September 06 / 16.40 Haydock

16.40

Good

Betfair Podcasts Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £11514.8
  • 1m 0f 37y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Betfair Podcasts Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 990331 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Back to winning ways over 1m at Ayr (good) four weeks ago; raised 3lb but he defied this mark on soft at York last autumn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Wetherby

Empirestateofmind

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Prolific winner at 1m-1m1f on good or slower; inconsistent this season but has slipped to a workable mark and, if in the same form as at Ripon on penultimate start, he could have a say.

10/1

11th

13

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Empirestateofmind

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Multiple wins at 1m and 1m1f (good or softer) include two over C&D; quite favourably treated now and he was a very respectable fourth at Ripon recently, when just behind a subsequent winner; needs a bit more here.

16/1

4th

2

(6)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins last year (1m/1m1f, good/soft); the last of them came in a seller and he was well beaten on last month's reappearance at Doncaster, but that was the competitive Spring Mile and he may have needed the run; won this in 2022 and he's not discounted off a handy mark.

10/1

Form: 505649 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won this race in 2023; awarded this year's Spring Mile at Doncaster (good to soft) after a stewards' inquiry; mixed results since but he's dropped to 2lb below his Doncaster mark; contender if recent switch from Darryll Holland to Gay Kelleway sparks a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(7)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Hamilton

Pearl Eye

9st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Awarded the Spring Mile at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) last March and he's fully 12lb lower today; ran well in defeat at Ayr last month on first two starts for this yard (1m/1m1f, good to firm) and he's on the shortlist.

11/4

4th

8

(5)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 4

14:42 Ayr

Pearl Eye

8st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won six for Darryll Holland, most notably when awarded the Spring Mile in March 2025; lost his way thereafter, and Gay Kelleway (0-4) couldn't rejuvenate; joined Jim Goldie for 13,000gns and there were positive signs when third over 1m here (stable debut) recently; is dangerously handicapped.

9/4

3rd

1

(3)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Pearl Eye

9st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Fairly useful for Darryll Holland, then form went markedly awry during a brief spell with Gay Kelleway; sold for 13,000gns since last run; market may prove instructive on debut for another new yard.

8/1

Form: 521 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Progressive form at around 1m; had subsequent winners behind when second at Nottingham (good to soft) in July and duly landed short odds on AW at Lingfield last month; hard to argue this opening mark is generous but he's almost certainly capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Mezcala

9st 0lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Outstayed over 1m1f on final start last term, which was also his only race on good to firm; progressive at 1m otherwise and laughed at his 21 rivals in the Spring Mile at Doncaster (good to soft) on reappearance seven weeks ago; up 8lb but that win came with huge authority and he's still low mileage.

5/1

1st

12

(3)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Mezcala

9st 7lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Outstayed over 1m1f when last seen; progressive at 1m otherwise and still has very low mileage; bred to take well to this scenario, being related to 2022 Lincoln winner Johan for same connections; remains of interest.

9/2

13

(3)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket

Mezcala

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

3yo who has improved with each of his four runs, winning at Lingfield (1m, AW) last month before close second on handicap debut at Haydock (1m, good; well backed); pedigree provides optimism today's extra yardage will suited and this unexposed sort is firmly in calculations.

9/2

Form: 510134 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Three wins on turf (good/soft) since May and he may well have had a fourth here last month but for meeting trouble; last week's fourth of 13 in a Racing League event at Southwell (1m) shows he's still in form; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(10)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:30 Doncaster

Mysteryofthesands

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tim Easterby

Second in a division of this last year (soft) and three wins this term; ran okay when fifth of 13 at Beverley last time and not ruled out.

10/1

8

(12)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:08 Beverley

Mysteryofthesands

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

A dual C&D scorer in the summer; didn't fire in 1m Haydock handicap 17 days ago but no surprise if he bounces back here.

10/1

6

(2)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

Mysteryofthesands

9st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Three wins on turf (good/soft) since May and he may well have had a fourth here last month but for meeting trouble; last week's fourth of 13 in a Racing League event at Southwell (1m) shows he's still in form; considered.

15/2

Form: 432122 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Improved RPR on each of his seven starts, winning a handicap over the extended 7f at Beverley in July and going down only to fellow progressive 3yos around 1m on turf/AW since; a further 2lb nudge from the handicapper may not stop him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(5)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

A War Eagle

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Suited by good/firmer; has quickly found his form this season for new yard and ran creditably in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m) last Saturday when attempting to follow up his Beverley success (7.5f); may do better still.

