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This weekend’s big handicap is the Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock. This premier handicap is run over 3 miles and 58 yards and is open to horses aged 4 or older. Off time is 2.25 and 13 go to post after Peking Rose was declared a non-runner.
Notable winners of this race include Paisley Park who won this race in 2019 before going on to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at that years’ Cheltenham festival. Third Wind came 2nd in this in 2020 before winning at the festival in 2022 at 25/1.
Some bookmakers offer each-way terms of 5 places which makes the race an excellent betting proposition.
Ooh La La!
I have looked at the statistics over the last 9 seasons and these are my key conclusions.
- Experience is important in this race. Horses that have had at least 11 runs have a record of 5 wins from 48 runners compared to 4 from 83 for those that have had 10 runs or less.
- Irish bred horses have a poor record in this race with just 3 wins from 86 runners compared to 6 wins from 45 runners for those horses not bred in Ireland.
Of the 13 runners only 2 match these two criteria. These are BOTOX HAS (14/1) and WAKOOL (12/1). These are both bred in France.
I suggest backing these each way with bookmakers who are offering 5 places.
Key Betting Trends
To narrow the field down further there are some other statistics that may prove relevant.
Horses that have had a decent rest perform better. Of those 55 horses that ran less than 27 days ago only 2 won compared to 7 from 76 for those that had a longer rest. BROTOX HAS last ran 28 days ago, WAKOOL 21.
Favourites have a poor record with 1 winner in the last 9 years. There have been two 2nd favourites winning.
Five-year-olds have the best record with 4 wins from 27 runners.
The Bigger, the Better?
Horses with relatively high weights have a good record. Those in the top 6 by weight have won 6 from 50 runners, those with lower weights 3 from 81. BROTOX HAS carries 11st 11lbs which is the 3rd heaviest.
7lb claimers have a record of 2 from 9. BROTOX HAS is ridden by 7lb claimer Caoilin Quinn.
Horses that came in the first 3 last time have a record of 7 from 70. Those that didn’t come in the first 3 have a record of 2 from 61. BROTOX HAS came 2nd last time, WAKOOL 1st.
Do you want to read more of the key betting trends and stats? Stop by our horse racing tips page to find more of the best tips from our expert horse racing tipsters.
