May 27 / 14.25 Haydock

14.25

Good To Firm

Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 0f 37y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
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Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 211

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has worn a hood on all three starts; went close on debut at Southwell (7f, AW) in April and won in fine style the next twice (7f, good to soft/AW); in a tough race on handicap debut but is in top hands and could prove to be better than his opening mark, provided the absence of the hood isn't an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(11)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Covey

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: John & Thady Gosden

Notably progressive in the spring, having plenty in hand when making all in the competitive Silver Bowl Handicap at Haydock (1m, good to firm) to complete a hat-trick; however, he came unstuck in the Group 3 Jersey at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm; 11-4 favourite) the following month; retains potential but needs a big step forward against some high-class older opposition here.

20/1

9th

5

(11)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Covey

9st 3lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

Impressed in 7f maiden/novice races (good to soft/AW) in the first part of spring and again had plenty in hand when making all in the competitive Silver Bowl Handicap at Haydock (1m, good to firm) last time; displayed obvious Group-race potential at Haydock and he has strong claims for his top yard.

2/1

1st

5

(4)

27th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 37y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Covey

8st 11lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

Has worn a hood on all three starts; went close on debut at Southwell (7f, AW) in April and won in fine style the next twice (7f, good to soft/AW); in a tough race on handicap debut but is in top hands and could prove to be better than his opening mark, provided the absence of the hood isn't an issue.

5/2

11/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 9-21 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Went very close at Kempton (1m, AW) last month on his second start then bolted up in Windsor novice (1m, soft) on turf debut; tackles very different ground in this first handicap but his pedigree provides optimism he'll handle it, and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

27

(2)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Royal Cape

8st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Not many win novices by 10l but that was the case with him at Windsor last month (1m, soft) and the horse who beat him on his handicap debut at Haydock (1m, good to firm) is favourite for Saturday's Group 3 Jersey Stakes; should have finished closer that day and he's just the type his trainer improves with experience; player.

18/1

2nd

8

(5)

27th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 37y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Royal Cape

8st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Hughie Morrison

Went very close at Kempton (1m, AW) last month on his second start then bolted up in Windsor novice (1m, soft) on turf debut; tackles very different ground in this first handicap but his pedigree provides optimism he'll handle it, and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie; respected.

11/2

1st

8

(3)

1st May 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

14:44 Windsor

Royal Cape

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hughie Morrison

Confirmed the promise of his sole 2yo run when missing out narrowly in a 1m maiden at Kempton last month (well backed); open to further progress and there is encouragement for slow ground on pedigree; leading claims.

10/11

16/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 115-73 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won Chelmsford novice (7f, AW) and Ayr nursery (1m, good) last season, and he was a solid third of seven at Newmarket (1m, soft) three weeks ago on his second run of this season; further improvement can't be ruled out but it's needed against some progressive rivals in this warm race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(9)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Metal Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Brian Toomey

Showed notable handicap form in 2024 but has posted duck eggs in three runs since that campaign and needs to prove he retains ability; best watched on second run for new yard, unless the market suggests otherwise.

25/1

20th

19

(15)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Brian Toomey

Well treated on his 2024 form for Jack Channon and he won the Spring Mile at Newbury (1m, good to soft) on his reappearance that season; however, just two runs last term, finishing down the field in April/May, and he has plenty to prove making his stable debut after an absence; blinkers go on.

40/1

12th

10

(15)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Last three wins over 1m, most recently the 2024 Spring Cup; however, finished a close fourth in major C&D handicap last July and could go well with Haydock reappearance under his belt.

12/1

14/1

Form: 53-172 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won Kempton handicap (1m, AW) in March on reappearance and bounced back from soft-ground flop with good second at Newmarket (1m, good) last Saturday; he goes up in grade today but he hung right on the undulations last time and could still be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

7th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Salisbury

Just Bring It

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

prominent

11/4

1st

10

(14)

17th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 31y

Class 3

19:00 Windsor

Just Bring It

9st 2lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Clive Cox

Off the mark in a small-field handicap at Kempton in March; better form in 1m handicaps at Newmarket and Haydock in May but his form dipped back at Haydock in June latest; drawn widest.

