September 02 / 17.18 Haydock

17.18

Good

Parbold Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £6426
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Parbold Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Series Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 0-3232

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Minor honours in small fields, in 1m4f handicaps (good to firm) on last two occasions; needs to find extra for that first win and it's not clear whether this longer trip will help; everything to like about stable form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Night Sparkle

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

In career-best form when at 1m6f-2m this season for three seconds and a fourth; the last two of those races were Group 2s at Goodwood (1m6f second against her own sex; ahead of Grateful) and York (2m fourth against the males) and she should be bang there once again.

7/2

4th

8

(7)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Night Sparkle

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Career-best form to be runner-up at York (1m6f Group 3, good to soft), Sandown (2m Listed, good) and Goodwood (1m6f Group 2, good to firm) in three of her four races this term; those two Group races were against her own sex and she faces a significantly stiffer task today.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 20-111

Last run: 202 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won on Lingfield AW over 1m2f, 1m5f and 1m4f when last seen in January/February; modest in his only three turf runs (latest last September) but he's been running over longer trips since, which looked a clear benefit and he shapes as if he'll stay 1m6f as well; interesting if primed after his absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(6)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

16:20 Kempton (AW)

Melakaz

9st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Stephens

Lightly raced since 2023 and still needs to prove he retains peak ability; has won over C&D (off 4lb higher) but failed to repeat the form back here last time.

20/1

3

(4)

13th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:45 Kempton (AW)

Melakaz

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Robert Stephens

His improved form in 2023 culminated with a C&D win but he's run only three times since and he didn't show enough at Haydock in July, following an absence, to earmark for this race.

20/1

3/1

Form: 7-8312

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Finding a bit of improvement this season, including on last two starts for an authoritative win at Newbury (1m4f, good to firm) and very narrow defeat at Lingfield (1m5f, AW); good chance she will stay 1m6f; cheekpieces enlisted; eyecatching that her trainer won three of last four renewals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

16:28 Kempton (AW)

Shibuya Song

8st 13lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: James Owen

No impact in two runs for her new stable last month; should be well treated and interesting to see if she's stronger in the betting today.

16/1

10

8th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Shibuya Song

9st 0lb

T: James Owen

7th

6

(7)

29th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Shibuya Song

9st 5lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Won a 1m4f Flat handicap for Ed Walker in July 2022 and over hurdles in September 2024 for Richard Phillips; well beaten at Southwell (1m6f, AW; 20-1) on stable debut nine days ago and needs to leave that effort well behind.

12/1

9/1

Form: 447115 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Best efforts on last three starts when winning comfortably at Bath (1m6f) and Newmarket (1m4f) before her fair fifth of six in a steadily run race at Newbury (1m4f); needs to resume progress and return to 1m6f may well help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(2)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Vaynor

10st 9lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Charles Hills

His last win was two years ago but he's on a dangerous mark and was a good second in amateur jockeys' handicap at Haydock (1m6f, good) 17 days ago; should be fine on this drop back in trip and has claims if he can build on that last run.

4/1

5

(6)

8th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Haydock

Vaynor

10st 12lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Charles Hills

His mark continues to fall and he didn't run badly at Windsor (1m2f) in May when back from an absence; however, he's failed to threaten on his three starts since (1m2f-1m6f) and needs to turn things around.

14/1

5th

4

(1)

24th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Newbury

Vaynor

11st 1lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Charles Hills

All five wins from 1m4f to 1m6f; outpaced when fourth of six on reappearance at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in May and he couldn't get in a blow over 1m4f last time; will likely need a pace meltdown; first ride under rules for James Hills.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: -54114 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Deservedly broke her losing run with a double in small fields at this track (11.6f and 1m6f) this summer; those were her second and third starts in cheekpieces which were absent on a rare 2m venture when creditable fourth of 11 here on latest outing; they return today; needs respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

20:09 Carlisle

Arctic Fox

9st 8lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Martin Todhunter

Placed at Catterick (1m6f/2m, good) on first two outings this year but this 10yo needs to shrug off a lesser run over 1m6f here 19 days ago

10/1

9th

13

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Arctic Fox

8st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Placed at Catterick (1m6f/2m, good) on both appearances this season; back up in grade today but won this race off today's mark a year ago (soft ground); shortlisted.

