April 25 / 14.35 Haydock

14.35

Good

William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 7f 37y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
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William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1124- D

Last run: 273 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Began his career with two 7f AW wins and he was a fine second at Chester on his handicap debut last June (7f, good); fourth of 17 in a 1m handicap at Ascot when last seen nine months ago, a run that can be marked up as he raced away from the first three home; still has potential and he returns with his stable back in better form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:40 Haydock

Cosi Bello

10st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charlie Fellowes

Knuckled down well to justify favouritism here on reappearance but hasn't made the expected further progress; seems to stay 1m but all three successes remain at 7f; concedes weight all round; others preferred.

13/2

6th

4

(13)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Cosi Bello

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Not seen to best effect when mid-division in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) last time out but prior to that he kept on well to make a winning reappearance at Haydock (7f, good to firm) and this very lightly raced 4yo retains potential, especially back up to 1m.

4/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 121-20 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
His latest Newcastle defeat isn't the run to judge him on and he had been progressing well beforehand; no problem with the return to turf and stepping back up to 7f will be of benefit; interesting with cheekpieces now given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(11)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Sarab Star

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

His latest Newcastle defeat isn't the run to judge him on and he had been progressing well beforehand; no problem with the return to turf and stepping back up to 7f will be of benefit; interesting with cheekpieces now given a go.

9/2

13th

8

(1)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Sarab Star

9st 3lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

Unexposed and progressive handicapper who has two wins and two seconds to his name from four AW appearances; lost little in defeat at Kempton 16 days ago when chasing home a smart rival who was winning the race for the fourth time; a stiff 6f should be fine but stall 1 might not be beneficial given the forecast of a brisk crosswind; stable also runs Ferrous.

7/1

2nd

5

(1)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Sarab Star

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

Ridden forward and improved each of his three starts last year, achieving a first and second over C&D before seeing off Serengeti at Wolverhampton (also 7f); looks set to make an even better 4yo and prove tough to beat.

7/4

7/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 2240-0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Strong handicap form over 7f last summer, winning at Goodwood and Chepstow as well as finishing second in a 20-runner event at Ascot (all when wearing blinkers); still feasibly weighted on that form and he went without headgear when down the field in the Lincoln; the blinkers return today and he's a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Newbury

Great Acclaim

10st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

7f specialist, not beaten far in Ascot's Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm) in first half of this year; never able to challenge over same C&D last time; this is less competitive and he should be thereabouts.

9/2

9th

3

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Merely mid-division behind Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket a fortnight ago but this C&D brings out the best in him, as evidenced by this season's close-up finishes in the Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm); could be bang there now back at Ascot.

16/1

8th

4

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Great Acclaim

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Ran well, only a neck behind Elarak, in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot to maintain his solid record in headgear; good second in the Victoria Cup the time before; threatening to win a big prize; shortlisted.

6/1

Form: 21103- CD

Last run: 178 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Had strong handicap form over 1m in the second half of 2025, finishing second at York's Ebor meeting (good to firm) before recording back-to-back wins at Goodwood (good to soft and good); ran well for third in a Nottingham Listed race when last seen 178 days ago; only seventh in this race 12 months ago and he's 4lb higher today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

2nd

1

(13)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Cerulean Bay

9st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: David O’Meara

Blew his chance at the start in most recent handicap attempt but generally consistent otherwise in the last year and ties in with several of today's rivals on Royal Hunt Cup form; 2-2 at Goodwood and looks interesting back here despite remaining on a career-high mark.

16/1

Form: 11793- D

Last run: 183 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Began 2025 with 7f novice wins at Kempton and Doncaster; ended his 3yo campaign with a close third at Doncaster (7f, soft) 183 days ago; sold out of Roger Varian's stable for 85,000gns in October; still has low mileage, is yet to run a poor race when wearing a hood and is starting out for a trainer in great form; lots to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Khafiz

8st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Roger Fell

Won twice in novice company (7f) for Roger Varian; yet to win a handicap but he has run two sound races (1m and 7f) for his new stable; returns to 6f for the first time since his debut and he should have enough pace to cope.

10/1

4th

6

(3)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Khafiz

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Yet to win a handicap but he is easing down the weights and his stable debut at York (1m, good to firm) was encouraging; well drawn back at 7f and he's one to consider.

10/1

4th

8

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Khafiz

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Roger Fell

Following an encouraging reappearance fifth at Haydock in April he was beaten a long way on his final two starts for Ed Bethell; however, he's well treated on last season's form and perhaps he'll have been revived by a change of scenery; market check advised on stable debut.

20/1

16/1

Form: 9410-7 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Came good at Goodwood last August (7f, good to firm), running on strongly to bag a Class 2 handicap; faced a stiff task in a Thirsk conditions event on his reappearance two weeks ago; opposable with his usual visor remaining absent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(15)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Goodwood

Darkness

8st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has several pieces of Goodwood form, including a success (off 1lb higher) in this race last year and resurgent effort (made good late progress from difficult position) in latest crack at the Golden Mile; inconsistent otherwise this season.

