'I didn't expect to be coming here' - Dan Skelton on his three runners in valuable staying handicap hurdle

Emmet Mullins led home a one-two for the Irish in this last year with Slate Lane and for the same owner, Paul Byrne, Backmersackme bids to give connections another success.

This point winner hasn’t exactly been pulling up trees on the Flat in recent times, but his handicap hurdle debut on soft ground at Worcester was an encouraging effort. He was beaten only three lengths, just tapped for toe in the closing stages.

This lightly raced five-year-old gives the impression a step back up in trip is going to suit and with a fair amount of rain expected before racing, conditions may also come in his favour.

Other Irish raiders include Ottizzini, a convincing winner at Ayr recently, and Shoot First, who ran an eyecatching race on his return from a lengthy layoff at Galway last month. The latter was well supported for his win at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting in 2022 before his absence and is a major player despite an inflated British rating, if he retains all of his ability.

On last week’s first attempt at 3m, Doyen Quest put any stamina doubts to bed in fine style when well supported for his Cheltenham win, and with just a 5lb penalty to carry, he’s 5lb well-in here (assessor due to put him up 10lb).

Even if this turns out to be more of a stamina test on slower ground, he won his maiden hurdle on soft, and the way he both scythed through the field and bounded up the Cheltenham hill suggested there was plenty left in the tank.

His stablemates Gwennie May Boy and Catch Him Derry are also both last-time-out winners, with the later the one with a reappearance run under his belt. This son of Milan is up 7lb for last month’s Newton Abbot success but Tristan Durrell claims 3lb and the talented rider helps offset the rise.
Analysis by Phill Anderson

What they say

Ruth Jefferson, trainer of Kerryhill
He’s in good form at home and will appreciate any rain that falls. He did it really well at Doncaster and the third and fourth from that race have already won this season – there is definite substance to the form. We’ll find out at Haydock where we stand with him in terms of his handicap mark of 137 and that will dictate future plans.

Dan Skelton: saddles three in the big handicap hurdle at HaydockCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Dan Skelton, trainer of Gwennie May Boy, Doyen Quest and Catch Him Derry
Gwennie May Boy is three from three for us and looks very progressive. I’d love him to step into open company, but we’d need to see more of him first. Doyen Quest is 5lb well in under a penalty after winning in good style at Cheltenham last Saturday. I didn’t expect to be coming here, but what happened last weekend means that we should. He’s been very fresh and well since, and I have no concerns about the quick turnaround. We’ve had the race in mind for Catch Him Derry and I think he’ll go very well. He won at Newton Abbot last time. He did really well that day.

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of Push The Button
He’s come forward from his run at Cheltenham last month and seems in good form. I hope there will be more improvement from him at this longer trip.

Evan Williams, trainer of Patriotik
I thought he ran a very good race at Chepstow last time. It’s a very competitive race, as you would expect it to be for the money on offer, but he’s in off a nice weight. He will have improved for that first run, the step up in trip won’t be against him, and any rain would help him.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Saturday previews:

12.30 Punchestown: Ballyburn out to emulate Gaelic Warrior, Faugheen and Champagne Fever with chase debut victory at Punchestown 

2.10 Punchestown: Magic Morgiana in store as State Man attempts to repel two new challengers in Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead

2.45 Ascot: 'He's been trained for the race and he escapes a penalty' - who has big hopes of landing the Ascot Hurdle? 

3.05 Haydock: 'I'd love to come away with a genuine Gold Cup horse' - Dan Skelton excited for Grey Dawning's Betfair Chase challenge 

3.20 Ascot: 'If it rains, his chances improve massively' - analysis and key quotes for the Hurst Park Handicap Chase

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