May 23 / 16.05 Haydock

16.05

Soft

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 2m 0f 46y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Abandoned

Form: -68215 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
What a fantastic horse he's been, hitting his peak in 2024 but coming down the weights in handicaps and already making his presence felt over 2m and 1m4f this season; his fifth in Germany 13 days ago was in a Group 2, so another good run; effective at this track and remains in serious calculations on good or good to soft, but unproven on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Ripon

Prydwen

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Last five outings on AW, posting his most encouraging effort when second of 12 in a 2m Newcastle Good Friday handicap; nudged back up 2lb for that but he's still 3lb lower than when runner-up at Chester (2m, good to soft) last September; should go well.

3/1

2nd

4

(10)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Prydwen

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: George Scott

Won this in 2024 and he's dropping down the weights; this 8yo has shown the odd sign of spark over the last 12 months but his AW exploits this winter indicate it's best to look elsewhere.

14/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 7606-0 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Started 2025 with a bang when winning a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in April; remote with ambitious targets on next three starts, followed by an upturn (sixth of 11) in 2m handicap at Chester in September but well beaten on Newmarket reappearance (1m6f) three weeks ago; hood and blinkers (he has tried other headgear) are now given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(9)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Yashin

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Bell

Started 2025 with a bang for new connections when winning a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in April; remote with ambitious targets on next three starts and although sixth of 11 in 2m handicap at Chester in September was an upturn, markedly better is required to win this..

12/1

1

(2)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:40 Chester

Yashin

9st 12lb

J: Archie Young

T: Michael Bell

Given wind surgery and tongue tied for new connections this season, which he started with a bang when winning a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in April; remote since, however, in the Gold Cup there, a French Group 2 and the Ebor at York; this is a lesser handicap but he does not inspire great confidence even so.

20/1

Abandoned

Form: 66070- C

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
2-2 here on the Flat, albeit in 2021; very smart on Flat at his best but he's not scored in this sphere since 2023 and had a disappointing 2025; had a mixed hurdles campaign last season, last seen 11 weeks ago; all wins have been on soft or heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:32 Ayr

Tashkhan

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Brian Ellison

A very useful four-time winner on the Flat, he got off to a winning start over hurdles at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) in December; stayed on well to snatch third up in trip in a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; holds obvious credentials back down in grade.

2/1

Abandoned

Form: 111-62 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ended last year in storming form for 1m6f/2m hat-trick and came a respectable second at Newbury (2m, good) five weeks ago after a three-month break; peak efforts on softer than good, so she needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

17th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

16:20 Newbury

Blazeon Five

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Ended last year in storming form for 1m6f/2m hat-trick and not disgraced when never dangerous in January when last seen; peak efforts on softer than good but she's not dismissed.

7/1

6th

5

(11)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:15 Newcastle (AW)

Blazeon Five

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Alan King

Excellent overall strike-rate and she's won her last three, finding plenty for pressure each time (latest on the Tapeta at Southwell); only 3lb higher and will give it her best shot.

13/2

Abandoned

Form: 650-43 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won two 1m6f handicaps last term, one in a valuable race here; back-to-form third with a first-time visor at Newmarket (1m6f) three weeks ago, so re-enters calculations despite earlier lesser efforts over 2m2f and 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(11)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Pole Star

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Won two 1m6f handicaps last term; back-to-form third with a first-time visor at Newmarket (1m6f) four weeks ago, so he re-enters calculations despite earlier lesser efforts over 2m2f and 2m.

9/2

3rd

10

(10)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Pole Star

8st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Won two 1m6f handicaps last term and two respectable efforts in valuable races in late summer; just 10-1 for 2m2f Cesarewitch at Newmarket on final 3yo outing, which did not work out, and he was just 15-8 when fading into fourth of six at Newbury (2m) 16 days ago on first run since he was gelded; connections now turn to a visor and drop him back in trip.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 1239-6 C

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Almuhit

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Faye Bramley

Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.

