July 19 / 18.25 Haydock

18.25

Good

Steve Yarborough Memorial Handicap (A Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
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Steve Yarborough Memorial Handicap (A Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Qualifier)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 47-36

Last run: 84 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
200,000gns yearling who was picked up for 18,000gns from the Gosden yard after an ordinary turf/handicap debut over C&D in April; lightly raced and it's too soon to write him off but seeing some support for him would be preferable after a 12-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

15:52 Beverley

Roland Garros

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hayley Burton

Needed a drop to Class 6 to open his account in Catterick event (1m4f, good) last time; back up in grade but may build on that win and also have more to offer in the retained cheekpieces.

4/1

1st

1

(4)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:33 Catterick

Roland Garros

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hayley Burton

Maiden who returned from wind surgery to finish a respectable fifth on AW Flat and backed that up when 15l second in a 2m maiden hurdle at Southwell (soft) last month; a lesser effort in a handicap hurdle at Wetherby three weeks ago needs forgiving but he dips into a Class 6 for the first time now back on the Flat and has the ability to make his mark at this level; cheekpieces rejoin the tongue-tie.

4/1

8th

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Roland Garros

11st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Hayley Burton

Fair maiden on the Flat and he ran okay when 15l second in a maiden hurdle at Southwell (2m, soft) a fortnight ago; now goes handicapping in this code off a modest mark and he could have a part to play.

12/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 2123-6

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Turf wins have come on soft/heavy ground, most recently off a 2lb lower mark last autumn; plenty of rain would see him enter the equation but there's nothing to suggest he's best caught fresh and he may just need this at his age.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(5)

19th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

13:08 Kempton (AW)

Equion

9st 7lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

6lb below his last winning mark but recent form has been patchy, his narrow defeat at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) last month surrounded by lesser efforts at the same track; 1-18 on AW; others more compelling.

6/1

4th

1

(4)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:25 Bath

Equion

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tony Carroll

Won over 1m on soft and heavy ground last year and best run this campaign was four weeks ago when fourth at Nottingham (good to soft); interesting with conditions in his favour and off a good mark.

7/2

1

(4)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:25 Bath

Equion

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tony Carroll

Won over 1m on soft and heavy ground last year and best run this campaign was four weeks ago when fourth at Nottingham (good to soft); interesting with conditions in his favour and off a good mark.

7/2

Form: 217222 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Withdrawn on account of rain-softened ground in the spring, so could do with the weather holding; has done most winning in the early months of the year and returns to turf weighted to his best following two Polytrack wins last winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(2)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

18:40 Yarmouth

Solanna

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: John Butler

Nine wins to his name, including C&D, and just 1lb higher than for March's narrow Kempton success (1m3f); two creditable efforts have followed but he could use the ground drying out if he is to add to his tally.

9/2

3rd

2

(2)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

17:55 Nottingham

Solanna

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

Ridden by Rossa Ryan (now on Kurios Lady) on last two starts, prevailing narrowly at Kempton (1m3f) before a close fourth at Southwell (1m3f); they were on AW and he ran only once on turf last year, when a respectable third off this mark at Haydock (1m2f, good) last July but he needs better than that.

7/2

Form: 0/4335 BF

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Twice turned over as favourite in the spring, latterly when pulling hard in front, and returns from three months off; dam won on soft ground, so rain should be fine, and he's clearly thought to be capable off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(8)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 4

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Always A Star

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Harry Charlton

No wins in nine but he's admirably consistent and again hit the frame over a bit further here a month ago; looks handicapped about right but has each-way claims once more.

11/4

3rd

1

(1)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Always A Star

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Harry Charlton

Eight-race maiden who has been beaten as favourite in four of his five handicaps but he found improvement when a close third over C&D last month; up 3lb but that latest run was a Racing League event and he pulled 4l clear of the fourth; key player.

7/2

3rd

10

(6)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Always A Star

9st 0lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Harry Charlton

4yo who is 0-7 and has been a beaten favourite in all four handicaps; however, he's still run good races and may take a step forward at some point.

