Can Givemefive buck the trend and make all in the Swinton? Trainer insight and analysis for the big handicap hurdle

There are two things that stand out when looking at the history of this competitive handicap hurdle: it is hard to concede lumps of weight, and front-runners have found life difficult.

Just one winner since 2012 has carried more than 11st 2lb – the first two home in each of the last four runnings have borne 10st 9lb or less – while Pickanumber last year became the first horse to make all or most in the Swinton since its inception in 1978.

None of that bodes well for Givemefive, Our Champ, Ooh Betty and Welsh Charger. They are carded to carry 11st 7lb or more and all like to get on with it, which could set this up for a closer.

That will suit Helnwein, who hit the front too soon when narrowly beaten by Glory And Fortune last time. That was in a five-runner event and he is much better suited to this scenario, given he has form figures over hurdles of 1217 in double-digit fields.

He has his fair share of weight, though, and the one who catches the eye near the foot of the weights is the unexposed Dance And Glance, who was unlucky on his handicap debut last time, as he had nowhere to go when the enterprisingly ridden Bareback Jack kicked.

Dance And Glance is unbeaten in three starts on ground described as good and Harry Cobden has a 26 per cent strike-rate when riding for Anthony Honeyball, so there is a lot to like.

The other to consider is Black Hawk Eagle. The form of his Welsh Champion Hurdle third in October is strong, and he bounced back from a couple of lesser efforts after a break when second to Goblet Of Fire at Hereford last month.

He is 4lb better off with the winner and that was a likely prep for this race, which Kerry Lee won in 2023 with Black Poppy, who is her only runner in the last ten years.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

What they say

Harry Derham, trainer of Givemefive
He's come out of his last win very well but this will be a tough task, he's got 12st and a career-high mark. It's an open race, he acts very well on the course and we're looking forward to it.

Chris Gordon, trainer of Our Champ
He's been taking on the big guns all winter and it was another solid run last time at Plumpton. He's in very good form and this is his favoured ground.

Dan Skelton, trainer of She's A Saint
She's in good form. Plumpton was a little tight for her and this track is a lot more like it. I don't think her handicap mark is beyond her, so I hope she'll go well.

Ben Clarke, trainer of Ooh Betty
The ground will be ideal and it was always the plan to go straight from Ayr to Haydock. She's been training well for it, everything looks in her favour and we're hopeful.

Alastair Ralph, trainer of Welsh Charger
He ran very well in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, he's in good form and he'll be suited by the track and the ground. He was lightly raced last season, we pinpointed our options, and he'll be one of the fresher horses going into the race.

Alan King, trainer of Helnwein and Big Boy Bobby
It's competitive but they're in good form. Big Boy Bobby has been running really well and Helnwein ran a better race last time.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Black Hawk Eagle
He ran very well last time and we meet the winner on slightly better terms. We've had this race in mind for a while and he's in great form.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Lanesborough
He's gone the right way since his win last time and it's nice to sneak into the bottom of a good race. The two miles on good going may be a bit tight for him but he's in very good form and we hope he'll be competitive.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Dance And Glance
He was a little unlucky at Bangor, where the winner got away, but he was closing well at the end. We'll drop him in again and if he relaxes and gets the luck he has the engine and the handicap mark to get involved.
Reporting by David Carr

Saturday's big-race insight:

1.15 Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien has word of warning for favourite backers as Giselle begins her potential route to the Oaks

2.40 Ascot: 'This will play to his strengths' - top trainers assess the Victoria Cup at Ascot

3.00 Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien poised to sweep another Derby trial - but British trainer says there is 'plenty to like' about his contender

3.15 Ascot: An above-average running of a competitive handicap - so can the unbeaten favourite be taken on?

3.35 Lingfield: Can Great Generation give weight all round to repeat last year's Group 3 success?

4.20 Naas: Has Wayne Lordan made the right decision on the Ballydoyle trio in the Oaks Trial?