Swinton Hurdle Preview: Sofia looks Rock solid

The Swinton Hurdle is a long-established event that has been going through something of a revival in recent years. Evan Williams in particular has seemingly targeted the race, winning four of the last six renewals, including the last two, with John Constable and Sliver Streak, respectively. The latter went on to win the Welsh Champion Hurdle after, and finished third to Espoir d’Allen in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival later in the season, while John Constable’s career path has gone in the opposite direction since his victory in 2017.

John Constable also ran in this race 12 months ago, finishing a respectable seventh to his stablemate, but since then he has been very disappointing, and as a result he will now race from a 24 lb lower mark. From a handicapping perspective he will be of some interest, but on his exploits on the track it is hard to recommend him, even though he should have been freshened up by a four-month break. His record in this race stands him in good stead, but there isn’t enough juice in his price at the time of writing to make him a bet, for all he could blow this field apart if back to his best.

John Constable wins the Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle pic.twitter.com/8debJXSlSN

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 13, 2017

Williams could have more solid claims with his other entry, Court Royale, who won three times last season, the latest coming in a handicap at Ludlow in April. He is well suited by a well-run two miles on a sharp track, and duly returned to his best to resume winning way under those conditions, always travelling well and showing a good attitude to come out on top from a determined rival. A subsequent 5 lb rise in the weights and now pitched into a much more competitive race will make life harder, but he should have conditions in his favour (not much rain forecast) and has likely been targeted at this given the yards record in the race.

The three horses who are all vying for favouritism, Christopher Wood, Mister Fisher and Sofia’s Rock, are all set to make their handicap debuts. The first-named is one of two four-year-olds amongst the entries – along with Legal History – meaning he will receive a handy weight-for-age allowance, but the handicapper has taken no chances with his opening mark. Indeed, Christopher Wood made an impressive start over hurdles, winning his first two starts with plenty in hand, and then was far from disgraced up in grade when third to Pentland Hills in the Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree last time. He appeals as the type who will be well suited by a big field (strong traveller) and can give another good account.

Mister Fisher already has some C&D winning form to his name, having won the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle in January. However, he found the step up in grade all too much when disappointing in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last time, noticeably not travelling as well as he had previously. It’s too early to write him off, though, and he is very much the type to bounce back, an opening mark of 145 not looking too excessive given the balance of his form.

Mister Fisher sees off Bright Forecast to win the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/DpHD6M0J6o

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 19, 2019

It is Sofia’s Rock who has perhaps fared better with the handicapper, and is of more interest as a result still being open to further improvement. A useful performer on the Flat for Mark Johnston, he has made a bright start for Dan Skelton, winning two of his three starts over hurdles, showing much improved form fitted with a first-time tongue strap when winning a novice at Ludlow by 13 lengths last time. The manner in which he tanked through that race suggests he’s well up to making an impact at this higher level and, rated 100 at his peak on the Flat, there is certainly room to manoeuvre from an opening mark of 140 over jumps.

The Olly Murphy-trained Fiesole is another who put up a career-best effort last time on just his fourth start for the yard, winning a handicap at Plumpton by nine lengths from Legal History. That was a good performance to beat an in-form rival in convincing fashion and, given the yards past exploits with similar types, there’s reason to think that Fiesole could improve again. He will undoubtedly have to having been raised a whopping 12 lb for that success, and now in a more competitive handicap. Legal History has been kept busy this spring but fared best of the remainder that day though he had little excuses at the business end.

Le Patriote has essentially done nothing but progress since joining this yard but he has taken his form to a new level of late, following his win at Ayr up with another success six months later at Cheltenham recently. Admittedly, he was a little fortuitous given that the leader fell at the last, but it’s hard to pinpoint what would have happened given the past exploits of that rival and Le Patriote did stay on well on the run-in. A subsequent 3 lb rise puts him up to a career-high mark, and he will have to shoulder top weight, but it would be folly to ignore his claims arriving in top form.

Dino Velvet found only Verdana Blue – who had her optimum conditions – too strong in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last time, proving he can cut it at this higher level after winning a couple of 0-130 handicaps on his two previous starts. The handicapper has raised him just 1 lb for that effort and he should be bang in the mix once more if running to a similar level.

That can also be said for Champagne City, who proved admirably consistent last season, winning only once but wasn’t out of the first four in all of his other starts. He again ran a stormer when finding one who came from much further back too strong at Kelso last time, not having time to respond as he got caught just on the line. A further 3 lb rise in the weights makes life harder for one who perhaps hasn’t won as many as he should, but it’s hard to pick holes in his attitude and he should continue to give a good account.

In summary, this should prove another competitive renewal, though some of these have been on the go for a while now and it could pay to side with some of the fresher-faced types. The hustle and bustle of a race of this nature will be new for some, but Sofia’s Rock has plenty of experience to call on from the Flat, and he looks most progressive in this sphere. Dan Skelton continues to carry all before him and Sofia’s Rock could potentially set off at half the price that is available on Tuesday afternoon, so it worth getting on side now.

Recommendation:

Back Sofia’s Rock at 7/1 in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday