August 04 / 18.45 Haydock

18.45

Good

Sky Bet Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £10359.54
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 15 runners
ITV4
View Course
Sky Bet Club Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1st
11 (4)
Trilby

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 106664 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Successful on soft/heavy in April, including over C&D; did well to finish fourth at York (good to soft) most recently, having met trouble; interesting off the same mark, especially granted slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

19

(20)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Trilby

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Reacted well to first-time cheekpieces when picking up nicely to collar a back-to-form rival (pair clear) at Haydock (5f, soft) on Thursday; 5lb penalty in a deeper race but a bigger factor could be that the ground is unlikely to be as testing this time (has won on good but seems most potent when the mud is flying).

10/1

1st

5

(1)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:13 Haydock

Trilby

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Returned to form when second at Beverley (5f, good) last month; sixth of seven there since (5f, good to soft) but beaten less than 2l and he's a three-time winner here (6f/5f, good-heavy); could be bang there now back here in first-time cheekpieces.

9/4

6th

8

(3)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Trilby

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Last win came off a 6lb higher mark over C&D in April 2025 (good); runner-up in that equivalent race 11 days ago (good) and with rain about, could go well again.

7/2

OUR TIP

9/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 2-2145 CD

Last run: 107 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Scored over C&D last summer; absent since creditable fifth at Newbury in April; generally consistent but chance partly depends on how the ground is riding (suited by softer than good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:03 Kempton (AW)

Knebworth

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

2-2 this year, winning 6f handicaps at Chelmsford in January and at Wolverhampton three weeks ago; 6lb rise for latest success takes him to a career-high mark but he is well drawn and should give it another good go.

6/1

1st

5

(4)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

14:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Knebworth

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Richard Hughes

Running in this race for the third time, having finished second in 2024 and fourth last year; those runs were after a break but he has the benefit of a run this time around, winning a 6f handicap at Chelmsford five weeks ago; still on a feasible mark and he is a key player for a stable going well.

3/1

1st

5

(2)

29th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Knebworth

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

C&D winner who is 3lb lower than when last successful; second of nine at Lingfield (5f, AW) in September but he was below his best on turf on his next three outings; returns from a 97-day absence but he's of interest back on the AW.

4/1

3rd
13 (8)
Lihou

25/1

  • Place: £9.20

Form: 854726 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent since Goodwood win (5f) last August; close second at Salisbury (6f) on penultimate outing but failed to back up that effort last time; not sure what to expect from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

17th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lihou

9st 4lb

J: George Downing

T: David Evans

12-time winner split between turf and AW; his last success was off 3lb higher at Leicester (6f) last August and he showed signs of a revival with his late headway at Southwell (5f, Tapeta) last month; has each-way claims if he can build on that and yard is in good form.

16/1

3rd

1

(7)

24th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Lihou

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David Evans

Not won on AW for nearly two years and mainly below form since last win at Leicester in August; 2lb badly in and plenty to prove back in distance.

16/1

3rd

1

(7)

24th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Lihou

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David Evans

Not won on AW for nearly two years and mainly below form since last win at Leicester in August; 2lb badly in and plenty to prove back in distance.

16/1

14/1

Form: 636013 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Acts on any going; retains plenty of ability aged eight, having won at Ayr (6f) in June; finished third of six over the same C&D since; remains in form but now goes into a deeper field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(9)

25th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

16:55 Doncaster

Be Proud

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

towards rear, headway over 1f out, went modest third inside final furlong, no match for first two

16/1

9th

8

(10)

10th Oct 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Ayr

Be Proud

9st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Beat The Caltonian over C&D off this mark in June; in and out since but he won this race 12 months ago off a higher mark and he's one of the likelier types.

10/1

9th

2

(6)

1st Oct 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Ayr

Be Proud

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Up against it on the wrong side in the Silver Cup ten days ago but he'll be happier back in a Class 4 and now on the same mark as the latest of his three course wins (6f, good to firm) in June; one to be interested in.

13/2

Form: 4-1241 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Suited by the drop back to 6f in similar event at Thirsk (good to soft; hung left) last month on debut for another new yard, taking record to 2-5; looks open to further improvement; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(10)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Roberto Caro

9st 5lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Has started 2026 in very good nick, third of six in 6f Southwell handicap last month; not out of things eased 1lb.

6/1

3rd

4

(2)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Roberto Caro

9st 8lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Won a Racing League handicap off this mark last summer; three solid efforts this year, including a third at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) last month and a close fourth in big field at Ripon two weeks ago; remains lightly raced on AW and he's a key player back in this sphere.

11/4

4th

4

(10)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Ripon

Roberto Caro

9st 6lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Won a Racing League handicap off this mark last summer; two solid AW efforts this year, keeping on strongly for third in a well-contested 6f handicap at Newcastle three weeks ago; each-way shout.

9/1

20/1

Form: 3-0258 D

Last run: 145 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Mixed results on AW this year; absent since March; has gone well fresh, including when third off this mark in the 2023 Ayr Silver Cup; heed the market signals for further guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

9th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:20 Pontefract

Admiral D

10st 0lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Has a poor strike-rate since 2022 and isn't particularly solid on 2025 efforts; however, drops in grade off a reduced mark and can't be dismissed; very similar type to Illusionist.

