September 05 / 17.27 Haydock

17.27

Good

Betfair Exchange Handicap

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 1m 3f 140y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Betfair Exchange Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather:

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.20
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 722

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper (1m5f, good to soft) on debut last October; came up short in stronger bumpers on next two starts before his attentions were switched to Flat racing this summer; second in novice events at Lingfield (11.6f) and Kempton (1m4f) make him a plausible candidate for this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Gnomon

10st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

Fairly useful Flat racer; runner-up on first three hurdle starts (all 2m) before cruising clear in four-runner Ascot maiden (2m3f, good) last month; could easily have more improvement to come in handicap hurdles; interesting.

7/2

1st

2

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

13:55 Ascot

Gnomon

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two Flat handicaps for Ralph Beckett; he's getting there over hurdles judged on his near miss at Taunton (2m, good) and this longer trip could trigger the improvement he'll need to trouble West Hill Verde.

9/4

2nd

4

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Gnomon

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two handicaps on the Flat for Ralph Beckett, the latest at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) in October; runner-up on both starts over hurdles, last time finishing 10l second at Kempton (2m, good; third has won since); contender.

3/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 426522

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Sole win came as a 2yo last August but he's been runner-up from off the pace on varied ground in three of his last five starts, over this sort of trip on last two occasions; each-way contender again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(6)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Pappa Louis

9st 4lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Sole win came as a 2yo last August but he's been runner-up from off the pace on varied ground in three of his last five starts, over this sort of trip on last two occasions; each-way contender again.

6/1

4

(5)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:00 Yarmouth

Pappa Louis

9st 4lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

No match for the progressive Bosphorus Rose at Catterick latest (soft), but didn't fail for stamina on that second 1m4f outing; new career-low mark despite that above-par run, and return to sounder turf is fine.

6/1

4

(4)

23rd Jul 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

16:30 Catterick

Pappa Louis

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tom Dascombe

Held up this season; second at Chester (1m2f) in May is easily the best of his five runs this season and he was tailed off at Epsom latest on first attempt at 1m4f; visored last four starts and tongue tied latest, but cheekpieces (tried once as 2yo, below form) return; unraced on softer than good.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 594126

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
3yo whose best efforts were a win at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in July and a close second here (10.4f) next time; 16-1 for a Racing League race back at Southwell (1m4f) last time, a performance which might be forgiven but he needs to find a bit extra overall if he's to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(7)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Everyoneknowsadave

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Jessica Macey

Three-time AW winner who has rather stagnated in that sphere in 2026; record of 0-8 on turf but he was placed off higher marks in last two attempts; each-way possibilities, provided he's back in similar form.

8/1

OUR TIP

11/2

Form: 6-4566

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Well-backed favourite and didn't get much luck on seasonal return here (1m2f, good) in April; he's not really threatened to make amends in his three starts since, however; not proven on softer than good but his one crack at 1m3f (AW last August) was creditable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

16:35 Aintree

Into Battle

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Robert Stephens

Useful on the Flat, of similar ability to Road To Wembley; made hurdle debut in a race won by Sober Glory, after which he had wind surgery; chased home a promising horse at Kempton and shouldn't be far away.

7/2

2nd

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Kempton

Into Battle

11st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Robert Stephens

Had wind surgery since finishing tailed off in Newbury novice hurdle for new yard; retains potential under this code, having proved fairly useful on the Flat.

16/1

10th

4

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:35 Newbury

Into Battle

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Robert Stephens

Took his Flat record to 3-14 with 1m2f success (RPR 82) on last appearance; sold out of Ed Walker's stable for 50,000gns later in October; market may give further guidance switched to this code.

16/1

Form: 7/80-3

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Three hurdle races for new stable early in the year but he showed more when third of eight at Chester (1m2f, good to firm) last month after a break; stays 1m3f and had form on testing ground early in career; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Rogue Sea

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

The winner of two novices, on fast and slow ground; placed over 1m2f here last month before finishing midfield last week at Haydock (extended 1m3f); in the mix.

5/1

5th

4

(2)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Rogue Sea

10st 1lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Three hurdle races for new stable early in the year but he showed more when third of eight at Chester (1m2f, good to firm) last month after a break; stays 1m3f and had form on testing ground early in career; interesting.

7/1

6th
11 (7)
Cynthia

12/1

Form: 7-6524

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Beaten a head on handicap debut at Leicester (1m4f, good) in July but last of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) 18 days later; needs overall improvement but she is a lightly raced 3yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(7)

11th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

16:28 Kempton (AW)

Cynthia

9st 11lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David Pipe

0-7 for James Horton but she finished second in turf handicaps over 1m4f and 1m6f last season; sold for 27,000gns in October; likely to stay 2m and she's not fully exposed; interesting.

7/4

9

(8)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Cynthia

8st 12lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: James Horton

Went close on handicap debut at Leicester (1m4f, good) in July but hasn't been at the same level on either outing since (1m4f, AW/good).