16/1

4th

15

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Almuhit

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Four-time Flat winner is 2-19 over hurdles; 8l behind Laughing John when runner up in qualifier for this at Wincanton on penultimate; modest run on the level at Musselburgh on latest; others make more appeal.

12/1

Form: 22220/

Last run: 588 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Finally off the mark in Britain in May 2024 and runner-up on next four starts, including when coming from well back over 2m4f at Glorious Goodwood; however, he flopped when just 9-1 for the Cesarewitch (soft) that October and not seen since; that was his only run in Britain on softer than good; well handicapped were he to return at his best after 588 days off; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(4)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Premiere Ligne

10st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

Finally off the mark in Britain in May 2024 and runner-up on next four starts, including when coming from well back over 2m4f at Glorious Goodwood; however, he flopped when just 9-1 for the Cesarewitch (soft) that October and not seen since; that was his only run in Britain on softer than good; well handicapped were he to return at his best on this AW debut after 588 days off; market may guide.

14/1

16th

20

(10)

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Premiere Ligne

8st 3lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Hughie Morrison

Unraced in Britain on softer than good; finally off the mark in Britain in May and runner-up all four starts since; came from well back over 2m4f (a 1m step up in trip) at Glorious Goodwood and lost out in a duel from over 2f out in the Cesarewitch Trial over C&D three weeks ago; 5lb claimer gets the leg up this time; wore cheekpieces once (well beaten) in 2023 and now tries blinkers; strong each-way chance if they have no adverse effect.

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 34122- BF

Last run: 229 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Small-field Lingfield maiden last August was his only win but he was on the premises in nearly all his handicaps; tried various headgear on last five starts and switches it again on this first run since leaving Ralph Beckett for 90,000gns in October; unraced beyond 1m4f or on softer than good, but staying trips are worth exploring and he has a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Venezuelan

9st 13lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Gary Hanmer

Small-field Lingfield maiden last August was his only win but he was on the premises in nearly all his handicaps; tried various headgear on last five starts and switches it again on this first run since leaving Ralph Beckett for 90,000gns in October; unraced beyond 1m4f but staying trips are worth exploring and he has a competitive mark.

8/1

1

(1)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newmarket (July)

Venezuelan

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Good runs in handicaps at Newmarket (1m2f) and Ascot (1m4f; first-time blinkers retained since) before running away with a small-field 1m3f maiden at Lingfield; obvious claims.

5/6

Abandoned

Form: 5114-4 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

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

Abandoned

Form: 6610-7

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

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

Abandoned

Form: 554422 BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Held up; 6yo who is 6-27 on AW surfaces but 1-14 on turf; minor honours back on turf for last four outings and he was second of six in this race last year, but a supporting role again seems likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(5)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Humble Spark

8st 3lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Tough 6yo with seven wins to his name; beaten favourite at Hamilton (1m3f, good) last time but shaped quite nicely, keeping on into second place after a slow start and meeting trouble; place possibilities again at the very least.

10/1

2nd

6

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Humble Spark

8st 5lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Held up; exposed 6yo who is 6-27 on AW surfaces but 1-13 on turf; however, that solitary turf win was over C&D (2024) and he wasn't far away back on turf for last three outings; case can be made.

7/2

Non-runners

Zinc White

Verdict

Topweight Prydwen has the same colours that were carried to victory last year by Caballo De Mar for George Scott and there is a good chance that this redoubtable 8yo will follow suit if the ground is not worse than good to soft. The lightly raced, ex-French HERMETIC could be too hot for him to handle, though, after he seemingly exceeded expectations over a shorter trip on his British debut. Blazeon Five is third on the list, ahead of Pole Star.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hermetic

RP RATINGS:

Prydwen

TOPSPEED:

Venezuelan

Daily Mail:

Humble Spark

NEWMARKET:

Yashin

Daily Record:

Blazeon Five

The Times:

Hermetic

Telegraph:

Hermetic

The Guardian:

Hermetic

The Sun:

Hermetic

D Express:

Venezuelan

POSTDATA:

Prydwen

Daily Mirror:

Prydwen

The Star:

Prydwen