May 25 / 16.00 Haydock

16.00

Good To Firm

Sandbach Handicap

  • Prize money: £6542.5
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Sandbach Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 02-160 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Campaigned over 6f this term and has gone backwards since AW reappearance win; may be back in better form today, as he's 1-1 over C&D (success off just 2lb lower last July).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(12)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:30 Ascot

Swayze

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Impressive at Haydock (5f, good to firm) in May but hasn't repeated the form, fifth of 13 in a Racing League event at Newcastle nine days ago; a few others appeal more.

14/1

5th

11

(13)

31st Aug 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

Swayze

8st 8lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

in touch with leaders

16/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 1-2234 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Scored three times in 2022; consistent in defeat this term, most recently fourth at Beverley; getting little help from the assessor but solid on recent evidence and again has frame possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(3)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Carlisle

Dandy Dinmont

9st 8lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

He's inconsistent but he was back on song when winning at Beverley (5f, good to firm) this month; he's just 2lb higher today and is a leading player if backing up that latest performance.

11/4

1st

8

(4)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Dandy Dinmont

9st 1lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Modest strike-rate since 2022 and his form thus far this term hasn't continued the broad consistency he showed in 2025; no certainty to take advantage of a reduced mark.

14/1

7th

7

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Haydock

Dandy Dinmont

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Nigel Tinkler

Conditions shouldn't be an excuse and he didn't run badly at Bath (5f, good) three weeks ago after a short break; Tom Marquand a notable booking; each-way shout.

9/2

Form: 5221/2 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Raced only on soft going; missed last term; promising comeback at Ripon (5f) two weeks ago, taking overall form figures to 52212; fast ground presents a question mark but otherwise open to further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

(14)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Manila Scouse

8st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

His last win came over C&D last July (good; off 1lb higher) and he stayed on for a close third at Hamilton (5f, good) a fortnight ago; could build on that latest performance now back up in trip; firmly in calculations.

10/1

3rd

10

(12)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Manila Scouse

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

May have needed his recent comeback from six months off at his age (cracked late on having raced prominently from a low stall over 6f round Chester); 2lb below his last successful mark and has won here before but David Allan has opted for Vince L'Amour.

12/1

7th

12

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Manila Scouse

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

On a competitive mark with a handy inside draw but he is returning from a seven month absence and his connections are also represented by Miraculous.

8/1

Form: 43-402 CD

Last run: 2 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Most wins on AW; ran well back in that sphere at Wolverhampton on Tuesday; back up in class but has a respectable C&D record that includes sole turf success and a third-place finish in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(4)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Street Life

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Won twice on AW this winter, including C&D, and he is now 2lb lower than for the second win; has gone quiet more recently though and could prove vulnerable for win purposes once again.

12/1

6th

7

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran who was recording the 14th win of his career when scoring off this mark over C&D in January; short of his best on his last four starts but the ability is there if his new rider can coax it out of him.

16/1

11th

10

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Five-time course winner but finished behind Irish Dancer and Woodhay Whisper here last time, with no obvious excuses.

14/1

Form: 65-891 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Campaigned on Tapeta at Southwell this term, winning Class 6 contest most recently; back up two grades but he scored off this mark in York Class 4 last July; likely player if still capable of that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 4f 217y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield

Birkenhead

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Paul Midgley

Into the veteran stage but he retains plenty of dash, setting a good pace at Catterick 17 days ago before weakening into third (Tuscan Point second but 8lb worse off today); likely to make a beeline for the stands' rail and more minor money could be on the cards.

5/1

3rd

3

(6)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:52 Catterick

Birkenhead

9st 13lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Paul Midgley

The old man of the party but he still likes to get on with it and has a good record here; solid comeback second on AW in January wasn't built on but he's back down to the same mark he won this race from last year; that was a fourth C&D win and he has to enter calculations.

8/1

11th

5

(4)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Birkenhead

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Front-runner; ended 2025 campaign with a C&D second and filled the same position on his return in January, again over C&D; backward step last time but capable of a prominent showing off this mark.

10/1

OUR TIP

7/2

Form: 80-243 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Sole win came on heavy going; campaigned on soft this season, most recently third at Nottingham; however, has a consistent record on fast ground and should go well again; form figures over C&D read 223.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 16y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

So Smart

8st 10lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Grace Harris

Yet to build upon his pleasing seasonal debut in April, but didn't run badly when third of six over C&D (good to soft) eight days ago; 1lb lower now and Ashley Lewis claims his useful 5lb; considered.

4/1

3rd

6

(2)

21st May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 16y

Class 4

18:05 Chepstow

So Smart

8st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Grace Harris

C&D (good to soft) winner in August 2024 who won at Lingfield (good to firm) and Ffos Las (again 5f, good) last year; couldn't repeat his win in that Lingfield event 12 days ago and this looks a warmer race than the ones he regularly contests; still not dismissed.

7/1

5th

5

(4)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 4f 217y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield

So Smart

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Grace Harris

Turned in an excellent effort when winning the corresponding race from stall 1 (14 ran) last May, flying out of the stalls and able to get to the stands' rail after one furlong; also won at Ffos Las in July and both victories were achieved off a higher mark than today's; not at best last time but his reappearance had been encouraging; should make a bold bid.

6/1

13/2

Form: 126-98 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Below best in two runs this season (slowly away latest); however, could revive in new headgear and he's nicely treated having slipped back to same mark as for York win (5f, good) last September.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(8)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Catch Cunningham

8st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael Herrington

C&D scorer but his recent form is far from encouraging, beating only two in 5f Southwell handicap 17 days ago; hood goes back on; work to do.

14/1

7th

1

(2)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Catch Cunningham

9st 9lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Possibly needed latest run (when back from a break); losing sequence is mounting up but this drop in class may do the trick; interesting at this level off 11lb below last winning mark.

13/2

14

(3)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Catch Cunningham

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Needs things to fall just right for him but he is on a lowly mark and some of this summer's form gives him leading claims; wouldn't judge him too harshly on latest Leicester run and he holds each-way claims again.

10/1

Form: 2407-3 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Sole handicap success for Clive Cox came off 3lb higher last June; made an encouraging debut for new stable at Ascot (5f, good) three weeks ago, finishing third; great chance if building on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(6)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Rum Cocktail

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

Placed in her first two starts for this yard before bolting up in a Class 4 handicap at Yarmouth in June (5f, good to firm); she's come up well short in two Listed events since, though, and is likely to do so again here.

40/1

12th

4

(13)

22nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 1

14:50 Ayr

Rum Cocktail

9st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

4yo who posted a career best when easily winning Yarmouth handicap (5f, good to firm) in June, but she's since been soundly beaten in a Listed race at York (5f, good to soft); others are preferred.

33/1

7th

10

(6)

15th Jul 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:35 York

Rum Cocktail

8st 10lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

slightly awkward start, soon recovered and in touch with leaders in centre of group

25/1

Non-runners

Rum Cocktail

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.90
Straight Forecast £12.37
Tricast £50.36
Trifecta £67.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

So Smart

The Times:

Rum Cocktail

Daily Mail:

Manila Scouse

SPOTLIGHT:

Birkenhead

Telegraph:

Rum Cocktail

The Sun:

Rum Cocktail

The Star:

Manila Scouse

Daily Record:

Manila Scouse

TOPSPEED:

So Smart

POSTDATA:

So Smart

The Guardian:

So Smart

D Express:

So Smart

Daily Mirror:

So Smart

THE NORTH:

Birkenhead