September 09 / 14.25 Haydock

14.25

Good

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  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 6f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
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Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 3221

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Narrowly beaten by subsequent Melrose winner Middle Earth in Newmarket novice in July (1m4f, good to soft) and easily won Kempton novice (1m4f, AW) last time; has also run well on good ground; this Nathaniel half-brother to Group 1 winners Baaeed and Hukum could play a leading role on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Naqeeb

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Performed well twice over C&D last term but had the run of the race when belying his 33-1 odds for neck success at Listed level in September (good to soft) and looks no certainty to defy a 3lb penalty back here, unless things again fall his way.

12/1

5th

3

(1)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Naqeeb

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Has raced as far as 2m1f in 2024 and never shorter than 1m2f; third at last year's Royal Ascot came over 1m4f but he broke a losing sequence when diverted from top handicaps to a 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood last September; the prospect of 1m now doesn't seem so ridiculous but a career best is needed.

16/1

1st

4

(4)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Naqeeb

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

On a two-year losing spell and is 0-6 for current yard; still capable of very useful form, having been placed in handicaps at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood this summer; however, this seems a harder task.

16/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 9-1212 BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Two wins (11.4f/1m4f) in June from his first three handicaps and runner-up at Ffos Las (1m4f) a fortnight ago when back from a break; 3lb wrong at the weights here and further improvement is needed, but he appeared to idle in front last time and could have plenty more left in the tank.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

16

(4)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Blindedbythelights

8st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Versatile tactically; his only two wins were in 2023 but this highly reliable handicapper has been runner-up in six of his seven races since, including in useful company and also over 2m when he wore cheekpieces on last three occasions (hung right and lost out to a rallying rival last time); now tries blinkers and has each-way claims from low draw.

11/2

2nd

7

(7)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Blindedbythelights

9st 5lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Versatile tactically; off since last July but short-headed last May after a longer absence and he was also runner-up on his two other starts last term, taking his handicap record to 121224222; upped to 2m with cheekpieces enlisted for last two outings, one of which was on Chelmsford Polytrack; edging up the weights but should go well again.

3/1

2nd

1

(2)

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

15:00 Ascot

Blindedbythelights

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Sound efforts at Newmarket (1m6f) and Chelmsford (2m, AW) this season, taking handicap record to 12122422; the cheekpieces worn last time are retained; up another 2lb but again looks a solid contender.

3/1

5/2

Form: 12-52

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in the Ballysax on reappearance but had a break and got back on track when second in first-time blinkers (retained) in the Melrose Handicap (1m6f, good to firm) at York recently; that's strong form and this unexposed colt could have more to offer for top Irish yard; key player up 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(7)

16th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Denmark

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: A P O’Brien

Ran well on very soft ground in France on second 2yo start; best form when placed with blinkers in 1m6f handicaps at York and Haydock on last two starts, in the former giving the winner Middle Earth 4lb (so is rated narrowly higher on that result) but in the latter proving harder to settle and repeatedly hanging left; work to do.

50/1

3rd

1

(7)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Denmark

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: A P O’Brien

Soundly beaten in the Ballysax on reappearance but had a break and got back on track when second in first-time blinkers (retained) in the Melrose Handicap (1m6f, good to firm) at York recently; that's strong form and this unexposed colt could have more to offer for top Irish yard; key player up 5lb.

5/2

Form: 113092

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two-time AW novice winner who returned to form when second at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) recently; this is tougher but he hung last time so could be better suited by this flat track, and his pedigree provides hope he'll improve for the step up in trip; no surprise to see another good run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(11)

18th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

French Invasion

9st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Charlie Johnston

in touch with leaders early, led after 2f, headed and prominent after 4f

16/1

8th

7

(2)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:30 York

French Invasion

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Charlie Johnston

Couple of AW novice wins early in year; has shown he's effective on turf with creditable efforts at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) and Haydock (1m6f, good) the last twice; could go well again.

