April 29 / 16.20 Haydock

16.20

Good

Lathom Handicap

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 0m 7f 212y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Lathom Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 0231-1 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won Brighton novice (1m, soft) last October and followed up on handicap debut at Nottingham (1m, soft) this month; has to be in calculations after that win; has run well on good to soft, unproven on faster.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(9)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ripon

Racingbreaks Ryder

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charles Hills

Failed to settle and proved disappointing last time when bidding for AW hat-trick; effective in this sphere and may rebound, especially if the ground is optimal; has gained most turf wins on soft.

10/1

8th

1

(1)

19th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Racingbreaks Ryder

10st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Back to something approaching his best this summer, winning handicaps at Newcastle (1m) and here (7f) on his last two starts; well drawn to attack but a 5lb penalty could scupper his hat-trick bid.

7/2

1st

5

(11)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Racingbreaks Ryder

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Added to his five turf wins when making all to beat 13 rivals at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) in June; 5lb higher from wide draw here but he still looks on a workable mark and is lightly raced on AW; respected back in trip.

100/30

7/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 5241- D

Last run: 238 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Displayed promise on turf last year on first three starts and improved to win when upped in trip on nursery debut at Kempton (1m, AW) in September; gelded since; open to further improvement and respected up 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

(15)

24th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 100y

19:02 Tipperary

Acotango

9st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: Gerard O’Leary

held up in rear, no impression from over 2f out

28/1

13th

7

(15)

24th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 100y

19:02 Tipperary

Acotango

9st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: Gerard O’Leary

held up in rear

28/1

5th

4

(7)

15th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Acotango

9st 7lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Gerard O’Leary

towards rear, headway inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, never on terms

6/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1-4

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won at Thirsk (7f, soft) last September on sole 2yo start; only fourth of five in 1m AW conditions race on recent reappearance but it wasn't a bad run and this well-bred sort retains potential for his good yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(6)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Royal Rhyme

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Hindered by major traffic issues when behind two of today's rivals at Royal Ascot last time; losing run is mounting up but he's 1-1 over C&D, namely a win in the 2024 Brigadier Gerard Stakes; interesting back here.

6/1

14th

14

(11)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Royal Rhyme

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Did well initially in his career, including when beating three rivals in the 2024 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1m2f, soft); 0-9 since, albeit twice placed at the highest level; pulled too hard when beaten about 6l into sixth of 12 on return in a Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, soft) in April; never featured at Chester in a Group 2 on good since; good to firm ground is a worry.

16/1

10/1

Form: 23-356

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won four times on turf last year (6f-7.4f) and returned from break with close third of four in February (8.6f, AW); unplaced on AW the next twice, however, and could be vulnerable off top weight now back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(6)

10th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:30 Chepstow

Coco Jack

9st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

All four wins were last summer, beaten nine times this season but there has been the occasional good run and he's becoming well handicapped; goes on good to soft but anything softer would be a worry; gets new blinkers.

10/1

9th

5

(6)

21st Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:30 Newmarket (July)

Coco Jack

9st 8lb

J: Levi Bedford

T: George Scott

Four-time winner but now exposed and had no excuses from a good position when fifth here last week (1m, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces); best form is at shorter.

14/1

Form: 5135-

Last run: 238 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Fair third of six in Listed race at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) last August and good to soft ground may not have suited on nursery debut at Ascot (7f) in September; he's unexposed but is not obviously well treated off his current mark and needs to be better than ever on this reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(2)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

18:41 Windsor

Signcastle City

9st 4lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

A suspicion that 7f might suit him best but after starting slowly he did keep on over 1m at Newbury last time, albeit some 9l off the winner; the handicapper knows all about him.

13/2

4th

9

(8)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:27 Newbury

Signcastle City

9st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Holds his form well and wasn't beaten far into fifth of 13 here (7f, good to firm) 16 days ago (Nakaaha 3l behind in sixth); has won twice over this trip, but a suspicion that 7f suits him best.

10/1

5th

1

(13)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newbury

Signcastle City

10st 2lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Holds his form well despite a busy schedule and appeared to appreciate the drop in trip when beaten half a length into second of 22 at York (7f, good) last time; up 2lb but this is a slightly weaker race; respected.

