May 31 / 14.23 Haydock

14.23

Good To Soft

Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Achilles Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £31190.5
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Achilles Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 4146-0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who raised his game when winning Listed race at Beverley (5f, good to firm; handles soft) last summer; hasn't beaten a rival on his last two outings, and although he might have needed the run behind two of these in the Palace House on his return, he now has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

17:40 Windsor

Democracy Dilemma

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner who looks well handicapped on his win at Haydock (5f, good) last autumn but he's been disappointing at Musselburgh and Goodwood this spring; has some questions to answer and he needs a major revival with headgear removed; stablemate of Rhythm N Hooves.

12/1

9th

1

(1)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Democracy Dilemma

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Robert Cowell

Useful front-runner who returned with a good third in 5f AW listed event at Lingfield in February; not at his best on soft ground at Musselburgh since but can bounce back here.

8/1

13th

1

(6)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Democracy Dilemma

9st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Robert Cowell

Tough 5f specialist who usually makes the running; a respectable third at Lingfield six weeks ago should have blown away the cobwebs; concedes weight all round but he's a classy type and should go well.

6/1

3/1

Form: 13600- D

Last run: 258 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
6f Group 2 winner as a 2yo; ran a cracker when third to Inisherin in last year's Group 1 Commonwealth Cup before his form tailed off in the second half of the season; now returns in a lower grade having had wind surgery; handles good to firm and good to soft ground, and dropping back to 5f should not inconvenience him; probably the one to beat if returning to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(5)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Jasour

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Clive Cox

Far from disgraced in last three appearances (various grades) but finished behind some of today's rivals in those contests and needs to raise his game somewhat; on a ten-race losing sequence that goes back to Group 3 honours two years ago.

16/1

6th

6

(4)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Jasour

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Clive Cox

Very useful 6f performer who registered last success in Group 3 contest at Ascot two years ago; has Group 1 form, including creditable sixth in the 2025 July Cup; made a solid start to his 2026 campaign with 1l second to Aramram at Doncaster; again likely to be thereabouts.

8/1

2nd

7

(8)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

13:50 Doncaster

Jasour

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Clive Cox

Not the easiest of rides (sometimes slowly away and can pull hard) but he's smart on his day and he wasn't beaten far when sixth in the July Cup at Newmarket last summer; now having first run since and this is a significant drop in grade; stablemate of James's Delight and gives Clive Cox a strong hand.

13/2

Form: 1615-9 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Smart 5f/6f performer; unraced as 2yo but highly progressive in 2024, winning six of 11 starts and first home from the double-figure draws when fifth in Group 1 Abbaye at Longchamp; might have needed the run when only ninth of 11 in Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket (4-1) last month; needs to bounce back but that's certainly possible and she may still be unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

18

(6)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

No Half Measures

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Richard Hughes

4yo who was suited by the return to 6f when winning the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket (66-1) by a neck from Big Mojo; hampered and unable to recover behind same rival in Sprint Cup at Haydock (25-1) next time; closely matched with several of these at her best and may well bounce back.

22/1

13

(14)

6th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Haydock

No Half Measures

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Richard Hughes

4yo who was suited by the return to 6f when winning the Group 1 July Cup at 66-1 at Newmarket (good to firm) last time; won a Group 3 on heavy ground last September; needs to prove that latest performance was no one-off but her 6f form-figures now read 21111 and she's entitled to respect.

8/1

1st

10

(15)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

No Half Measures

9st 5lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Richard Hughes

Very useful filly whose 5f record features a Group 3 win last September; faces a difficult task on ratings but is interesting returned to 6f, having posted form figures of 2111 over this distance, most recently bagging Listed honours on French soil last August.

40/1

Form: 3005-7 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won four races for George Scott including the 2024 Palace House; finished in front of two of today's rivals in this year's running of that race, but was still some way below par in seventh; perhaps that run (his first for this yard) was needed, but he'd have a bit to find even on his peak form, and it's possible he's best in headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(3)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:27 Goodwood

Seven Questions

9st 7lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Acts on any ground; on a losing spell that goes back to Group 3 success two years ago but is on a very attractive mark and his Class 2 form this term includes a couple of respectable efforts; this combination of a drop in grade and assistance of Jamie Spencer (up for first time; regular jockey for the owner) may be the time to catch him.

7/2

4th

9

(1)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Seven Questions

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Robert Cowell

Disappointing favourite at Ripon last time, taking record for current yard to 0-10, but his reappearance was encouraging and he has become very attractively handicapped; peak mark was 18lb higher and earned by bagging Group 3 honours at Newmarket two years ago; has the plum draw and can't be written off.

9/2

6th

1

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Seven Questions

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Robert Cowell

Losing spell goes back to his Palace House success two years ago but he has a reduced mark to work with as a result and he ran well when third on his Pontefract reappearance (5f, good to soft) 18 days ago; player if he can build on that.

