EMITOM TO RELIVE PAST GLORIES AT HAYDOCK
Stage Star found a leg on the landing side of the final fence to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup last Saturday. Both our selections ran well to finish 2nd and 3rd and will get their turn over the rest of the season.
Today, it is the Betfair Chase that is the highlight at Haydock backed up with the valuable Betfair stayers handicap hurdle. 16 runners go to post and we hope for a surprise result taking on those shorties at the top of the market.
I am keen to take on the younger horses at the top of the market. They have to prove themselves over a truly run three miles and could well be found wanting. Emitom was a class novice hurdler who finished second to Champ at the 2019 Aintree Festival at Grade 1 level over three miles. His inconsistency has resulted in this lightly raced 9yo dropping to a handicap mark of 127. No offence to Warren Greatrex but I like that he has gone to trainer Alan King. He won on his first run for Alan at Newbury last season.
This season, he returned at Newbury earlier this month when tiring late to finish second behind Young Butler. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs to 130 but as this is an early closing race, he is allowed run off his old mark of 127. Emitom can step forward again here and has the ability to win carrying a low weight of 10-12. Tom Cannon seems to get on well with the horse and he could surprise against those at the top of the market.
Wakool is a huge price and totally overlooked in the betting. This 7yo is a proper stayer and enjoyed a lovely prep race at Ayr three weeks ago. He ran well in this race last season but found the ground too testing finishing 7th to winner Botox Has. He won over course and distance late last season when accounting for Itchy Feet off level weights in a Grade 2 hurdle. Wakool will love the good to soft ground and likes to come from off the pace.
I think he has a good chance of placing and who knows might even cause a major shock wearing a first-time visor.
Haydock – 2:20
0.5 point each way Emitom 12/1 Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook & Bet365, all 5 places.
0.5 point each way Wakool 33/1 Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, 888sport & Bet365, all 5 places.
Past Results
Click to see past Big Saturday Race Preview Tips results
The Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle is a Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of about 3 miles and half a furlongs (3 miles and 58 yards, or 4,881 metres). It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.
From 2007 to 2016 this race featured the use of Fixed Brush hurdles. These are based on the French hurdle design, similar to plain fences but lower in height. Unlike the traditional hurdle they are very rigid in construction. In 2017 the race reverted to standard hurdles.
The race was first run in 2005. It was awarded Grade 3 status in 2011 (such races were rebranded as Premier Handicaps in 2022). It has been sponsored by Betfair since its inception and the race title has changed to promote various Betfair websites and promotions. The race is currently run on the same day as the Betfair Chase. Prior to 2018 it was run over distances around 2 miles and 7 furlongs.
Winners over past 10 years
| Year | Winner | Age | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Botox Has | 6 | 11-04 | Caoilin Quinn | Gary Moore |
| 2021 | Dans Le Vent | 8 | 10-07 | Isabel Williams | Evan Williams |
| 2020 | Main Fact | 7 | 10-11 | Fergus Gillard | David Pipe |
| 2019 | Stoney Mountain | 6 | 11-03 | Tom O'Brien | Henry Daly |
| 2018 | Paisley Park | 6 | 11-12 | Aidan Coleman | Emma Lavelle |
| 2017 | Sam Spinner | 5 | 10-09 | Joe Colliver | Jedd O'Keeffe |
| 2016 | Kruzhlinin | 9 | 10–13 | Richard Johnson | Philip Hobbs |
| 2015 | Baradari | 5 | 11-02 | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 2014 | Aubusson | 5 | 10–13 | Lizzie Kelly | Nick Williams |
| 2013 | Gevrey Chambertin | 5 | 11-07 | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
Best of Luck,
Nicky