20/1

Form: 116149

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won three at Ripon from his six starts for this yard; those wins were 1m, however, and his form was not as good when tried over 1m2f, including when tailed off on latest start; big questions to answer over new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:23 Catterick

Precious Spartan

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Patrick Neville

Progressive after joining this yard last May, winning three times at Ripon (1m, good) and posting a close third at Ayr (1m, soft) in September when last seen; the drop back to 7f might not be ideal on his reappearance but he's one to consider nevertheless.

11/1

8

(5)

19th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ayr

Precious Spartan

9st 5lb

J: Archie Young

T: Patrick Neville

Returning to 1m from further is a good thing but all his best form is on drier ground.

40/1

7th

10

(11)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Precious Spartan

9st 1lb

J: Archie Young

T: Patrick Neville

Won three at Ripon from his six starts for this yard; those wins were 1m, however, and his form was not as good when tried over 1m2f, including when tailed off on latest start; big questions to answer over new trip.

20/1

7/2

Form: 054161 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Flopped at Thirsk on penultimate start but won over this sort of trip at Windsor and Newmarket in his other two handicaps, all three of them on good to firm; cheekpieces are installed after his narrow verdict in a three-runner race last time; lightly raced 3yo from whom more improvement is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Bondi

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

2-4 since switched to middle-distance handicaps, the latter win gained in three-runner race at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) in August; raced too freely and was well beaten in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month; not easy to predict on this AW debut.

7/1

8th

7

(9)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Bondi

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Richard Hannon

Flopped at Thirsk on penultimate start but won over this sort of trip at Windsor and Newmarket in his other two handicaps, all three of them on good to firm; cheekpieces are installed after his narrow verdict in a three-runner race last time; lightly raced 3yo from whom more improvement is possible.

7/2

3

(2)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newmarket (July)

Bondi

9st 1lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Improved form when upped in trip to an extended 1m3f at Windsor, showing a willing attitude to prevail narrowly; ran no race back there off this 5lb higher mark but clearly better than that.

7/2

25/1

Form: 26-065

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won a 1m4f handicap on AW for Ed Bethell last October; not so good on his last four outings, with new stable for last two, and his record in turf handicaps suggests he is opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

4

(6)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sectarius

9st 12lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won 1m4f AW handicap for Ed Bethell in October 2024; no worthwhile form in three turf starts for Tim Easterby; folded tamely behind Church Mountain on stable debut last month.

20/1

11th

3

(10)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sectarius

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a 1m4f handicap on AW for Ed Bethell in October 2024; not so good in most recent runs, including three turf starts for Tim Easterby; makes stable debut now and perhaps return to AW can help.

20/1

9th

6

(4)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Sectarius

10st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won a 1m4f handicap on AW for Ed Bethell last October; not so good on his last four outings, with new stable for last two, and his record in turf handicaps suggests he is opposable.

25/1

10/1

Form: 136536 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
1m2f win here in April in a consistent season, bar one blip; raced freely in the lead when she last tried this sort of trip (penultimate start) but she did well over 11.4f on soft when held up last October; each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

2nd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Afloat

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: George Scott

Multiple turf winner at up to 11.5f; less effective on AW surfaces but her best such effort was when last tried at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) in May; if able to repeat that form she would have claims from this 5lb lower mark but she's not easy to predict.

12/1

10th

2

(10)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Afloat

10st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

1m2f win here in April in a consistent season, bar one blip; raced freely in the lead when she last tried this sort of trip (penultimate start) but she did well over 11.4f on soft when held up last October; each-way player.

10/1

6th

4

(3)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:30 Windsor

Afloat

9st 10lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: George Scott

Bar one blip she's been running well for George Scott and won over this trip at Haydock in April off the very same mark; last two runs weren't bad at all, having not got the run of things at Ripon and she raced freely when third at Catterick (1m4f).

16/1

Form: 210626

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Unproven on softer than good; plenty of good runs this season, including three wins in the spring, and perhaps Chester was to blame for a lesser show last time; thereabouts if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

17:52 Southwell (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Sam England

7-47 on AW but has struggled for form since finishing third at Newcastle (1m, Class 5; from 12lb higher) last November; failed to beat a rival in each of his last two starts (9.4f/1m4f) so it's difficult to have confidence.

25/1

10th

2

(8)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sam England

4lb lower than when winning over C&D last March and 11lb lower than when successful at Pontefract in April; little inspiration from his recent AW efforts, though, beaten 11l, 17.5l, and 23l respectively in three starts in 2026.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.20
Straight Forecast £20.90
Tricast £130.85
Trifecta £152.20

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Bondi

RP RATINGS:

Afloat

Daily Record:

Gnomon

LAMBOURN:

Pappa Louis

The Star:

Sectarius

SPOTLIGHT:

Rogue Sea

The Times:

Bondi

Telegraph:

Bondi

The Guardian:

Bondi

Daily Mail:

Bondi

D Express:

Bondi

Daily Mirror:

Bondi

The Sun:

Bondi

POSTDATA:

Afloat

NEWMARKET:

Afloat