7/1

Form: 4314- BF

Last run: 224 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won Newcastle novice (7f, AW) last August on his third start and solid fourth on nursery debut at Ayr in September (1m, good; Pol Roger second); gelded since and he's open to improvement this year for his good Newmarket yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

28th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Animate

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Geoffrey Harker

Won a 6f Catterick handicap in June 2024 (good to soft); best run this time when beaten a nose at Ripon in June (6f, good); poor efforts either side of that; not easy to predict.

16/1

13

(4)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Animate

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Geoffrey Harker

Missed out by a nose at Ripon last month (6f, good); 3lb higher in a stronger race but he has been rated much higher in the past; couldn't dismiss.

10/1

2nd

9

(11)

4th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:52 Ripon

Animate

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Now 4lb lower than for his Catterick success 12 months ago; made a promising return at that track in April before plenty went wrong back there two weeks later; cheekpieces back on today; betting can help.

10/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 1120-5 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Down the field at York last October on nursery debut and soundly beaten fifth of nine on reappearance at Musselburgh; however, he may have needed that last run and a case can be made on his best 2yo efforts; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(3)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Pol Roger

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Added to a good Ayr record when seeing off 12 rivals over 1m2f (good) 26 days ago; a 6lb rise demands more of him (yet to win above a mark of 70) but he'll handle today's ground and has a more solid recent profile than most.

11/2

1st

5

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Ayr

Pol Roger

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Dual C&D winner in 2024; run down late in refitted cheekpieces at Pontefract (1m2f) in June, and finished third (one place behind Mr Lincoln) over C&D next time; fast ground a plausible excuse for a lesser effort latest; runner-up in this last year.

16/1

4th

2

(5)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Ayr

Pol Roger

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Yet to add to his two C&D wins in spring 2024 but got back in the groove with two placed runs last month, the latter in Class 4 C&D contest; ought to pose a potent threat at this lower level.

7/2

9/2

Form: 215- CD

Last run: 182 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Made all in good style over C&D (good to soft) last September on her second start and respectable fifth in Listed fillies' race at Newmarket (1m, soft) in October; has potential off this mark on her handicap and seasonal debut and she's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

4th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Hamilton

Conservationist

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Just one win (1m) from 13 attempts and unplaced all five starts this year; however, her mark is falling and she wasn't disgraced when a never-nearer fourth over 5f at Goodwood (soft) 11 days ago; today's trip might be ideal; could have a say.

7/1

4th

8

(2)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

Conservationist

8st 9lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Kevin Ryan

Won a 1m novice as 2yo but hasn't lacked for pace over 6f for this yard in 2024, albeit her challenge came to little when dropped to 5f at Ascot in July; out of the weights and likely other days.

14/1

16th

19

(8)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:45 Ascot

Conservationist

8st 2lb

J: Jimmy Quinn

T: Kevin Ryan

1m winner for Clive Cox; campaigned over shorter for new yard and she showed lots of pace at York four weeks ago (6f, good to soft) before tiring in the final furlong; worth a crack at 5f on that evidence but not entirely solid.

50/1

Form: 37-1

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Having been gelded he left last autumn's first two runs (turf) behind to win a 1m AW novice; his half-brother Outgate was highly progressive for this yard (won here) and he could prove to be better than his opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(17)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Deceiver

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Won 7f Kempton novice in March 2023; two fair AW runs in October 2023; below form since, including back on turf last time.

16/1

12th

5

(17)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Deceiver

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Won 7f Kempton novice in March 2023; two fair AW runs in October 2023; below form since, including back on turf last time.

16/1

6th

6

(3)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

16:05 Nottingham

Deceiver

9st 4lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Good efforts on AW in the last three of his four handicaps, most recently when fifth of 14 at Chelmsford (1m; 7-2 favourite) on his return in March; should benefit from that run but he's now 1-7 and still has something to prove on turf; mixed messages.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £45.50
Straight Forecast £61.66
Tricast £239.12
Trifecta £240.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Deceiver

RP Ratings:

Conservationist

LAMBOURN:

Racingbreaks Ryder

NEWMARKET:

Animate

TOPSPEED:

Coco Jack

Daily Record:

Acotango

The Times:

Royal Rhyme

Telegraph:

Deceiver

The Star:

Deceiver

Daily Mail:

Conservationist

Daily Mirror:

Conservationist

The Guardian:

Racingbreaks Ryder

D Express:

Racingbreaks Ryder

The Sun:

Animate

POSTDATA:

Coco Jack