10/1

6th

21

(17)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Darkness

8st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David O’Meara

Registered one of his 2025 wins at Goodwood, off current mark to boot; however, broadly out of sorts this term and needs to stage a revival; creditable fourth in this race in 2023 and 2024 but was in better form both times.

40/1

12th

2

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Darkness

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has won over 1m but raced mainly at 7f; not solid on 2026 form and he came up short when a 50-1 shot in big field at York most recently; opposed in another competitive race, back up in trip.

25/1

20/1

Form: 8320-0 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at Doncaster on his return but he wasn't well drawn and has a modest record fresh; stepping up to 7f will give him more time to claw back the ground he's likely to forfeit at the start; on a dangerous mark and he's a lively outsider, for all his losing run stretches back to October 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(9)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Korker

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

On a long losing run but he has dropped to a dangerous mark and his latest Newcastle run confirmed he retains a good chunk of ability, surging to the front 1f out but failing to see out the stiff 7f; this easier test should suit and he can't be discounted.

10/1

4th

8

(12)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Slow starter; on a long losing run; creditable effort at Chester four weeks ago but this stiff 7f isn't sure to suit.

20/1

6th

7

(11)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: K R Burke

Slow-starter; on a dangerous mark but he is without a win since October 2023 and one 7f run didn't see him improve for the trip.

28/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 67-538 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Close third in Listed company at Wolverhampton last month on his first attempt at 7f and he wasn't beaten for a lack of stamina; not at his best in a hot sprint handicap at Newcastle on Good Friday; no surprise to see him bounce back with a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Marshman

9st 11lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Close third in Listed company at Wolverhampton last month on his first attempt at 7f and he wasn't beaten for a lack of stamina; not at his best in a hot sprint handicap at Newcastle on Good Friday; no surprise to see him bounce back with a big run.

10/1

8th

5

(9)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Marshman

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Did well in early 2025 on AW, winning a C&D handicap in good style and following up in Listed company at Lingfield; finished third in the corresponding race 12 months ago when rated 5lb higher; running himself back into form this winter, most recently a close third over 7f four weeks ago, and he looks primed to give Clifford Lee a winning return to the saddle.

6/1

3rd

4

(6)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 1

15:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Marshman

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Strong AW form in the first half of 2025; awkward leaving the stalls in his two runs this winter and the form has been well short of his best; steps up to 7f for the first time.

6/1

Form: 1/012/ D

Last run: 1038 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Progressive handicapper for the Crisfords and he was last seen finishing second in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) in June 2023; sold for 20,000gns in May 2024; only dropped 3lb during his 1038-day absence; likely best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(6)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:37 Newmarket (July)

Croupier

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Missed almost three years before returning this spring; well held in first runs for current yard but he rallied well to finish third of 15 at Thirsk (7f, good) two weeks ago; that was much more like it and he remains well handicapped on his old form including three wins over this trip; interesting contender.

13/2

3rd

2

(9)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Croupier

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Well handicapped on his form up to June 2023 but he was then absent until this season and hasn't been the force of old on his three runs in 2026.

20/1

15th

4

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Croupier

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Top handicap form for the Crisfords in 2023, including at York; absent for 1038 days prior to his Haydock return in April and duly well beaten; better run here at the Dante meeting and he should be at concert pitch now.

40/1

12th
4 (12)
Caburn

7/1

Form: 001-83

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won a valuable pot as a 2yo; slow to come to hand as a 3yo but he changed yards last summer and made an impressive winning return from a gelding operation last September (6f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for the first time); fine reappearance when third in the Listed Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) four weeks ago; raised 3lb for his troubles and still has to prove his stamina for 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:19 Newmarket (July)

Caburn

9st 3lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: James Tate

Kept on for Listed third at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) in March and was denied clear run when respectable sixth in Newcastle handicap (6f, AW) on latest outing in June but appears to face a tough assignment here.

20/1

6th

3

(10)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Caburn

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: James Tate

Useful as 2yo sprinter; successful when sights lowered at Yarmouth last September and his third in a 6f Listed race at Doncaster (good to soft) in March was his best form; hard to call him well handicapped now though.

33/1

16/1

Form: 62/90-

Last run: 420 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1301-7 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.00
Straight Forecast £13.91
Tricast £64.80
Trifecta £88.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Cosi Bello

POSTDATA:

Sarab Star

D Express:

Khafiz

Daily Mirror:

Caburn

SPOTLIGHT:

Great Acclaim

TOPSPEED:

Korker

NEWMARKET:

Cosi Bello

The Times:

Cosi Bello

Telegraph:

Cosi Bello

LAMBOURN:

Sarab Star

Daily Mail:

Sarab Star

The Star:

Caburn

The Sun:

Khafiz

Daily Record:

Khafiz

The Guardian:

Great Acclaim