December 30 / 13.30 Haydock

13.30

Heavy

Betfred “Bet Builder” Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6601.25
  • 2m 3f 203y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfred “Bet Builder” Handicap Chase

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.70
  • Place: £2.20

Form: F32-45 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten on both starts this season but he often ran well last term and is now 8lb lower than when third in this race (heavy) 12 months ago; perhaps the first-time headgear will prompt a return to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Ned Tanner

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Dual winner over 2m4f on soft ground in 2024-25 season but has been rather inconsistent and didn't offer enough when fifth of seven over C&D (good) three weeks ago to suggest he's likely to cash in on his reduced mark now.

9/1

5th

7

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Ned Tanner

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Dual winner over 2m4f on soft ground last season; has been rather inconsistent since wind surgery this term; has won over this trip, but perhaps better at shorter and has no easy task from 3lb out of the handicap.

12/1

3

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:41 Hexham

Ned Tanner

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

He's down to a dangerous mark and showed some spark at Haydock in December three starts ago; however, two disappointing performances have followed from this 10yo and he needs to get back on track.

6/1

14/1

  • Place: £9.90

Form: 6311P3 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row in October (2m4f, good/good to soft) and he's run well on testing ground in the past; however, he's struggled on his last two starts (2m4f, good to soft/soft) and needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

The Flier Begley

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Well beaten at Haydock last time (behind Genois) in a race he won the previous season; now below par in his last three chases and belatedly tries cheekpieces at the age of 11.

10/1

8th

8

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

The Flier Begley

11st 3lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Won this last year (good) and followed up at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) in June off a mark 1lb higher than today's; pulled up/tailed off over fences on next two starts but his recent outing over hurdles was fairly encouraging and he could build on that now back chasing.

10/1

2nd

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

The Flier Begley

11st 5lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Six-time chase winner who won last summer but twice disappointed since; he's 0-8 as a hurdler but ability needs respecting when there's no depth to this race.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-5111 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
He's posted three easy wins from the front this month, the first two over hurdles (2m, soft) and the latest a match here (2m, heavy) on his second chase start; faces a tougher assignment today but he should be fine now back up in trip and this thriving 6yo could play another leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Classic Maestro

10st 13lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Good second at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in January and ran well before fading into 14 third at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; however, his best form has come on soft/heavy ground and such conditions seem unlikely today.

15/2

3rd

2

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:55 Ayr

Classic Maestro

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Predictably struggled in Grade 1 Ascot Chase three weeks ago but looked as good as ever when second in good Sandown handicap (1m7f, soft) two starts ago and will be fine over today's trip; good chance.

9/4

Form: 11PF3- CD

Last run: 268 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Below par on final outing last season but he tends to run well on his reappearance and he won this in convincing fashion from the front last year (heavy), when completing a double; he's only 4lb higher 12 months on and is firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Happy And Fine

12st 1lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m, good to soft) in December but he's failed to complete in three subsequent runs and didn't get very far at Stratford (unseated at first) two weeks ago; only 2lb lower than for his last success but he comes with risks attached.

12/1

3

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m) in December but he isn't the easiest to catch right and was pulled up in 2m7f handicap at Newbury last time; others are preferred.

10/1

4

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Back to form when winning for a third time over fences in a 3m handicap at Warwick (good to soft) and would have won easier had he not idled late on; unseated midrace off this 4lb higher mark at Leicester three weeks later; respected.

10/1

Form: F165-8 D BF

Last run: 51 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
He failed to progress last season and was soundly beaten in eighth on his reappearance in the Grand Sefton at Aintree last month; however, he's back down in grade today and is just 3lb higher than when impressive at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in October 2023 on his second chase start; also effective on soft ground; only six and no surprise if he bounces back with a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Idalko Bihoue

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders

10/1

8th

14

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Idalko Bihoue

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders

10/1

5th

1

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:30 Haydock

Idalko Bihoue

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders, raced slightly wide back straight

3/1

Form: 51271/ D

Last run: 612 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Has a hefty absence to defy and he returns minus cheekpieces, but he won two of his final four races for Andrew Hamilton in early 2023 (2m3f/3m6f, good to soft/soft) and his new yard can ready one after a layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

If Not For Dylan

11st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Thorough stayer who made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February and rebounded from a lesser effort when third at Perth (3m, good) last month; has never run here before but is sure to be suited by this move back up in trip.

6/1

3rd

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

If Not For Dylan

10st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Disappointing at Haydock last time (3m1f, good) but successful at Doncaster before that (3m, good to soft); each-way chance.

9/1

7th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

If Not For Dylan

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Veteran who retains enthusiasm, and he jumped well and made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February, but he's back up 6lb and probably in a stronger race here.

6/1

Form: 4411-6 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Last season's progressive campaign culminated in a 2m heavy-ground double; versatile ground-wise and stays this far; last of six on last month's reappearance at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) but it wasn't a bad run and he could improve for both that outing and today's reapplied cheekpieces; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Trac

11st 1lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

Landed the 2m series final on this card in 2024; two from two since wearing blinkers, gamely beating Wolfburg by a head over C&D (good to soft) latest; respected in the retained blinds.

8/1

1st

1

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:10 Carlisle

Trac

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Returned to form to win in first-time blinkers (retained) at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in December; back up 5lb he remains 2lb lower than when scoring here (2m, heavy) in April 2024 and he's one to consider.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £101.10
Straight Forecast £77.04
Trifecta £380.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Classic Maestro

RP RATINGS:

Ned Tanner

The Sun:

Idalko Bihoue

TOPSPEED:

Trac

The Guardian:

If Not For Dylan

POSTDATA:

Classic Maestro

The Times:

Classic Maestro

Telegraph:

Classic Maestro

Daily Mail:

Classic Maestro

D Express:

Classic Maestro

Daily Mirror:

Classic Maestro

Daily Record:

Classic Maestro

The Star:

Ned Tanner