The Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (Saturday 23 December, 2.45) is run over 2 miles 6 furlongs and 204 yards at Haydock. It was first run in 1982, and has been won by some legends of National Hunt Racing like Little Owl, Forgive’n Forget, The Thinker and One Man. However, whilst the race used to be a graded chase, in 2005 it was downgraded to a handicap.
10-Year-Trends – “Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase 2017”
- Winner have carried between 10-2 and 11-12
- Winners have been rated between 116 and 145
- Winners have been aged 6, 7 or 8, with six winners aged 8
- SP’s have ranged from 3/1 to 10/1
- Tom O’Brien has ridden 3 of the last 10 winners
Major Contenders: Form Check, Stats & Preview
Full Irish
6-year-old trained by Emma Lavalle, that won his second chase start. However, that wasn’t as strong a contest as this one, and he’s been raised 8lb for that win. Can’t be ruled out, but it remains to be seen whether one so inexperienced can win a race like this so early in his career.
Three Faces West
9-year-old who could bid to become the third winning top-weight in the last six-years, and he boasts a decent record at Haydock having won 2 of his three starts here. The last of those wins came off a mark of 135, but has won at Newbury off 147, and ran with much credit when third at Cheltenham last time after 11 months off the track (fourth won since). Handicapper kindly dropped him 3lb to 144 for that, and looks to have an obvious chance as he handles heavy ground well.
Lake View Lad
7-year-old who seemed to enjoy being stepped up to a similar trip for the first time at Newcastle on his last run, but handicapper has raised him 4lb for a win in what looked a winnable contest. Could find this much tougher.
Flintham
Definitely got a race like this in him on heavy ground, as his chase mark is just 1lb higher than his last winning hurdles mark. Has always looked like he may appreciate an even stiffer teat of stamina though, and has several other entries in the next couple of weeks.
Play The Ace
Up to highest mark of 139 after winning four consecutive chases off 118, 122, 129 and 134, and this willing sort could possibly improve again now stepped up in trip. This looks a classier race than the ones he’s been winning though, but could keep improving.
Broadway Buffalo
Absent since February 2018, but has a tremendous record here at Haydock. Won his first two starts here, before falling when looking like making it 3 from 3. He then chased home a well-handicapped Bishops Road here when last seen. Hard to know whether he’ll be at his best on this return to the track, but handicapper kindly dropped him 4lb during his absence.
Our Top Betting Tip for the “Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase 2017”
A typical mix of last time out winners who have gone up in the handicap, and older horses who have been dropped to marks they look capable of winning off. Broadway Buffalo is feared but, after showing plenty of zest on his comeback run at Cheltenham, Three Faces West is fancied to return to winning form at a course he does well at.
2017 Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase Tip: Three Faces West