The Shunter part two? Emmet Mullins sends exciting sort on handicap mission

Saturday: 2.25 Haydock
Betfair Exchange Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) | 3m½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

We've seen this all before, haven't we? Emmet Mullins exploited an attractive hurdling mark with Yeats Baby in 2018, winning three races on British soil, and followed suit with The Shunter, who recorded three successes here last season.

The shrewd trainer doesn't send one across the Irish Sea without plausible reasoning and Rightplacerightime, who is owned by Paul Byrne (as was Yeats Baby and The Shunter), is set to make his first hurdling start for new connections since acquiring the six-year-old in the summer.

Three chase starts have resulted in one victory – an impressive one over 3m at Fairyhouse this month. Off a lenient mark of 108 with crack 7lb conditional Harry Kimber in the saddle, Rightplacerightime is undoubtedly the most interesting horse in the line-up.

Silver Trophy winner Orbys Legend and the low-weighted Riggs, who both represent in-form connections, head the British challenge. The former has only raced five times and beat a group of exposed hurdlers at Chepstow on his return. Further progress is likely but an 8lb rise makes his task harder.

Strong stayer Flight Risk and not-so-strong stayer Didtheyleaveuoutto carry the JP McManus silks and have contrasting claims. A fast gallop would suit Flight Risk, who has the profile to win a race like this, while Didtheyleaveuoutto would benefit from a sprint finish.

Topweight If The Cap Fits shouldn't be easily dismissed and is sure to feature if he's on a going day, while Stoney Mountain, who won this race in 2019, has been revitalised by Jamie Snowden and will relish the return to this course and distance.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Anthony Bromley, racing manager to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, owners of If The Cap Fits
We toyed with the idea of running him in the Coral Hurdle, which he has won before, but we feel he wants this longer trip these days. He has top weight and is in among a few unexposed youngsters but he showed some spark at Aintree the other day so hopefully he can be thereabouts.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Stoney Mountain
He won this race a couple of years ago off a mark of 138 and is racing off a mark of 142 after his comeback win at Newbury. He's come out of that in good shape and there's no reason why he can't run well in a competitive race.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Storm Arising
He's been ready to run for a while but you could wait forever. He's fit and well and needs a run. If you were going there with an optimum chance you'd like the ground soft or even slower but we're going to let him take his chance. He needs a prep run before he goes chasing, probably over Christmas.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Orbys Legend
We've waited for this race as it was the most valuable one coming up, hopefully he should have a good chance. The ground would be fine for him and he was staying on well at Chepstow the last day so we wouldn't be worried about the trip.

Nick Gifford, trainer of Didtheyleaveuoutto
He showed he stayed this trip when second at Newbury last time and if he handles the ground I don’t think he'll be far away. This is a bit of an afterthought but he deserves to get his head in front and he'll be off for a winter break after this as he doesn't like it heavy.

Flight Deck: made a winning reappearance at Wetherby for trainer Jonjo O'NeillCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Evan Williams, trainer of Dans Le Vent
He ran well over two miles the other days but I have no confidence or evidence to suggest he'll stay three miles. Quite simply, it's a £100,000 race so we're taking a punt.

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Flight Deck
He won well at Wetherby on his comeback in a race that is working out well and he goes there with a solid each-way chance providing the ground isn't too soft.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of Bass Rock
He won very well on his comeback after a wind op at Carlisle and that race is working out well and we think he goes there with a very good chance. The step up to three miles is the slight unknown but he shapes as if he'll get it.

Jane Williams, trainer of Gladiateur Allen
He was a bit fresh on his comeback at Ffos Las the other day but most of ours need their first runs back and I expect him to outrun his odds.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Riggs
This has been the plan for him all season and I'm delighted he's got into the race. He's ready for three miles now.

Emmet Mullins, trainer of Rightplacerightime
He's after sneaking in at the bottom of the weights so we've got lucky. We haven't ran him over hurdles yet so it's hard to know what to make of his mark. Any lower and he wouldn't have got in so we're grateful for that anyway. We haven't done much with him since Fairyhouse, we've just kept him ticking over as he had three quick enough runs for us. Hopefully Harry's [Kimber] 7lb claim will be a bonus, he's a very good young rider.

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