ground but he went well in the mud in 2023 and 2024, and is well handicapped if he can get his act together over fences.

8/1

6th

5

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:47 Fontwell

Hill Of Tara

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

In great form over hurdles last winter with four wins at up to 3m2f; has been generally disappointing since last success though, and was pulled up over fences at Leicester (2m6f, soft) in February; still unexposed in this sphere but he needs to bounce back after another break.

7/1

6th

5

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:47 Fontwell

Hill Of Tara

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

In great form over hurdles last winter with four wins at up to 3m2f; has been generally disappointing since last success though, and was pulled up over fences at Leicester (2m6f, soft) in February; still unexposed in this sphere but he needs to bounce back after another break.

7/1

Form: 426-4

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Displayed ability in maiden hurdles early last year; the first-time hood may help him settle better and this lightly raced 7yo may have needed the run at Taunton last month when back from a year off, but he's now been well beaten in both handicaps and needs to leave those runs behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Keable

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Prevailed in a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) to make it four wins from his last seven starts; building up a respectable strike-rate and the 9yo has certainly improved with age; not ruled out.

12/1

1st

6

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Keable

10st 9lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Two soft-ground wins last term and another at Newbury (3m) on reappearance; respectable third to King Of The Lake here but not so good at Warwick latest; needs to find extra and 7lb-claiming amateur (who rode a winner for the stable last Saturday) is recruited.

9/1

6th

9

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Keable

10st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Good strike-rate (3-5) in 2025; creditable third at Chepstow (2m7f) last time and remains in form but is held by Royal Rambler on that effort and has perhaps reached his ceiling after climbing the weights.

14/1

Form: 0-3121 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut at Ayr (2m5f, soft) in December and, after a close second of 13 there (3m, soft) last month, he returned to winning ways in a small field at Hexham (2m7f, heavy) a fortnight ago; he could do with jumping better than last time but he's progressive and on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Cream Of The West

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

Sole attempt in Class 5 resulted in a hurdles win off this mark; possibilities returned to this grade on third chase start.

8/1

3

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Cream Of The West

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

Sole attempt in Class 5 resulted in a hurdles win off this mark; possibilities returned to this grade on third chase start.

8/1

4th

6

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Cream Of The West

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

Made an early mistake and unable to threaten when sixth of 14 on this month's chase and seasonal debut at Hexham (2m4f, soft), but he made some late headway; won over 2m7f on heavy ground over hurdles at Hexham in March and he could have a part to play now upped in trip.

13/2

Form: 855331

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Placed in points and improved form when winning at Bangor (2m7f, soft) last Saturday on her second handicap start; she's 7lb higher in this better race but did it very comfortably last time and is entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Jalisco Star

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

In-form staying mare whose wins in December/February flanked second-place finishes; made the frame at Newbury most recently; may no longer be a step ahead of the assessor but still holds reasonably solid claims.

6/1

4th

7

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Jalisco Star

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Laura Horsfall

2-4 since returned to hurdling in the autumn, the latter win gained in four-runner mares' race at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) a fortnight ago; evidently in very good nick but has quite a bit more on her plate here.

7/1

1st

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

15:10 Chepstow

Jalisco Star

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Laura Horsfall

Couldn't get much going over fences but form figures of 122 since returned to hurdling at Class 4 level; up a grade here off a career-high mark, but this assured stayer has plenty in her favour otherwise.

11/4

Non-runners

Both Barrels

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.60
Straight Forecast £15.59
Tricast £107.62
Trifecta £143.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Awesome Foursome

The Times:

Cream Of The West

The Guardian:

Both Barrels

POSTDATA:

Hill Of Tara

D Express:

Fiveafterfour

The Star:

Jalisco Star

SPOTLIGHT:

One Big Bang

The Sun:

Both Barrels

TOPSPEED:

Awesome Foursome

WEST COUNTRY:

Awesome Foursome

Daily Mirror:

Awesome Foursome

Daily Record:

Hill Of Tara

Telegraph:

Cream Of The West

Daily Mail:

Cream Of The West