September 05 / 16.15 Haydock

16.15

Soft

Betfair Be Friendly Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Betfair Be Friendly Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1st
1 (4)
Poatan

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £2.25

Form: 513-37

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo whose best juvenile run came on good to soft ground in a Doncaster sales race (extended 6f); back in action with a strong-finishing but luckless third of eight in a Sandown Listed race (5f, good) but he made no serious impact in a York handicap since; today's test should suit better and he's far from exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

(3)

17th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Poatan

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: George Scott

Lightly raced 3yo who showed a jolt of improvement when winning a handicap at Haydock (5f, soft; previous win came over 6f on good to firm) six weeks ago; clearly going the right way, but this Group 1 requires another sizeable step up the ladder and David Egan jumps ship to ride Power Blue.

20/1

1st

1

(4)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Poatan

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: George Scott

Lightly raced 3yo whose best juvenile run came on good to soft ground in a Doncaster sales race (extended 6f); back in action with a strong-finishing but luckless third of eight in a Sandown Listed race (5f, good) but he made no serious impact in a York handicap since; today's test should suit better and he's far from exposed.

8/1

7th

2

(14)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Poatan

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: George Scott

2yo campaign concluded with good third in Doncaster sales race (6.5f, good to soft); just one start this year, when keeping on strongly for close Listed third at Sandown (5f, good) in June; this sharp 5f may not play to his strengths but he has a Group 1 entry and is one to be interested in.

10/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.35

Form: 131041 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Has 48 runs under his belt but amazingly is better than ever and was winning his third race of the year at Beverley (5f, soft) last week; on a career-high mark now but this course specialist made it 2-3 over C&D in May and further rain will make no difference; no ifs or buts and can put up a good show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(4)

26th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:10 Haydock

Trilby

9st 5lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Three more wins this year (including C&D on soft) and last Saturday's sixth of 23 in the Silver Cup at Ayr was another creditable effort (second of 12 in his group); the fact he's finished in the first three (including four wins) on eight of his ten visits to Haydock makes him a must for the shortlist.

5/1

6th

12

(23)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Trilby

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Sam England

Respectable but unavailing effort in the Bronze Cup two years ago; in marvellous form this year, adding three wins at 5f (soft and good to soft), but he couldn't pull off another one at Haydock recently off a career-high mark; has more to do back at 6f.

12/1

2nd

6

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Trilby

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has 48 runs under his belt but amazingly is better than ever and was winning his third race of the year at Beverley (5f, soft) last week; on a career-high mark now but this course specialist made it 2-3 over C&D in May and further rain will make no difference; no ifs or buts and can put up a good show.

7/2

6/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 14-842 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Four 5f handicap wins as 2yo, three on turf (good and good to firm); has improved with each of her three runs this year and was only just held by a well-treated Haggas rival in four-runner race at Yarmouth (5f, good to soft) last week; might not want it much softer but she runs off the same mark today; can't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(12)

26th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:10 Haydock

Elara May

8st 12lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Philip McBride

Four 5f handicap wins as 2yo, three on turf (good and good to firm); creditable efforts in defeat of late, including third (Trilby neck ahead in second) over C&D (soft) three weeks ago; ought to be competitive off the same mark.

9/1

3rd

9

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Elara May

8st 11lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Philip McBride

Four 5f handicap wins as 2yo, three on turf (good and good to firm); has improved with each of her three runs this year and was only just held by a well-treated Haggas rival in four-runner race at Yarmouth (5f, good to soft) last week; might not want it much softer but she runs off the same mark today; can't rule out.

6/1

8

(5)

30th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:55 Yarmouth

Elara May

9st 3lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Philip McBride

Won four nurseries (one over C&D) last year and bettered inauspicious reappearance run when keeping on for respectable fourth at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) nine days ago; needs another step forward today, though, and the forecast rain may not be in her favour.

12/1

11/2

Form: 7-7334 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Losing run continued when fifth of 11 over C&D (heavy; favourite) yesterday, beaten just under 2l; however, one of two handicap wins came over C&D (good; acts well on soft) and he has finished second and third in the last two runnings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(6)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:58 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: David & Nicola Barron

C&D winner; losing run stretches back over two years but he retains plenty of ability and has been performing with credit this summer; likely to be in the shake-up.

11/2

9th

15

(15)

13th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

13:25 Doncaster

Jer Batt

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

No win since August 2024; ran well for minor honours on his first three (of four) visits to Doncaster, a close third in this race last year; 8lb lower today but he's not been disgraced this year (repeatedly short of room last time) and makes each-way appeal.

9/1

4th

10

(10)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Jer Batt

8st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: David & Nicola Barron

Losing run continued when fifth of 11 over C&D (heavy; favourite) yesterday, beaten just under 2l; however, one of two handicap wins came over C&D (good; acts well on soft) and he has finished second and third in the last two runnings.

11/2

Form: 404314 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Multiple sprint wins on ground ranging from good to heavy; back to best when making all at Sandown in June and he might have needed the run there last week following a break; now goes in cheekpieces which raises a question as blinkers weren't a successful addition in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(9)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:37 Haydock

Marching Mac

9st 3lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Phil McEntee

Only fifth of nine over C&D (soft) last month but went off too hard in first-time cheekpieces (retained); completed a hat-trick on soft/heavy ground last autumn and he was also on the scoresheet at Sandown (5f, good) this June; all those wins came under Grace McEntee who is back on board today.