9/1

5th

14

(12)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

A War Eagle

8st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Low-mileage 4yo who was having only his second start for this yard when clinging on over the extended 7f at Beverley (good to firm) nine days ago; only raised 3lb but this is a step up from that Class 4 and his draw isn't ideal for one who usually races close to the pace.

12/1

Form: 420730

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
0-12 since debut win on AW but there have been some good runs since, notably his second in the Silver Bowl over C&D (good) in May; a very poor run at Newcastle 16 days ago needs forgiving, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(5)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Tilted Kilt

9st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: William Knight

Went 0-14 after his winning debut at two but belatedly doubled his tally when comfortably accounting for his five rivals after a break at Southwell (1m); this is tougher, but he was runner-up in last year's Silver Bowl at Haydock which was a Class 2 handicap on turf; only 3lb higher than that day.

7/1

Form: 309365 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Still 5lb higher than when making a successful reappearance at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in May; latest fifth of 11 over C&D (good to firm) 27 days ago was respectable but underlines he needs a bit more from this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:35 Chester

Be Frank

9st 3lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Won at Newmarket in May and he did well to finish third over C&D (good) in July, having taken a wide route into the straight; has remained in good form since and has claims if he responds well to first-time visor.

11/1

9

(1)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

Be Frank

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Still 5lb higher than when making a successful reappearance at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in May; latest fifth of 11 over C&D (good to firm) 27 days ago was respectable but underlines he needs a bit more from this mark.

8/1

Form: -32241 D

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Made it eighth time lucky in maiden/novice events when making all over the extended 1m at Beverley (good to firm; acts on good to soft) in June, his final start for Charlie Johnston; an improved effort will be needed to defy this opening handicap mark on his stable debut (same owner).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(9)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

19:20 Lingfield (AW)

Special Ghaiyyath

9st 7lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck

Made all for both wins at around 1m on turf last year, each for a different stable; has run well on Tapeta, but Polytrack remains a question and he will need to do better than on his debut for this yard at Bath 15 days ago.

16/1

6th

3

(3)

27th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Bath

Special Ghaiyyath

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck

One win apiece for his two previous yards, taking his turf record to 22411; ran well on AW last time and sold for 25,000gns since; interesting returned to this sphere on debut for another new stable.

100/30

3rd

6

(3)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Special Ghaiyyath

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Tate

Eighth attempt when making all in a Beverley maiden (8.5f); left Charlie Johnston and made a winning start for new stable with another all-the-way success at Haydock (1m) in September; 9-4 favourite, something presumably not right (hung left and weakened quickly) when last of ten at Southwell in November; given a bit of time since; no surprise were he to resume his progress.

15/2

Form: 106-59 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Overcame greenness to win on C&D debut (soft) last September; has failed to back up that form in four subsequent outings (mainly AW) and needs a first-time visor and return to Haydock to spark a revival back from eight weeks off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Ayr

One Eye Jack

9st 4lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Hugo Palmer

Successful on 2yo debut; has failed to repeat that form since, well held over C&D most recently; chance depends on how well he responds to new headgear.

14/1

6

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ayr

One Eye Jack

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hugo Palmer

Won on 2yo debut at Haydock (1m, soft) last September; the return to slow ground may be a positive but he's gone backwards from that initial promise and was soundly beaten at Haydock (1m, good) only 12 days ago.

9/1

11

(11)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

One Eye Jack

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Hugo Palmer

Overcame greenness to win on C&D debut (soft) last September; has failed to back up that form in four subsequent outings (mainly AW) and needs a first-time visor and return to Haydock to spark a revival back from eight weeks off.

20/1

Non-runners

Surrey Shadow, We Dare To Dream

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.40
Straight Forecast £10.86
Tricast £48.16
Trifecta £60.40

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Mezcala

SPOTLIGHT:

A War Eagle

POSTDATA:

Be Frank

NEWMARKET:

Special Ghaiyyath

TOPSPEED:

We Dare To Dream

D Express:

Tilted Kilt

Daily Mail:

Mezcala

The Sun:

Mezcala

The Star:

Mezcala

Daily Record:

Mezcala

RP RATINGS:

A War Eagle

The Times:

A War Eagle

Telegraph:

A War Eagle

The Guardian:

Be Frank

Daily Mirror:

Be Frank