HaydockSat, December 30, 2023

NORMAN FLETCHER (1) is going the right way with hurdles. Handled heavy ground well when staying on strongly to score at Aintree earlier in the month and can land a hat-trick with James Turner taking off 7.7lb. The chief threat may come from BERTIE'S BALLET (2) who was a solid second on hurdling debut at Wetherby (2m). Point-to-point winner JO ARENGEOT BEY AA (4) is considered delivering initial hurdle outing following a promising third on testing ground in a Uttoxeter jumpers flat. FRESH SPECULATION (3) holds place appeal.