14/1

5th

8

(3)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Marching Mac

8st 12lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Phil McEntee

Multiple sprint wins on ground ranging from good to heavy; back to best when making all at Sandown in June and he might have needed the run there last week following a break; now goes in cheekpieces which raises a question as blinkers weren't a successful addition in the past.

8/1

Form: 4-2902

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten at 6f and 7f on AW; 0-7 on turf but he came close to putting that right at Hamilton (good to soft) 15 days ago, keeping on well on that stiff finish when returned to 5f for the first time since his debut; solid form and respected back up 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

16

(6)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Advertised

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

2-2 on AW, at 6f and 7f; equally effective on turf despite never having won on it but he failed to repeat a good second to Eternal Sunshine at Hamilton (5f) when well held on soft at Haydock latest; work to do.

20/1

6th

4

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Advertised

9st 7lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Unbeaten at 6f and 7f on AW; 0-7 on turf but he came close to putting that right at Hamilton (good to soft) 15 days ago, keeping on well on that stiff finish when returned to 5f for the first time since his debut; solid form and respected back up 2lb.

6/1

2nd

2

(9)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Advertised

9st 13lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Progressive as 2yo and started this year with a good 6f handicap run at Newmarket in April (good); lost his chance at the start next time but the York run last time is harder to forgive; fair mark if he could rediscover his best form.

14/1

20/1

Form: 8-1600 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
6f maiden winner on good to soft as 2yo; successful comeback at Sandown (5f, good) in April but his star has waned slightly and he found little at York 17 days ago (first-time tongue-tie, retained); has a query now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(8)

26th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

Black Star Boy

9st 10lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

Won 6f maiden on good to soft as 2yo and a 5f handicap at Sandown on reappearance; has had some difficult tasks at that trip since but he didn't fare too well in a less competitive race than this here (soft) last time and has it to prove back over 6f.

20/1

7th

5

(1)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Black Star Boy

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

6f maiden winner on good to soft as 2yo; successful comeback at Sandown (5f, good) in April but his star has waned slightly and he found little at York 17 days ago (first-time tongue-tie, retained); has a query now.

20/1

12th

7

(1)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Black Star Boy

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Won on reappearance at Sandown (5f, good) in April and denied a clear run when Listed sixth over this C&D (good) next time; soundly beaten in Royal Ascot handicap latest but, with the Sandown form having been strongly franked by the placed horses, he's not written off; a tongue-tie goes on.

20/1

16/1

Form: -52940 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Had a good spell over 5f for this yard last autumn, winning three times on AW and turf (good to soft); he's found it harder since and although there isn't much between him and Toyotomi on 6f form at Goodwood in June he was beaten a bit too far for reassurance at Hamilton recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(9)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Sturlasson

9st 1lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: John Ryan

Had a good spell over 5f for this yard last autumn, winning three times on AW and turf (good to soft); he's found it harder since and although there isn't much between him and Toyotomi on 6f form at Goodwood in June he was beaten a bit too far for reassurance at Hamilton recently.

16/1

10th

4

(10)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Sturlasson

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: John Ryan

Won three times last autumn (5f, AW/good to soft) and has run some solid races in defeat this year, including at Goodwood (soft) latest 75 days ago; a positive jockey booking and the recent rain was welcomed.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 131510 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Well below best at Hamilton latest (connections thought the ground was quicker than the official good) but he had been an up and comer for the yard previously, winning first two starts over 5f (AW and good to soft), then the Dash at Epsom (also good to soft) in June; 6lb higher than the latter win but these conditions are ideal and has more to come; yard has won two of the last three runnings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(2)

21st Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

15:22 Hamilton

Arklow Lad

9st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

Won on soft in Ireland and two good 5f wins for this yard, at Pontefract and in the Dash at Epsom, were on good to soft; he checked out quickly over this C&D two starts ago and fared no better at Haydock since but can't give up on him down in grade; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

3/1

9th

3

(7)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Arklow Lad

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Appleby

Well below best at Hamilton latest (connections thought the ground was quicker than the official good) but he had been an up and comer for the yard previously, winning first two starts over 5f (AW and good to soft), then the Dash at Epsom (also good to soft) in June; 6lb higher than the latter win but these conditions are ideal and has more to come; yard has won two of the last three runnings.

6/1

11th

3

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Arklow Lad

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Made it 3-5 since joining Mick Appleby when seeing off 19 rivals in the Epsom Dash (5f, good to soft) eight weeks ago; had the advantage of racing against the near rail but most of his 6lb rise is offset by the promising Conor Whiteley's claim.

11/2

Non-runners

Toyotomi

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.80
Straight Forecast £27.25
Tricast £255.78
Trifecta £233.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Trilby

TOPSPEED:

Elara May

SPOTLIGHT:

Arklow Lad

Daily Mail:

Marching Mac

Daily Mirror:

Toyotomi

The Sun:

Jer Batt

NEWMARKET:

Elara May

The Times:

Elara May

POSTDATA:

Trilby

Telegraph:

Trilby

The Guardian:

Trilby

D Express:

Trilby

The Star:

Trilby

Daily Record:

Trilby