10/1

3rd

5

(1)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Arctic Fox

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

10yo who snapped a losing sequence at Carlisle last June and reappeared with a good second here (1m6f, good) last month; she should be fine back up in trip and can be bang there if backing up that latest performance.

11/2

Form: 421173

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Front-running wins at Doncaster and Ripon this spring; also led when good third at York on latest outing; battled on stoutly last time but, after two attempts, he is not proven beyond 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(1)

5th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Shake A Leg

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Well treated on the form of consecutive 1m4f turf wins in spring 2022; 0-13 on AW and hasn't shown much liking for sand in his most recent attempts but he does act on Tapeta; not ignored back from break.

10/1

10th

4

(6)

30th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Shake A Leg

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

prominent, alone towards far side home straight

16/1

10th

4

(6)

30th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Shake A Leg

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

prominent, alone towards far side home straight

16/1

Form: 367863

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
His only win in recent years came on stable debut over 1m4f at York last September off 5lb higher; patchy record since but he showed enough over 2m on last two outings (here latest) to be given an each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

20th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell (AW)

Kasperenko

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Eric Alston

Too high in the weights when last seen on AW but he has now eased to a more realistic mark; not at his best this summer but Paul Mulrennan is a good booking and better may be on the cards today.

20/1

14th

4

(16)

23rd Sep 2022

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Haydock

Kasperenko

9st 8lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Eric Alston

raced in last, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms (trainer's rep could offer no explanation for the poor form shown)

12/1

3

(5)

2nd Sep 2022

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:18 Haydock

Kasperenko

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Eric Alston

His only win in recent years came on stable debut over 1m4f at York last September off 5lb higher; patchy record since but he showed enough over 2m on last two outings (here latest) to be given an each-way chance.

9/1

Form: 5-7611 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Progressive last summer and back on track with career bests to win from the front under Aiden Brookes at Ayr (1m5f) and Redcar (1m6f) on latest two outings; latest four weeks ago was by a short head but he looked firmly in charge until hanging on from a strong finisher; raised another 3lb but no surprise if he is better than that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(5)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Hamilton

Desert Quest

8st 6lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Winless since January 2024 but he arrives in good nick, third in 1m5f classified event at Ayr (disqualified for riding weighing in light) last month; not out of things back in handicap company.

9/1

3

(2)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

21:00 Ayr

Desert Quest

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ewan Whillans

Five-time winner, with first four on turf (1m4f-1m6f); returned after a long absence in February but he's run well in his last two starts and was beaten less than 2l in a Newcastle handicap (12.4f, Tapeta) last time; now drops into a classified event and he has possibilities back on turf.

5/1

4th

10

(4)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 11lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

C&D winner in January 2024 and several fair efforts after that; ran his best race since a 590-day break when a good fourth at Catterick last time; each-way chance.

7/1

Form: 055

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Latest start was easily his closest finish, albeit still beaten just over 14l when fifth of seven in that novice at Doncaster (1m2f, good); lacks solid claims but there's some stamina in the family and this handicap debut should present a much more realistic chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

13:42 Hexham

Zephlyn

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Ewan Whillans

Below par on the AW this year and again failed to fire when last of five on the Flat at Carlisle (2m, good to firm) two weeks ago; however, his earlier fourth on handicap hurdle debut at Perth (2m4f, good) was more encouraging and gives him a chance of making the frame now down in trip.

10/1

5th

4

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:35 Catterick

Zephlyn

9st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

In good form on the Flat this time last year, following up 2m win at Newcastle by winning twice over this C&D in May (good/good to firm); not been in top form on AW this year, but better run over hurdles last time; 5lb lower than last Flat win and is one with a chance.

9/2

Non-runners

Shake A Leg, Kasperenko, Desert Quest, Zephlyn

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.00
Straight Forecast £21.04
Trifecta £42.60

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Night Sparkle

POSTDATA:

Arctic Fox

Daily Mail:

Shibuya Song

SPOTLIGHT:

Desert Quest

RP Ratings:

Kasperenko

LAMBOURN:

Vaynor

The Guardian:

Melakaz

The Times:

Night Sparkle

The Sun:

Night Sparkle

Daily Record:

Night Sparkle

Daily Express:

Shibuya Song

The Star:

Desert Quest

Telegraph:

Arctic Fox

Daily Mirror:

Arctic Fox

TOPSPEED:

Kasperenko