Trainer quotes and insight on Challenger Series Finals Day at Haydock
It is Betway-sponsored Challenger Series Finals Day at Haydock, with six £50,000 contests, three of which are live on ITV4, and a £20,000 handicap chase to close the card.
Old favourites Loose Chips, the hat-trick-seeking Hijran and the consistent Duhallow Gesture stand out among those set to contest the various finals, while Champion Hurdle-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell brings five across from Ireland for the valuable card.
What they say
1.30
Challenger Mares' Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle | 2m3f, 4yo+ | RTV
Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Duhallow Gesture
She’s in good form and it’s been the plan for several months. The ground and trip should be fine, she’s a class mare and should run well.
Evan Williams, trainer of Burn Baby Byrne
She's had a great season and been great fun, so it's good to run in a big race like this. We've nothing up our sleeve, not even a gram, but she's very genuine and the faster they go the better.
2.05
Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle | 1m7½f, 4yo+ | RTV/ITV4
Ian Williams, trainer of Cause Toujours
He's quite ground dependent in that he needs it good, so he had a decent winter break and this is his step back into the arena. He’ll maybe have one more run over hurdles before going chasing.
Evan Williams, trainer of The Gipper and Peterborough
The Gipper would want it softer ideally, but he's won a couple of times this season and how could you not run for money like this? Peterborough definitely has ability, though can blow hot and cold.
Oliver Greenall, trainer of Tim Rocco
He's in good form, Paddy Brennan's ridden him before and the track should suit. He disappointed at Ludlow last time but we'll try to come with one run.
Neil King, trainer of Cubswin
It was a very good win at Wincanton last time under the champion jockey and the ground and nature of the track should suit. He's in very good form.
2.40
Challenger Staying Chase Series Final Handicap Chase | 3m1½f, 5yo+ | RTV/ITV4
Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Loose Chips
He’s carrying nearly top weight but has an each-way chance. He’s in good form and seems well.
Sue Smith, trainer of The Paddy Pie
It looks a nice race but he’s in good form and deserves to take his chance.
3.15
Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle | 3m½f, 4yo+ | RTV/ITV4
Ian Williams, trainer of Faithful Mount, Sliding Doors and Sunnytahliateigan
Faithful Mount has shown decent form on the ground and over this trip and I’m sure he’ll make a bold bid. Sliding Doors and Sunnytahliateigan have both snuck in at the bottom and are grand horses so in a race of this nature they should be competitive. The prize-money is very good.
3.50
Challenger Series Mares' Chase Final Handicap Chase | 2m5½f, 5yo+ | RTV
Evan Williams, trainer of Still Believing and Skewiff
They are what they are, good, tough, genuine mares. They've contributed well this season and deserve to run in a race like this. It's a great initiative.
Matt Sheppard, trainer of The Bay Birch
I think she’ll go on the ground. She’s got a lot of weight but beat most of these last time and is in excellent form. I’m hopeful of a big run.
4.20
Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series Final Handicap Chase | 2m4f, 5yo+ | RTV
Neil King, trainer of Princeton Royale
He surprised me at Ascot, he'd been back in training only six weeks so I thought he'd need it – it was nice to see him win. Jonjo [O'Neill jnr] gave him a very good ride from the front so I'm happy to have him again.
Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Vivas
He’s won three this season and has been running well. He must have his chance, he'll love the ground and fingers crossed he'll run a nice race.
4.55
Tim Molony Handicap Chase | 3m4½f, 5yo+ | RTV
Sue Smith, trainer of Straidnahanna and Lough Derg Farmer
I'm looking forward to running both. Lough Derg Farmer is up in trip but the ground should be alright. He’s run some nice races this season.
Seamus Mullins, trainer of I See You Well
He had a bit of a blip in his last two chases, falling at Plumpton, then unseating at the first at Exeter, but we gave him a confidence booster over hurdles and he ran very well. He has a good each-way chance and won’t mind the trip.
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