In the not-too-distant past, I’m sure the Swinton Handicap Hurdle was one of the big races at the end of the National Hunt season. However, the beginning and end of seasons is now such a blurred line that I may be mistaken. Now it’s one of the big races at the start of the new jumps season.
Swinton Hurdle History and Trends
The Swinton Handicap Hurdle is a Grade Three race run over 2m at Haydock Park for horses aged four years or older. Established in 1978, the race is often the last opportunity for top-end handicap hurdlers to pick up some nice prize money before they are put away for the summer, though we’ll probably see a few of this year’s field running in staying races on the Flat in the next few months.
Key races which have provided pointers for this race in recent years include the Scottish County Hurdle, Imperial Cup and Scottish Champion Hurdle but the one stand-out trend is that there hasn’t been a winner aged older than seven in 20 years. Four-year-olds have to have plenty of class to win the Swinton Hurdle as they only get 4lb from older horses at this time of the year, but Act Of Valour (a best 8/1) does fit the bill.
- Horses carrying 11st 7lb or more struggle to give the weight away as 26 have tried in the last 13 years and only two, both last year, have even reached the frame, though that percentage could rise if the race keeps attracting quality entries.
- Those rated between 126 and 135 have an outstanding record so that’s the band that punters might like to concentrate on and a past career on the Flat is also a good guide with good going looking likely again.
John Constable (12/1 with Ladbrokes) beat Optimus Prime (a general 10/1) by 14 lengths to win the Swinton Hurdle last year but the runner-up is now a massive 22lb better off and the former’s trainer, Evan Williams, may have a better chance with Silver Streak. Aintree winner Havana Beat (a general 12/1) is improving at a rate of knots and should confirm running with Dear Sire (a general 14/1).
Capitaine, a stable companion of the aforementioned Act Of Valour, is only a best 9/1 but looked reluctant last time at Cheltenham and offers little value.
Chesterfield is still 7/1 in places and looks to have outstanding claims as he was fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham before finishing third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr, a race he won in 2017. However, THE UNIT wasn’t far behind at the Scottish track and would have finished closer but for a mistake at the final flight when closing. Alan King’s runner is now 3lb off with Chesterfield and there is always a strong pace in the Swinton Hurdle, which will suit – the 14/1 with Ladbrokes looks terrific value.
Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle
Chesterfield 7/1, Act Of Valour 8/1, Capitaine 9/1, Optimus Prime 10/1, Silver Streak, Havana Beat and John Constable 12/1, The Unit, Sizing Granite, Dear Sire and Forth Bridge 14/1, Ashkoul and William H Bonney 20/1, All Set To Go, Hassle and Lord Napier 25/1 (Odds current at 2.15pm May 11)
