July 05 / 16.25 Haydock

16.25

Good

Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

  • Prize money: £26170
  • 0m 7f 37y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
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Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 121650 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Progressive spell on AW culminated in Listed win; regressive RPRs in Group races since returned to turf but may prove resurgent back down in class; whether he can defy top weight is another matter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Royal Zabeel

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Listed winner (6f) on AW; showed himself to be smart on turf too with a 7f handicap win at Newmarket last month; wouldn't judge him harshly on his Bunbury Cup defeat five weeks ago, racing away from the main action and still in front 1f out; 4lb lower today and he looks a big player for last year's winning connections.

8/1

10th

1

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Royal Zabeel

10st 3lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Respectable fifth in this year's Victoria Cup; prevailed last Saturday to take C&D record to 2-2 and overall strike-rate to 7-23; incurs 6lb penalty but Conor Whiteley takes off a useful 5lb; major player.

8/1

Form: 2-5887 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Yet to make the frame this term; however, ran encouragingly at Royal Ascot most recently and has become attractively treated; defied a 2lb higher mark in major 7f handicap last July and can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(13)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:20 Ayr

Northern Express

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Back to winning ways when seeing off 16 opponents at York (7f, good to firm) in July; two good runs have followed and he's one to take seriously; fourth in this race last year off 2lb higher.

14/1

5th

2

(6)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

Northern Express

10st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Ended a losing run when taking a big-field C&D handicap in July; similar form when a close third at Thirsk (1m, good) five weeks ago; should be in the thick of it.

9/2

Form: 23/1-0 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Showed fairly useful form in French/German races; tailed-off last in Royal Ascot handicap (7f) on British/seasonal debut and is best watched unless the market suggests a rebound is likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(10)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Inside Matters

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Showed fairly useful form in French/German races; tailed-off last in Royal Ascot handicap (7f) on British/seasonal debut and is best watched unless the market suggests a rebound is likely.

20/1

27th

15

(13)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Inside Matters

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Well connected; unraced on quicker than good to soft, winning a 7f Compiegne maiden on very soft last July; gelded and had wind surgery since; interesting type but easier options will be available later.

33/1

Form: 5-6863 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Well suited by ground softer than good; placed at Epsom last time in a race he'd won twice previously; remains nicely handicapped on peak form and he scored over this C&D very early in career; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(9)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:52 Haydock

Rhoscolyn

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

8yo whose losing sequence is up to 15 following a disappointing run at Hamilton (1m, soft) last time; however, he was runner-up twice in a row prior to that (7f, good to soft/soft; including here) and is usually right at home on testing ground; he could bounce back with a big performance.

9/1

9th

6

(4)

28th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 3

15:29 Hamilton

Rhoscolyn

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Well suited by ground softer than good; ten-time winner, mainly at Goodwood, most recently in last year's Golden Mile off 12lb higher; has proved resurgent with second-place finishes over 7f the last twice, latest at Haydock; in the mix.

5/1

2nd

9

(12)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Rhoscolyn

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Given his fine record on slow ground at Goodwood he was thoroughly underwhelming there last weekend, but two days later he bounced straight back to finish second at Epsom (7f, good to soft); might run well again but he's hard to catch right these days.

7/2

Form: 521-38 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Proved a handful in the preliminaries and ran below par last time; reapplication of hood looks a good move, especially when considering he's 1-1 in this headgear (useful win on AW); may still have further progress in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

25th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:18 Haydock

Bobby Bennu

10st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Triple winner at around 7f in 2024, including on good to soft; went close at Newcastle (AW) in June and had an excuse when the blindfold was removed late at York last time; has claims if he can get back near best and his peak effort last season was a close call over C&D.

10/1

15th

3

(7)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

Bobby Bennu

10st 1lb

J: Robbie Downey

T: Roger Varian

Went down narrowly in a 7f handicap at Newcastle in June; well beaten at Goodwood last time but he would have finished a bit closer with a clear run; sure to be popular again.

11/2

Form: 0-6490 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Suited by good/firmer; on a long losing run and below best this term but bagged Group 3 honours over C&D two years ago and is very well treated on that form; returns to his optimum trip after tackling the Wokingham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:32 Newmarket (July)

Jumby

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

His last win was was in 2023 but that was a Group 3 event and he went close behind Where's Freddy over C&D (good to firm; 3-1 favourite) 13 days ago; on same mark here and he's a big player if he can repeat that form; visor added.

4/1

2nd

1

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Newmarket (July)

Jumby

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

On a three-year losing run and nothing like the force of old but his current mark reflects that and this is a good bit easier than the two handicaps he tackled in the spring; no surprise were this class dropper to go well with his yard among the winners.

8/1

12th

29

(24)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Jumby

8st 12lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Two-time Group winner over 7f but is on a near three-year losing spell and current mark reflects that he's not the force of old (admittedly showed bits of useful form in 2025); needs to step up on reappearance effort; failed to shine in the last two runnings of this contest.

