Haydock Betting Odds
Haydock
Haydock
Handicap | Hurdle | 1m 7f 144y
Serious Challenge
Clearly amiss in the Greatwood at Cheltenham last time, SERIOUS CHALLENGE is taken to get back on track by bagging this prize. He didn't shape badly when too keen over 2½m on return at Aintree and, judged on his exploits as a novice last term, he surely has races in him in 2m handicaps off this sort of mark. Brentford Hope rates the clear main danger ahead of Geromino, who will be a live each-way player if ready to roll following a lengthy absence.
- Win or E/W
- Forecast
- Tricast
E/W Terms: 1/5 odds first 3
Last available win price
- 1Brentford HopeJ: Megan FoxT: Harry Derham24-8446Age 815/815/87/4
- OR: 135
- EQ: Cheekpieces
- Days Since Last Run: 18
Smart performer at his best and final win of his 3 victories registered during 2023/24 campaign came over this C&D off 5 lb higher. Not at his best so far this season (initially tried over fences), but showed enough back hurdling at Cheltenham recently to suggest that he still has plenty to offer.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosCheltenham2m 179yGood to SoftHurdle6/11Exeter2m 1f 109yGood to Soft (Soft in places)Chase4/4Cheltenham1m 7f 199ySoft (Heavy in places)Chase4/6Punchestown2m 149yYieldingHurdle8/17Wincanton1m 7f 50yGood to Soft (Soft in places)Hurdle4/4- 3Serious ChallengeJ: Jonathan BurkeT: Fergal O'Brien1114-4PAge 515/815/82/1
- OR: 127
- EQ: -
- Days Since Last Run: 44
Borderline smart on the Flat in Ireland and progressive over hurdles when rattling off a hat-trick of maiden/novice company last season. Excuses both starts since returning to action in October and he's of strong interest eased in class here. Yard also saddles Stoner's Choice.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosCheltenham2m 87ySoftHurdlepu/18Aintree2m 4fGood to SoftHurdle4/6Sandown Park1m 7f 216yGood (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle4/14Southwell1m 7f 182yGoodHurdle1/5Ayr2mHeavy (Soft in places)Hurdle1/6- 4GerominoJ: William MaggsT: Donald McCain1190/4-Age 915/215/28/1
- OR: 125
- EQ: Tongue strap
- Days Since Last Run: 592
Was at the top of his game when bagging back-to-back handicap hurdles at Doncaster a couple of years ago and by no means disgraced at Aintree on latest start in May 2024. Resumes on a potentially handy mark and while a 19-month absence is naturally a concern, he is well worth a second look.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosAintree2m 4fGoodHurdle4/12Cheltenham2m 179yGood (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle10/18Kelso2m 51yGood to SoftHurdle9/17Doncaster2m 3f 88yGood (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle1/13Doncaster2m 128yGood to Soft (Good In Places)Hurdle1/11- 6Stoner's ChoiceJ: Fern O'BrienT: Fergal O'Brien2-00560Age 108/115/2
- OR: 123
- EQ: Tongue strap
- Days Since Last Run: 18
Has yet to fire this season and while his mark is on the slide (now 7 lb lower than when second in a competitive Kempton handicap in February), this 10-y-o needs to bounce back in a major way.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosCheltenham2m 179yGood to SoftHurdle11/11Windsor2mGood to SoftHurdle6/9Carlisle2m 3f 210yGood to Soft (Soft in places)Chase5/5Cheltenham2m 3f 200yGood to SoftHurdle10/20Punchestown2m 7f 110yYieldingHurdle17/23- 5Col Du Pre'J: Charlie DeutschT: Venetia Williams414-UAge 410/112/111/1
- OR: 123
- EQ: -
- Days Since Last Run: 31
Fairly useful on the Flat and over hurdles in France before changing hands for €80,000 last November. However, sent off at 50/1 and showed next to nothing when unseating rider on British debut at Newbury last month, tailed off when unshipping Charlie Deutsch at the third-last.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosNewbury2m 69ySoft (Good to Soft in places)Hurdleur/8Auteuil2m 1f 88ySoftHurdle4/12Clairefontaine2m 198yVery softHurdle1/6Clairefontaine2m 198yVery softHurdle4/11Longchamp1m 1f 207ySoftFlat4/7- 2BucephalusJ: Harriet TuckerT: Neil MulhollandF211-64Age 811/111/110/1
- OR: 130
- EQ: Cheekpieces and tongue strap
- Days Since Last Run: 18
Likeable front-runner who ended last term on a high, recording back-to-back wins at Newbury and Chepstow. However, hit pretty hard by the handicapper for that brace and has struggled both starts so far this season. Now tried in cheekpieces.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosDoncaster2m 3f 88yGood to Soft (Soft in places)Hurdle4/6Chepstow2m 11yGoodHurdle6/6Chepstow2m 11ySoftHurdle1/7Newbury2m 69ySoftHurdle1/11Chepstow2m 11ySoft (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle2/14- 8Sun Lady MarineJ: Charlie MaggsT: Paula Smith5P28-32Age 414/111/112/1
- OR: 117
- EQ: -
- Days Since Last Run: 218
Successful over hurdles in France in July 2024 and picked up for €25,556 after narrowly losing out in a claimer at Compiegne when last seen in May. Not easy to assess and the market may prove instructive ahead of this debut for new connections.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosCompiegne2m 1f 33ySoftChase2/8Bordeaux2m 2f 196ySoftChase3/7Auteuil2m 1f 88ySoftChase8/10Angers2m 2f 86yChase2/10Auteuil2m 1f 88yVery heavyHurdlepu/10- 7RauzanJ: Sean QuinlanT: Lizzie Quinlan8-54095Age 518/118/120/1
- OR: 117
- EQ: Cheekpieces
- Days Since Last Run: 30
Fairly useful at best, but well held final run for Eoin Doyle in September (subsequently sold for £11,000) and hasn't troubled the judge in couple of runs for present connections.DateCourseDistGoingTypePosCarlisle2m 1fSoftHurdle5/8Wetherby2m 5f 56ySoft (Good to Soft in places)Hurdle9/9Listowel3mYielding (Yielding to Soft in places)Hurdle11/13Clonmel2m 144ySoftFlat4/12Tramore2mGood to YieldingFlat6/9