Haydock Swinton Handicap Hurdle Preview: ‘The race revolves around one horse’

We might be back into the heart of the Flat season now but for the National Hunt junkies out there, we have some cracking jumps racing to looks forward to at Haydock Park, with the feature being the Swinton Handicap Hurdle. There’s a couple of interesting Irish raiders taking their chance in the race and we assess the contest below.

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More Irish dominance?

The British are probably sick to death of watching the Irish clean up in their own back yard. Last season, Willie Mullins won the British trainers’ championship, and the Irish are back for more in the 1m7½f Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle.

Lark In The Mornin is a strong market leader for the race which is no surprise. Joseph O’Brien’s four-year-old son of Beat Hollow won the Boodles Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham with ease in March, despite the trainer saying for months that he wouldn’t enjoy testing conditions. It was as clear as day that they saved the horse for the big day, and an 8lb rise is unlikely to prevent the follow-up. Tony Martin also runs Nibiru but he has work to do to win.

Best British chance?

One horse down at the foot of the weights who has a squeak in this is Tapley, who will be ridden by 7lb claimer Elizabeth Gale. This is a strong traveller who doesn’t find much for pressure, for a big field will suit and he will effectively only have 10-5 on his back so Gale can sit there for as long as possible and try to pounce late on. Fourth in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury in December, he’s nicely treated.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.

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