5/2

Form: 519-34 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Likeable sprinter with a consistent record in some of the top handicaps, typically giving his running when fourth of 17 at York two weeks ago; worth a go in this higher grade and he could outrun his likely odds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(4)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Shagraan

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

His form took a surge forward towards the end of last season with 5f Listed wins for Mick Appleby at Beverley (good to firm) and Ascot (soft); reappeared with 3l third of 14 to Night Raider on stable debut in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) and he's open to improvement on this second start of the season; one to consider.

13/2

3rd

8

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Shagraan

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

In action between May and October last year for Michael Appleby, finding a form spurt late on with a close second to First Instinct in a Group 3 at Newbury sandwiched by Listed 5f wins at Beverley and Ascot (good to firm and soft); more needed back with former trainer but may yet do better.

10/1

1st

1

(4)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Shagraan

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Appleby

Tough sprinter who has improved of late, winning the Listed Beverley Bullet (5f, good to firm) in August and finishing clear of the rest when second of 14 in Group 3 at Newbury (5f, good to soft) in September; tactically versatile and may not have reached his ceiling just yet; commands respect.

3/1

Form: 1421-8

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Ended 2024 by winning 6f Listed fillies' race at Newmarket; faced a stiff task in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes on reappearance and came home tailed off after losing a shoe; that clearly wasn't her running but it's hard to know what sort of form she'll be in just 17 days on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(11)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 34y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Rage Of Bamby

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Won 6f Group 3 here (good to firm) in July; ran just as well when a close fourth in the Sprint Cup at Haydock two weeks ago; was well drawn there, however, and her penalty could leave her vulnerable on a rare 5f run.

6/1

4th

14

(13)

6th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Haydock

Rage Of Bamby

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

5yo mare who made Group-race breakthrough when 33-1 for the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury in July, when she had nearly 2l to spare; unsuited by the return to 7f since and has been supplemented for this race at a cost of £20,000, but nevertheless looks opposable today.

25/1

4th

7

(4)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Rage Of Bamby

9st 5lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Began the campaign with two heavy defeats but she was reinvigorated by cheekpieces at York last month and hit a major new high in them in a Group 3 at this track (6f) eight days later, winning at 33-1 by nearly 2l from King's Gamble; fine chance if that form is repeated but, although she ran three times over 7f in 2022, she's not crying out for a return to this trip on the recent evidence.

11/1

Form: 1112-3 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Landed handicap hat-trick in the mud last October and finished the campaign by going close in Listed race at Doncaster; showed she doesn't need soft ground to perform to her best when third from wide draw in handicap at Chester (5f, good) on return; reliable and progressive; should be firmly in the mix for same yard that landed Temple Stakes over C&D last weekend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(5)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 34y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Balmoral Lady

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Ed Walker

Made giant strides in the second half of 2024 and she carried on the good work when winning in Listed company at Haydock in May (5f, good); struggled at Royal Ascot but of more concern are her two sub-par efforts since; others look more solid.

10/1

9th

7

(11)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Balmoral Lady

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

She has made giant strides since making her handicap debut off a mark of 69 at Haydock last July, winning five times, most recently in Listed race at Haydock in May (5f, good); only ninth at Royal Ascot but she raced furthest from the main action and still looked in peak form; drying ground wouldn't be ideal, though, and she has the widest stall to overcome.

8/1

13

(4)

17th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Balmoral Lady

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

Progressive 4yo who made great strides in the autumn with a hat-trick at about 5f on heavy and soft ground; a recent Listed win at Haydock (5f, good) suggests she's still improving, but this is likely to be hard labour.

33/1

Form: 1137- D

Last run: 245 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
The only 3yo in the line-up; 2-4 last term, following Queen Mary win at Royal Ascot with creditable third in the Lowther at York (both on good to firm); seemed to flounder in the mud when last of seven in Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket on final start; may not have reached her ceiling just yet and her stable could hardly be in better form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 1

13:25 Lingfield (AW)

Leovanni

8st 11lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Impressed at Nottingham on her 2yo debut and went on to defeat 23 rivals in the Queen Mary Stakes a fortnight later; only seen three times since, once last year when not getting a clear run through in a Haydock Listed race in May; could still dip into that 2yo promise and AW shouldn't be an issue; tongue tied for the first time.

7/2

9

(4)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:23 Haydock

Leovanni

8st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: K R Burke

The only 3yo in the line-up; 2-4 last term, following Queen Mary win at Royal Ascot with creditable third in the Lowther at York (both on good to firm); seemed to flounder in the mud when last of seven in Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket on final start; may not have reached her ceiling just yet and her stable could hardly be in better form.

9/2

Non-runners

Fahrenheit Seven

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.90
Straight Forecast £23.47
Trifecta £116.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Balmoral Lady

Daily Mirror:

Leovanni

The Times:

Shagraan

D Express:

No Half Measures

TOPSPEED:

Seven Questions

The Guardian:

Jasour

Daily Record:

Leovanni

The Sun:

Shagraan

The Star:

No Half Measures

NEWMARKET:

Seven Questions

RP RATINGS:

Balmoral Lady

POSTDATA:

Balmoral Lady

LAMBOURN:

Balmoral Lady

Telegraph:

Balmoral Lady

Daily Mail:

Jasour