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2026 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

Some interesting runners in that Haydock qualifier tomorrow - not least the 2023 Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay. After pulling up in the Welsh National it looks like Nicholls has decided that hurdles is his future (at least for the rest of this season). He was well beaten in the Wincanton qualifier on Boxing Day but much improved with first-time blinkers last time out at Aintree and its interesting that Freddie Gingell takes over from the trainer's daughter tomorrow. If they can get him qualified in 3rd or 4th he could have a right chance in the final off 140 - could be another Monmiral.
 
He's an intended runner according to Elliot isn't he. Sire Du Berlais carried big weights both times he won it as well didn't he, so doubt it'll put Elliot off.

He's one I've actually backed...

He's a horse I really like, I backed him in all sorts of races last season for the festival, but it wasn't too be, albeit he still ran respectably in the Coral Cup.

I thought they may try and turn him into a Stayers horse this season and had backed him for that, so it makes sense to be backing him back in a handicap this season.

One caveat to him though, I do think the softer the better for him, so let's hope the ground comes up in his favour this time around.
 
Fuck me thought they'd only price up once he's qualified
That’s what normally happens but it looks like some numpty has requested a price beforehand, the trader has looked to see it’s trained by E Mullins and then run a mile !😂
 
Some interesting runners in that Haydock qualifier tomorrow - not least the 2023 Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay. After pulling up in the Welsh National it looks like Nicholls has decided that hurdles is his future (at least for the rest of this season). He was well beaten in the Wincanton qualifier on Boxing Day but much improved with first-time blinkers last time out at Aintree and its interesting that Freddie Gingell takes over from the trainer's daughter tomorrow. If they can get him qualified in 3rd or 4th he could have a right chance in the final off 140 - could be another Monmiral.

….notice Gina Andrews riding a few Hunter chasers of Nicholls these last few days, was thinking his daughter might be out injured unless she’s not qualified to ride them anymore.
 
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….notice Gina Andrews riding a few Hunter chasers of Nicholls these last few days, was thinking his daughter might be out injured unless she’s not qualified to ride them anymore.
She is back but only likely to have 1 ride with Gina staying on Shesrer according to Nichols himself.
 
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She is back but only likely to have 1 ride with Gina staying on Shesrer according to Nichols himself.

….Golden Son won for the Nicholls/Andrews combination in midweek and seemed to have gone a bit unnoticed, no idea of plans but Ladbrokes cut that one to 8-1 for Hunter Chase (14-1 best price).
 
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Olive Nicholls does indeed ride Stay Away Fay in the Pertemps Qualifier at Haydock.
 
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Its a good job they quickened clear of Yeah Man there, it was embarassing watching the jockey trying to look animated. Swapping his whip from one hand to the other and back, without ever using it :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
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Below is the updated list of qualifiers in handicap mark order. I have added 3lb to each of the Irish marks (with a couple of specific notes added) . There is one qualifier at Naas and one at Chepstow to come. The field size is 24.

1 Staffordshire Knot 152 (Ire+3)
2 Red Risk 143
3 Custom Taylor 140 (Ire +3)
4 Electric Mason 139
5 Ace Of Spades 139
6 Chasing Fire 136
7 Act Of Authority 135 (aimed at Martin Pipe according to trainer)
8 Supremely West 135
9 Kikijo 135
10 Absolutely Doyen 135
11 Red Dirt Road 134
12 Nab Wood 134
13 Letos 134 (Irish mark of 131 - last mark in UK was also 131)
14 Classic King 134
15 Millstream Lady 133 (Ire+3)
16 Ikarak 133
17 Lavida Adiva 133
18 The Lord Maid 132
19 Idy Wood 132
20 Minella Emperor 132 (ran off 129 in UK when 2nd on Saturday - winner was given 7lb rise)
21 C'est Different 131
22 Champagne Chic 131
23 Roaring Conquest 130
24 Bold Endeavour 130
25 Duke Silver 129 ( Ire +3 - guaranteed a run as winner of qualifier and in the handicap)
26 Bill Baxter 129
27 Onewaywest 129
28 Idem 128
29 Ike Sport 127
30 Yeah Man 126 (Ire +3 - was given a mark of 133 in UK earlier in season).
31 Lihyan 126
32 Beachcomber 126
33 Kyntara 125
34 Turndlightsdownlow 125
35 Benign Dictator 124
36 Saint Anapolino 123
37 Eyed 122
38 Below The Radar 121
39 Tranquil Sea 119
40 El Capitaine 119
41 Small Town Hero 118 (Ire +3)
42 Intent Approach 118 (Ire +3)
43 Found A Diamond 117 (Ire +3)
44 The Gray Ghost 117
45 Sarah Beara 116 (Ire +3)
46 Rocheval 116

I have assumed the following qualifiers will not be running

Impose Toi 159
Haiti Couleurs 154
Ma Shantou 154
Long Draw 136
 
….unconfirmed but apparently not entered;

Intent Approach
Haiti Coleurs
Act of Authority
Red Risk
Nab Wood
Chasing Fire
Roaring Conquest
 
The following entered but not yet qualified

A Perfect Day
American Mike
Block Rockin Beats
Firestream
Gold In The Rivers
Gowel Road
Green Book
Harry Des Ongrais
Keable
Melbourne Shamrock
Minella Missile
Minella Sixo
Monmiral
Ontheropes
Stones Throw
Wendrock

The following qualified but not entered

Act Of Authority
Below The Radar
Benign Dictator
Bill Baxter
Chasing Fire
Custom Taylor
Intent Approach
Kyntara
Nab Wood
Red Risk
Roaring Conquest
Rocheval
Saint Anapolino
Sarah Beara
Small Town Hero
The Gray Ghost
The Lord Maid
 
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The updated list of qualifiers post entries. As before Irish horses given +3 to their Irish marks.

1 Impose Toi 159
2 Staffordshire Knot 152
3 Electric Mason 139
4 Ace Of Spades 139
5 Supremely West 135
6 Kikijo 135
7 Absolutely Doyen 135
8 Red Dirt Road 134
9 Letos 134 (Irish mark of 131 - last mark in UK was also 131)
10 Classic King 134
11 Millstream Lady 133
12 Ikarak 133
13 Lavida Adiva 133
14 Idy Wood 132
15 Minella Emperor 132 (ran off 129 in UK when 2nd on Saturday - winner was given 7lb rise)
16 C'est Different 131
17 Champagne Chic 131
18 Bold Endeavour 130
19 Duke Silver 129
20 Onewaywest 129
21 Idem 128
22 Ike Sport 127
23 Yeah Man 126 (Ire +3 - was given a mark of 133 in UK earlier in season)
24 Lihyan 126
25 Beachcomber 126
26 Turndlightsdownlow 125
27 Eyed 122
28 Tranquil Sea 119
29 El Capitaine 119
30 Small Town Hero 118
31 Found A Diamond 117
 
Disappointed they haven't entered Nab Wood - I quite liked his chances
 
Is there a reason Long Draw isn't entered?
 
I see Wendrock has an entry in Sunday's Naas Pertemps qualifier. As a backer of his in the Pipe, feel obliged to cover at 25/1 NRNB for this. Never went a yard in the 3m race at Xmas but could be suited by a step up in trip.
 
Bold Endeavour festival form:

2023 5th in Coral Cup off 140
2024 4th in Pertemps Final off 143
2025 DIdn't run - farmed out to Luke Morgan to get his rating down ;)

He came 3rd in the Huntingdon qualifier off 130 and has been left on that mark. Bits of 25/1 around for him.