33/1

Form: 7-7050 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
C&D success last July initiated a hat-trick; better than his form figures this season suggest, poorly drawn in Royal Ascot contest most recently; possibilities off 1lb below last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

26th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Cerulean Bay

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Added to fine Goodwood record when second of 18 in the Golden Mile off 1lb higher at the Glorious meeting; two below-par efforts have followed but the first was under a new rider in the Shergar Cup at Ascot and he was caught too far back at the York Ebor meeting since; considered.

6/1

12th

3

(9)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Cerulean Bay

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Uncharacteristically below par at Ascot recently but was under a new rider in the Shergar Cup; he's run really well in defeat under Danny Tudhope in some hot handicaps this year and was second in this last season (good to firm); versatile ground-wise; could bounce back with a big performance.

16/1

9th

1

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Cerulean Bay

10st 1lb

J: Jamie Melham

T: David O’Meara

Finished second behind Ebt's Guard in this race 12 months ago when rated 14lb lower; he has earned his lofty rating since then, winning twice at Goodwood last autumn and recording a career-best RPR when second of 18 in the Golden Mile at Goodwood eight days ago; another big run anticipated.

11/2

Form: 330-26 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
On a long losing sequence but his respectable record over C&D includes a solid effort on 2025 reappearance (close second; form has been franked); enters calculations off the same mark returned to Haydock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Gorak

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.

16/1

3

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Gorak

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Charlie Fellowes

Record over C&D includes a success in May 2023 and solid second on reappearance this term; disappointing favourite here on penultimate start and losing run is mounting up; best form certainly gives him a good chance off current mark back down in grade.

7/1

11

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Gorak

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.

33/1

Form: 2315-6

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Sole 3yo in the field; Group placed last term; ran promisingly, amid traffic issues, at Newcastle (6f, AW) last Saturday on reappearance while shaping as if this return to 7f is well worth exploring; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(8)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Intrusively

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Michael Appleby

Back to form with a bang to collar one with a good AW record over 7f here on Monday; there was over 3l back to the third in that 13-runner contest so he could be fairly treated under a 5lb penalty if coping with the quick turnaround; just as effective at 1m.

7/2

5th

7

(8)

25th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Intrusively

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

Just one win to his name after 20 attempts; well treated on this season's best but he has gone quiet more recently; cheekpieces now given a go; others bring more compelling claims.

16/1

7th

8

(7)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Thirsk

Intrusively

9st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

Yet to win a handicap and no better than fourth in seven runs for his new yard this year; drops in trip with a tongue tie added; others hold stronger claims.

16/1

Form: 61-353

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Winning sprinter for previous yards; went close upped to 7f at Newbury (good) last month, taking form figures for current stable to 353; unexposed over this distance and looks one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:09 Newmarket (July)

Photosynthesis

9st 13lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Signed off last season with a head success off this mark on the Rowley Mile (6f, good); he appeared to be running into form before the new cheekpieces backfired at Doncaster; makes the shortlist.

9/1

6th

1

(7)

26th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

11:15 Doncaster

Photosynthesis

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Ended last season with a win off just 1lb lower; has steadily found his form this term, creditable third over C&D most recently; possibilities, provided he takes well to first-time headgear.

4/1

3rd

2

(3)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

20:05 Doncaster

Photosynthesis

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Off the mark for this stable at Newmarket in September; lively in the betting for both starts this spring and he built on a midfield finish at Newbury when fourth of ten at Ascot (again 6f, good) four weeks ago; respected from the same mark.

4/1

Form: 026863 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly at sprint trips but ran respectably over 7f last summer; very long losing sequence is a bigger issue but he's well capable of being involved and record at Haydock features a Group 2 success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Kings Lynn

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

0-9 on the AW, but has gone very close on Tapeta on three occasions; 2lb lower than when beaten a head in a 0-110 contest over C&D in August and if able to reproduce that sort of form he would have a good chance.

7/1

6

(4)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Kings Lynn

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Ended his lengthy losing run when winning a 7f handicap at Haydock in July; similar form on a couple of occasions since and he ran creditably in a hot 6f handicap at York two weeks ago; one to consider back down into Class 3 company.

9/1

17

(11)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Kings Lynn

8st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Not the force of old (won the Group 2 Temple Stakes in 2022) but he ended a long losing run at Haydock (7f, good) in July and went down only narrowly at Newcastle in August; however, he should have fared better at Ascot last time and he's been unplaced on both his previous outings at York.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £163.40
Straight Forecast £122.88
Tricast £1399.76
Trifecta £2466.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gorak

RP RATINGS:

Northern Express

TOPSPEED:

Rhoscolyn

POSTDATA:

Intrusively

Daily Mirror:

Photosynthesis

Telegraph:

Inside Matters

The Times:

Intrusively

Daily Record:

Photosynthesis

NEWMARKET:

Gorak

Daily Mail:

Gorak

The Guardian:

Northern Express

The Star:

Northern Express

D Express:

Rhoscolyn

The Sun:

Rhoscolyn