Racecards
16:25 Haydock Park
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Prestige Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 177y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £30,000 added
- Winner: £16,938
- 2nd: £6,387
- 3rd: £3,192
- 4th: £1,593
- Form 65-1111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey Brian Harding
tracked leading pair, not fluent 4th, lost place and behind from 8th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out, pulled up next
- Form 18-2121
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leaders on outside, hit 7th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, stayed on to challenge next, one pace last, no impression flat
- Form 15-2122
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey Danny Cook
led to 2nd, regained narrow lead after next, ridden after 2 out, headed narrowly last, kept on until no extra final 100 yards
- Form 1-31212
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer R Dobbin
- Jockey Craig Nichol
tracked leader, led narrowly 2nd until after next, with leader, ridden after 2 out, led narrowly when not fluent last, edged left flat, stayed on well final 100 yards
- Form 1-25F1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Ian Popham
held up in rear, close up 6th, pushed along in 4th after 4 out, no chance with front trio from next, tailed off
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The front-running Jonniesofa will ensure there is no hanging about here but he may be a sitting duck up the home straight. Vintage Clouds has been a beaten favourite twice since winning here in November while this is a big step up for Taunton scorer Churchtown Champ. But Baywing is on a roll, though all his victories this season have come in handicaps. DUKE DES CHAMPS (NAP) is likely to come here rather than Ascot and looks the most likely winner. A progressive novice, he was very impressive over a similar trip at Ascot four weeks ago and is fancied for next month's Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.
Formwatch
Baywing (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 6 out, outpaced after 4 out, led before last, soon clear, easily, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Goodbye Dancer (11-5) by 5l, 10 ran.
Duke Des Champs (IRE) 10-11fav (11-8) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 6th, led approaching 2 out, quickened clear approaching last, eased closing stages, impressive, won at Ascot 2m 6f (3) sft in Jan beating Western Cape (11-12) by 14l, 10 ran.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 13-8fav (11-11) Tracked winner, ridden before 3 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Bun Doran (11-5) at Haydock 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Jonniesofa (IRE) 15-8fav (12-0) Mostly tracked winner, driven before 2 out, ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, always held, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Delusionofgrandeur (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
Churchtown Champ (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, blundered last, easily, won at Taunton 3m mdn (5) hvy in Jan beating Say My Name (10-12) by 11l, 9 ran.