18:25 Haydock 22 Nov 2025
Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle
Premier Handicap | GBB Race | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner £56,950 - 17 ran
always handy, not fluent 3 out and pushed along in 2nd, ridden after 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in to just hold late challenge
handy on inner, not fluent 4th, awkward next, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, ridden after 2 out, switched right approaching last, ran on well flat to press leader closing stages, just held
wore red hood to post, led, pushed along before 2 out, kept on, ridden before last where headed on approach, stayed on one pace
front mid-division, ridden after 3 out, mistake 2 out, ran on one pace
rear mid-division, pushed along and improved before 3 out, ridden before 2 out where not fluent, stayed on one pace
front mid-division, went 3rd after 4 out, lost position before 3 out and ridden, not fluent 2 out and faded
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, pushed along in 4th before 2 out where mistake and faded
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, never on terms
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, plugged on, never involved
towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden 3 out and held when not fluent 2 out, weakened
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, no response
mid-division on outer, pushed along and weakened 3 out
prominent early, settled mid-division on outer, dropped away 2 out
rear mid-division, ridden 4 out, no progress, fell last
mid-division, pushed along and dropped away tamely after 4 out, pulled up after 2 out
slow jump 1st, chased leaders, dropped away before 7th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up
Expert Analysis
I often think this is a tough race to consider both pre-race and post-race. In this renewal the only place to be was towards the front. The first four horses to pass the winning post with a circuit to go finished in the first four places which adds to the notion that it proved to be difficult to make ground up from the rear.
ELECTRIC MASON Aside from taking off too early at the third last hurdle he jumped well throughout. He tracked the long-time leader for much of the race before taking up the running on the approach to the last hurdle. From thereon in he only just hung on from the fast-finishing runner up.
HARTINGTON Along with the other three to finish in the first four places, he was advantaged by racing towards the fore from the early stages. His late rally only just failed to see him get his head in front on the line.
PHANTOMOFTHEPOINTS Having led for much of the race he was only headed approaching the final hurdle. His position at the front probably played a significant part in his third-place finish.
ACE OF SPADES The final one of the quartet of prominent runners to be advantaged by track position throughout this race. After briefly being outpaced he stayed on again to finish in fourth place and well clear of those in behind. He seems a particularly genuine type of horse and one that should be suited by a more galloping track on another day.
HORACES PEARL Maybe he is the one to mark up from this race having been by far the best finisher of those to be held up off the pace.
MA SHANTOU He raced very wide for much of the race and also well towards the rear. His track position probably did him few favours in a race where it paid to be close to the front end. I think it is also fair to suggest that the Emma Lavelle yard is going through a quiet patch at this point in time. On balance, therefore, I would suggest that this apparently disappointing display is easy to forgive, especially given how impressive he looked last time out at Cheltenham.
Future Form
| Type | Stats | Type | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | 3 runs, 0 wins (0 horses), 0 placed, 3 unplaced | Next time out | 3 runs, 0 wins, 0 placed, 3 unplaced |
| Class analysis | 0 runs up in class, 0 wins, 0 placed, 0 unplaced | Ratings check | Highest winning OR: 0; Highest placed OR: 0 |
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Soft | 15 | Shoot First | 8 | 11 10 | 139 | 41281-5 | 28 days | C Byrnes | A Harvey | 22/ 1 | 6:36.10 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 15 | Slate Lane | 5 | 10 12 | 127 | 0D-1111 | 35 days | E Mullins | Donagh Meyler | 11/ 4 | 5:59.80 | |
| 2022 | Soft | 13 | Botox Has | 6 | 11 11 | 144 | F8231-2 | 28 days | G & J Moore (233 miles) | Caoilin Quinn | 17/ 2 | 6:06.93 | |
| 2021 | Good | 12 | Dans Le Vent | 8 | 10 12 | 135 | 14482-2 | 35 days | Evan Williams (205 miles) | Isabel Williams | 16/ 1 | 5:53.60 | |
| 2020 | Soft | 17 | Main Fact | 7 | 11 4 | 147 | 111-111 | 17 days | D Pipe (209 miles) | Fergus Gillard | 13/ 2 | 6:22.32 | |
| 2019 | Good to Soft | 17 | Stoney Mountain | 6 | 11 3 | 138 | 2123P-1 | 27 days | H D Daly (93 miles) | Tom O'Brien | 16/ 1 | 6:01.20 | |
| 2018 | Good | 7 | Paisley Park | 6 | 11 12 | 147 | 21220-1 | 27 days | Miss E C Lavelle (184 miles) | Aidan Coleman | 4/ 1 | 5:44.00 | |
| 2017 | Heavy | 16 | Sam Spinner | 5 | 10 9 | 139 | 21211-2 | 42 days | Jedd O'Keeffe (100 miles) | Joe Colliver | 6/ 1 | 5:47.60 | |
| 2016 | Heavy | 13 | Kruzhlinin | 9 | 10 13 | 136 | 215P-P3 | 14 days | P Hobbs & J White (192 miles) | Richard Johnson | 9/ 1 | 5:57.10 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 16 | Baradari | 5 | 11 2 | 136 | 0-30100 | 225 days | D Skelton (111 miles) | Harry Skelton | 12/ 1 | 5:42.68 | |
| 2014 | Soft | 16 | Aubusson | 5 | 11 6 | 141 | 7113-2 | 28 days | Nick Williams (241 miles) | Lizzie Kelly | 9/ 1 | 5:56.40 | |
| 2013 | Soft | 17 | Gevrey Chambertin | 5 | 11 7 | 143 | 4-111P6 | 232 days | D Pipe (209 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 6/ 1 | 5:43.80 | |
| 2012 | Soft | 16 | Trustan Times | 6 | 11 12 | 142 | 33236-1 | 21 days | T D Easterby (107 miles) | Dougie Costello | 10/ 1 | 6:08.00 | |
| 2011 | Good to Soft | 20 | Dynaste | 5 | 11 2 | 141 | 45-3216 | 252 days | D Pipe (209 miles) | Conor O'Farrell | 7/ 1 | 5:37.70 | |
| 2010 | Good to Soft | 18 | Grands Crus | 5 | 10 10 | 126 | 97212-1 | 6 days | D Pipe (209 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 6/ 4 | 5:41.40 | |
| 2009 | Soft | 16 | Diamond Harry | 6 | 11 12 | 149 | 1-11113 | 255 days | Nick Williams (241 miles) | Timmy Murphy | 9/ 2 | 6:01.25 | |
| 2008 | Good | 15 | According To Pete | 7 | 10 13 | 132 | 335-411 | 15 days | J M Jefferson (107 miles) | Graham Lee | 11/ 2 | 5:50.70 | |
| 2007 | Soft | 18 | Millenium Royal | 7 | 11 12 | 156 | 010P-86 | 21 days | F Doumen | C Pieux | 20/ 1 | 6:06.00 | |
| 2006 | Good to Soft | 17 | Halcon Genelardais | 6 | 10 2 | 133 | F41115 | 210 days | A King (177 miles) | R Thornton | 5/ 1 | 5:53.40 | |
| 2005 | Good to Soft | 14 | St Matthew | 7 | 11 4 | 137 | UF68-51 | 21 days | J Parkinson & S Smith (59 miles) | P Whelan | 25/ 1 | 6:05.60 |