10/1

9

(9)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 3

15:25 Ascot

Just Bring It

9st 4lb

J: John Fahy

T: Clive Cox

Made a winning return at Kempton (1m, AW) in March and two good efforts on turf in May, including when fourth of 11 in a warm handicap at Haydock (1m, good to firm); was behind Metal Merchant then, but may have been unlucky not to finish second; not so good back there a fortnight later (behind Good Gracious), but a player if bouncing back; stable won this in 2016 and 2019.

10/1

12/1

Form: 031-

Last run: 211 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Left last September's debut (7f, good) well behind when close third at Newmarket (7f, good to soft), and won there (7f, good to soft) last October when last seen; did it comfortably and brings potential to handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

21st Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 4

20:15 Haydock

Bodorgan

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Edward Bethell

Runner-up off a similar mark in this race for Charlie Hills last year; made a good start for new yard when third at Hamilton (1m1f) last month and he had another close call at Wetherby (1m2f, good to firm) 19 days ago; usually races prominently and another bold bid is expected.

3/1

1

(7)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Wetherby

Bodorgan

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice for Charles Hills, including 1m2f on fast ground, and he ran well on his stable/seasonal debut at Hamilton last month (1m1f, good to firm), beaten around half a length into third (strong favourite); has races in him off this sort of mark but he could face competition for the lead here.

9/4

1

(7)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Wetherby

Bodorgan

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice for Charles Hills, including 1m2f on fast ground, and he ran well on his stable/seasonal debut at Hamilton last month (1m1f, good to firm), beaten around half a length into third (strong favourite); has races in him off this sort of mark but he could face competition for the lead here.

9/4

Form: 324-11 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Has built upon his 2yo promise (6f/7f, including on good ground; unraced on faster) to win 1m handicaps on both starts this season (soft/good to soft), over C&D most recently; he's up 7lb for last time and in a better race today, but is clearly progressive and could go well if the ground suits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

James McHenry

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Course winner who was runner-up in the 2024 Cambridgeshire but has been lightly raced since; his keeping-on fifth of 12 over 1m1f at Musselburgh in April suggests most of that ability remains but he failed to build on it tackling 1m2f for the first time when fourth at Redcar (good to firm) four weeks ago; first-time cheekpieces worn at Redcar are retained.

13/2

4th

1

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 3

16:30 Redcar

James McHenry

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Runner-up in the Cambridgeshire (1m1f) in September 2024 and he's raced just four times since; denied clear run when keeping on for fifth of 12 at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) recently and the return to 1m2f is worth a go; could have a part to play in first-time cheekpieces.

13/2

5th

4

(6)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 3

17:15 Musselburgh

James McHenry

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Three wins at about 1m and finished runner-up in the 2024 Cambridgeshire, but lightly raced since; not beaten far into fourth of ten at Kempton (1m, AW) last time, but still 5lb above his last winning mark and doesn't look solid back from another short break; stable also runs Noche Clasica.

7/1

Form: 147-

Last run: 217 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Came up well short in 7f Group 3 races on final two runs last season but pulled hard on the first occasion and was on heavy ground when last seen; before those he impressed on his debut at Ascot (7f, good to firm) and he might be able to tap back into that promise on this first run since being gelded; he's a player if so.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(8)

17th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

Defence Of Fort

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Failed to go on after looking smart on his Ascot debut but he steadied the ship when hooded for the first time and edging home in a 1m2f handicap at Sandown (good to soft) in August; returns off a 4lb higher mark but now has to follow one good run with another.