7/1

Form: 63436-

Last run: 329 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Regressed in handicaps for Rae Guest last year and makes his debut for a new yard back from 11 months off; Bath maiden win last spring came on comeback, so he has that in his favour and is worth tracking in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(5)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

14:07 Lingfield (AW)

Volto Di Medusa

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jack Jones

Tapeta win last summer came off this mark and the booking of Rossa Ryan is a positive as he returns to the AW after three ordinary efforts on turf; not always looked straightforward and interesting to see whether support comes this time.

12/1

9th

1

(8)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

14:08 Yarmouth

Volto Di Medusa

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Jack Jones

Dual 1m winner on turf (good) and AW; shaped quite well on the AW on his first two starts this year but blew his chance at the start when down the field at Thirsk next time and could only finish midfield at Nottingham (1m2f, good) 25 days ago; drops in grade.

8/1

7th

9

(11)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Volto Di Medusa

9st 5lb

J: Alice Bond

T: Jack Jones

Dual 1m winner (good turf/AW); shaped quite well on AW first two starts this year but blotted his copybook when losing many lengths at the start back on turf at Thirsk last week; more than capable off this mark but not one for maximum faith after that.

14/1

Form: 539530

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent maiden (1m-1m6f) who has the hood refitted, also going in a first-time tongue-tie, having again pulled hard last time; this mark should be within range if settling but therein lies the gamble.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(14)

21st Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

16:55 Yarmouth

Lechuga Lad

9st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: James Fanshawe

Patchy form of late, his easy win at Haydock (1m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in July flanked by modest efforts on the AW (has run well on Tapeta); not sure what to expect.

16/1

8th

2

(8)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:39 Newcastle (AW)

Lechuga Lad

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: James Fanshawe

Off the mark at the ninth attempt with a convincing success at Haydock (1m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in July; up 7lb and will need to show he can also do it back on the AW, but something may have clicked; shortlisted.

15/8

6

(6)

19th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

18:25 Haydock

Lechuga Lad

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: James Fanshawe

Inconsistent maiden (1m-1m6f) who has the hood refitted, also going in a first-time tongue-tie, having again pulled hard last time; this mark should be within range if settling but therein lies the gamble.

8/1

Form: 6-5461 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Wins have all come in high summer and he confirmed his liking for Pontefract when taking advantage of a sliding mark in an amateurs' event last time; up to defying a 4lb rise now back in form but may not want ground softer than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(2)

9th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Leicester

Unplugged

9st 13lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Boasts a good record at Pontefract, where he should have notched a fourth win early last month, and today's similarly stiff 1m2f should suit; not as consistent now, unsurprisingly given his age, but is still more than capable at this level.

8/1

2

(8)

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:15 Catterick

Unplugged

10st 13lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unraced here; goes particularly well at Pontefract where he just failed to catch Star Start over 1m2f last time; stays this far and should be on the scene.

11/4

2nd

1

(3)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:30 Pontefract

Unplugged

11st 2lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

9yo who has an excellent record at Pontefract, most recently taking advantage of a reduced mark in a 1m2f amateurs' event in June under Serena Brotherton; back up 4lb and well beaten at Haydock latest but has to be of interest back here unless the ground is softer than good.

7/2

Form: 339-

Last run: 394 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Picked up for 900gns last autumn having failed to win for the Quinn yard (bumpers/Flat maidens); makes her handicap debut tonight back from more than a year on the sidelines.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(7)

14th Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

14:00 Bath

Positivia

10st 0lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Steph Hollinshead

Seven-race maiden (including two bumpers) who was well beaten after racing too freely on first two starts for new stable (1m2f/1m4f); eased in grade today and should handle the ground but still has a lot to prove.

25/1

8th

4

(9)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:57 Newmarket (July)

Positivia

9st 8lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Steph Hollinshead

Placed in a bumper and twice over 1m4f for the Quinn yard but still sold on for 900gns and made a forgettable stable debut at Haydock (1m2f handicap, good).