8/1

4th

7

(2)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

French Invasion

8st 3lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Two-time AW novice winner who returned to form when second at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) recently; this is tougher but he hung last time so could be better suited by this flat track, and his pedigree provides hope he'll improve for the step up in trip; no surprise to see another good run.

14/1

Form: 221114 CD BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row (1m4f/1m6f, good to firm; including C&D) before beaten 5l when fourth in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm), when about 3l behind runner-up Denmark; however, that was still a solid run in a hot race and he's 4lb better off with Denmark here; can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(4)

13th Oct 2023

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:40 York

Lordship

9st 6lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Runner-up on good to soft in May; won three in a row (1m4f/1m6f, good to firm) before good fourth in the Melrose over C&D (good to firm) in August; also ran well, staying on, at Haydock on latest outing and looks a major each-way player but he needs to resume his improvement to win.

8/1

5th

4

(5)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Lordship

9st 2lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Won three in a row (1m4f/1m6f, good to firm; including C&D) before beaten 5l when fourth in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm), when about 3l behind runner-up Denmark; however, that was still a solid run in a hot race and he's 4lb better off with Denmark here; can give another good account.

5/1

4th

4

(2)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Lordship

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Off the mark in Chepstow novice (1m4f, good to firm) in June and won two handicaps (1m6f, good to firm) to complete a hat-trick; hit with a 9lb rise since Haydock last time but he's highly progressive and his trainer (who saddles two in this) has won two of the last four runnings; key player.

4/1

Form: -61119

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who got off the mark in Thirsk novice (1m4f, good) in May and won handicaps the next twice (1m4f, soft/good); however, he finished down the field in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) last time and it's hard to make a case on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

(9)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 40y

16:50 Listowel

Edge Of Darkness

8st 7lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Daniel John Howard

Four-time winner over 1m4f back in the day in Britain; nothing like that sort of form for current yard, mark rapidly descending of late but 5lb outside the handicap here; declared reserve in 7.25 at Down Royal on Friday.

25/1

10th

12

(9)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

20:20 Roscommon

Edge Of Darkness

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Daniel John Howard

Four-time winner over this trip back in the day in Britain; Irish form is moderate in both codes, second in claimer here in 2024; a tad better when beaten 6l (led) at Navan latest and Keane rides.

16/1

OUR TIP

8/1

Form: 2-1010

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Good-ground maiden winner who landed a six-runner handicap at Newmarket (1m4f, good to soft) in July; he was slowly away and failed to settle when well beaten in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago, and is better than that, but it's hard to be confident in his claims today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(1)

22nd May 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Davideo

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Dual Newmarket winner, a 1m2f maiden and 1m4f handicap (off 3lb lower); has been a bit all or nothing but returns as a 4yo now gelded and remains in his top yard; ran well on his previous AW start; dangerous.

5/2

1st

1

(1)

22nd May 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Davideo

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Dual Newmarket winner, a 1m2f maiden and 1m4f handicap (off 3lb lower); has been a bit all or nothing but returns as a 4yo now gelded and remains in his top yard; ran well on his previous AW start; dangerous.

5/2

7th

5

(12)

13th Oct 2023

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Newmarket

Davideo

9st 4lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

raced wide early, midfield, niggled along 7f out, brief headway over 3f out, soon weakened

25/1

Non-runners

The Goat

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.60
Straight Forecast £20.13
Tricast £45.05
Trifecta £51.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Denmark

SPOTLIGHT:

Naqeeb

RP RATINGS:

Lordship

TOPSPEED:

French Invasion

The Times:

Denmark

Daily Mirror:

Denmark

The Sun:

Denmark

The Star:

Denmark

Daily Record:

Denmark

NEWMARKET:

Naqeeb

Telegraph:

Naqeeb

Daily Mail:

Naqeeb

D Express:

Naqeeb

The Guardian:

Lordship