10/1

11th

4

(8)

17th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

Defence Of Fort

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

never better than midfield

10/1

7/1

Form: -13121 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Made it four wins from his last six starts when scoring with something in hand at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) last month; 7lb higher in a better race and he's unproven on good/good to firm ground, but he has a progressive profile and could have more left in the tank.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

24th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 4

14:05 Beverley

Gincident

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: James Owen

Narrowly beat Individualism when winning over C&D off 2lb lower in June (good to firm); excuses for two lesser runs since (soft ground; too free); contender.

6/1

2

(9)

10th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 4

15:45 Haydock

Gincident

10st 1lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: James Owen

Soft ground provides an excuse for below-par effort last time; solid record (1333121) otherwise for current stable and gained the most recent success, at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm), in game fashion; remains of interest.

6/1

9th

8

(12)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 2

20:40 Yarmouth

Gincident

8st 11lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: James Owen

In very good form since being upped to 1m2f, which continued when he won at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) last month; it's a long time since he ran well on slow ground but he's in the mix if the surface isn't an issue.

13/2

Form: 5-4336

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Improved form this spring, with a front-running Listed third at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) before his sixth in the Group 2 Dante (1m2f, good to firm); in that hot race at York he was prominent for a long way before fading, and could on a good mark now back down in trip in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

Killybegs Warrior

9st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Placed twice in a row in Bahrain earlier this year and didn't run badly when fifth of seven at Windsor in June following a three-month break; could build on that latest run and continues to drop down the weights, but he's without a win since July 2023 and others are more compelling.

40/1

1

(3)

30th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Killybegs Warrior

10st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Well treated on old form but his last win was almost two years ago; two placed efforts in Bahrain (1m1f/1m2f) earlier this year but he returned to Britain with a heavy defeat at Kempton in March; now drops back in grade but he's hard to predict and comes with risks attached after a break.

16/1

11th

12

(12)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Killybegs Warrior

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Made most when second in this race last year off 11lb higher, the last of only three ventures on AW; that has to catch the eye and he also has a chance on turf form for Charlie Johnston as recent as September; fit from placed efforts in Bahrain for new yard this year and a case can be made.

16/1

Form: 218-56 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Considerable promise in 2yo campaign and could appreciate this return to a better surface having been soundly beaten in 1m2f soft-ground Listed races on his two starts this season (albeit hampered at Chester last time); however, he nevertheless has something to prove on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

6th Oct 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Ascot

Stormbuster

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Well-bred colt who won a notable conditions race at Newbury as a 2yo; has proved disappointing since, latterly in handicaps; chance depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

20/1

8th

7

(3)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Ayr

Stormbuster

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Well-bred 3yo who is in good hands and has dropped down the weights; however, he's struggled this season and needs to turn things around.

16/1

16/1

Form: 100-13 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won on debut here (6f, good to soft) last May and reappeared with handicap win at Newbury (7f, soft) last month; however, he was disappointing at Ascot (7f, soft) a fortnight ago and has to bounce back now in cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(10)

20th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:45 Leopardstown

Scholarship

8st 13lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Gerard O’Leary

midfield, keeping on when repeatedly short of room from over 1f out, ran on well and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

12/1

3

(5)

17th Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Scholarship

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gerard O’Leary

Only beaten half a length over C&D in June and bounced back from a lesser effort when runner-up over 1m4f at Listowel last month; drop back in trip on slower ground looks ideal and has to be high on the shortlist.

11/4

2nd

7

(3)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Scholarship

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gerard O’Leary

took keen hold, midfield, towards rear after 3f

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.10
Straight Forecast £11.96
Tricast £168.74
Trifecta £200.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Covey

LAMBOURN:

Bodorgan

SPOTLIGHT:

Defence Of Fort

TOPSPEED:

Just Bring It

The Guardian:

James McHenry

POSTDATA:

Killybegs Warrior

NEWMARKET:

Covey

Telegraph:

Covey

D Express:

Covey

Daily Mirror:

Covey

The Star:

Covey

Daily Record:

Covey

The Times:

Bodorgan

Daily Mail:

Defence Of Fort

The Sun:

Just Bring It