33/1

8

(10)

19th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

18:25 Haydock

Positivia

9st 2lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Steph Hollinshead

Picked up for 900gns last autumn having failed to win for the Quinn yard (bumpers/Flat maidens); makes her handicap debut tonight back from more than a year on the sidelines.

33/1

Form: 73-154 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Twice well held in small fields off her revised mark having won a weak Leicester handicap off 6lb lower on her comeback in the spring; something to prove now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(9)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Lingfield (AW)

Guendolen

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Absent since two below-par turf runs in September but an emphatic winner when fresh last April and begins her new campaign from a workable mark; placed on only AW start (in Tapeta in 2024); no surprise if she features.

8/1

6

(6)

11th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

14:47 Epsom

Guendolen

9st 2lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Quickened clear to score by over 3l on seasonal debut at Leicester (1m2f, good) in April; yet to build on that performance in four subsequent starts and it was a modest effort when beating one home at Brighton (1m2f, good to firm) ten days ago.

16/1

3

(2)

1st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

16:20 Brighton

Guendolen

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Quickened clear to score by over 3l on seasonal debut at Leicester (1m2f, good) in April; yet to build on that performance after three subsequent starts but was denied a clear run when fourth at Haydock (1m2f, good) six weeks ago and this race looks easier.

9/1

Form: 8-0880

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Missed more than a year before struggling in two runs in Dubai and three for this yard; handicapper quick to relent, though, and market interest would see him enter calculations for a yard going well of late.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(7)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Age Of Time

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Steph Hollinshead

Useful in his younger days and has found his level again for Ian Williams latterly, albeit he's been expensive to follow; two wins and a close third from four runs round here and remains consistent, so enters calculations for his new yard after three months off.

13/2

3rd

5

(3)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

13:53 Lingfield (AW)

Age Of Time

9st 5lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Ian Williams

Both wins have come at Wolverhampton over further; arrives in form, third to Poetic Force at Wolverhampton (8.6f) before finishing a close second at Newcastle last week (7f); should remain competitive.

4/1

Form: 79-028 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Excuses for two below-par efforts for current connections either side of his Pontefract second off a 2lb higher mark; holds each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(2)

13th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:45 Beverley

Snapcracklepop

9st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Gemma Tutty

Can lead; creditable effort on second start for yard when runner-up at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in June but he's had problems at the stalls otherwise this year and refused to enter them in July; capable but risky.

14/1

11

(1)

19th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

18:25 Haydock

Snapcracklepop

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

Excuses for two below-par efforts for current connections either side of his Pontefract second off a 2lb higher mark; holds each-way claims.

20/1

Form: 7-3985

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Not in much form this season, all on fast ground, but now 4lb lower than when winning on soft going last August; any rain would help her cause.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Mystical Maria

11st 7lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Richard Fahey

Acts on soft; back in form on last four starts, winning by a neck over 1m2f at Redcar and Leicester (15 ran) on the first and latest occasions; back up another 3lb but has to be a leading player.

11/4

4th

3

(8)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Mystical Maria

11st 7lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Richard Fahey

Acts on soft; back in form on last four starts, winning by a neck over 1m2f at Redcar and Leicester (15 ran) on the first and latest occasions; back up another 3lb but has to be a leading player.

11/4

1

(10)

14th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Leicester

Mystical Maria

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Back in form on last three runs, winning at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) before sound runs at Southwell (1m3f) and Beverley (1m2f, soft; beaten a short head, third has won since); interesting.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £70.70
Straight Forecast £47.92
Tricast £295.73
Trifecta £536.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Unplugged

SPOTLIGHT:

Always A Star

The Times:

Equion

The Star:

Mystical Maria

NEWMARKET:

Solanna

Telegraph:

Always A Star

The Guardian:

Always A Star

The Sun:

Equion

POSTDATA:

Unplugged

Daily Mail:

Unplugged

D Express:

Unplugged

Daily Mirror:

Unplugged

Daily Record:

Unplugged