11/1

9

(3)

26th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

17:10 Redcar

Admiral D

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

He's dropped to a dangerous mark and showed the odd hint of spark on occasions towards the end of last year; can go well fresh but he's been regressive and has a poor strike-rate over the last few years.

14/1

9

(3)

26th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

17:10 Redcar

Admiral D

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

He's dropped to a dangerous mark and showed the odd hint of spark on occasions towards the end of last year; can go well fresh but he's been regressive and has a poor strike-rate over the last few years.

14/1

8/1

Form: 069013 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Has shown career-best form over C&D (good/good to firm) the last twice, justifying favouritism in June then creditable third to Sergeant Pep; major contender off unaltered mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Grant Wood

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Paul Midgley

Almost as good as ever at the age of seven and went down narrowly at Ripon (6f, good) earlier this month; hard to knock but this is a warm race and he faces some unexposed rivals.

14/1

3rd

5

(7)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Grant Wood

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Began this year with two Newcastle wins (6f, Tapeta) but he was only eighth of ten there last month; has won over C&D but has a patchy profile and needs to step up again on this return to turf.

10/1

8th

8

(1)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Grant Wood

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Began the season with two C&D wins, the second an impressive one; only fourth at Wolverhampton last time but he was putting in good late work and that form has been well advertised since; another 4lb higher today but the return to Newcastle is in his favour.

5/1

Form: -06605 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Ran encouragingly at Yarmouth ten days ago; sole attempt over C&D (good to firm) resulted in a win off 6lb higher in May 2023; good chance, provided he takes well to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(5)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Spirit Of Applause

8st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Ended a 15-race losing run when scoring by a head over C&D last month; only midfield under his penalty at Nottingham (6f, good to soft) next time, but each-way claims back here.

6/1

7th

10

(1)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 2

15:35 Nottingham

Spirit Of Applause

8st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

First win for 11 months when leading towards the finish at Southwell (5f, AW) 11 days ago; carries a 5lb penalty and has yet to win back to back in his 43-race career.

10/1

13

(14)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Spirit Of Applause

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Did well on AW in late 2024, including a Newcastle win and two runner-up finishes over C&D; 0-12 in 2025 but has dropped a long way in the weights and returns to AW off a 13lb lower mark than when sixth in a C&D Class 4 in April; considered.

12/1

13/2

Form: -74301 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Best on good/softer; regained the winning thread in C&D contest (off 4lb lower) one month ago, leading in the final half-furlong and posting a career-best performance; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

15:12 Lingfield (AW)

Sergeant Pep

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Clive Cox

Twice a runner-up over 6f this winter, including here, but he raced too freely in one 7f run and he still has to prove he needs this far.

7/2

3rd

7

(10)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Sergeant Pep

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Clive Cox

He has finished second on his last two attempts at this trip, chasing home Hundred Caps at Southwell 17 days ago; 4lb better off with his old rival today; each-way claims.

8/1

2nd

5

(4)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Sergeant Pep

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Ran encouragingly at Lingfield (6f) on belated return to AW and the step up to 7f provides an excuse for subsequent effort; remains well treated on best turf form; possibilities.

13/2

10th
14 (7)
Al Shabab

33/1

Form: 3302-0

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Placed a few times over 7f last term for Andrew Balding; inauspicious reappearance (last of ten) at Ascot nine days ago; this 3yo maiden has enough to prove dropped back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(5)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Shabab

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

Currently 1-33 and the fact he's been beaten at 7-2 or shorter ten times tells its own story; will again be popular under Rossa Ryan after a solid second to Arlecchino's Rex in a C&D handicap a fortnight ago though.

5/2

Form: 605861 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
5-30 in Ireland for Eddie Lynam, most recently winning a Dundalk claimer (7f, AW); return to 6f is less of a concern than the tougher task; hasn't won a handicap since 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

(14)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Rough Diamond

8st 12lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: John G Carr

Smart handicapper back in the day for Eddie Lynam; wasn't able to add to his tally of five wins when moving to Britain; operating at a much lower level nowadays, but not showing much for present trainer.

33/1

11th

7

(13)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 61y

14:45 Sligo

Rough Diamond

9st 4lb

J: James Ryan

T: John G Carr

Smart handicapper back in the day for Eddie Lynam; wasn't able to add to his tally of five wins when moving to Britain; operating at much lower level nowadays, but not showing much for present trainer who tries blinkers here.

18/1

6th

9

(6)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

17:42 Dundalk (AW)

Rough Diamond

9st 9lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: John G Carr

C&D winner, five-time scorer in all; has struggled in three 7f runs since joining John Carr after a spell in Britain.

50/1

Form: 3-4362 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Record of just 1-19 overall and 0-7 for current stable; however, went close at York (5f, good to soft) most recently, finishing strongly; possibilities with the return to 6f looking ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(9)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Thankuappreciate

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Stable yet to get rolling for the year but he was a bright spot when springing a surprise over C&D off 3lb lower in February; not entirely convinced over 7f a couple of times since and holds each-way claims.

10/1

4th

7

(6)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Thankuappreciate

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

6f winner here on his penultimate start and he didn't fail through a lack of stamina when third at Chelmsford 13 days ago; he was well positioned in a race where nothing challenged from the rear there though and others appeal more for win purposes.

8/1

3rd

6

(3)

26th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Thankuappreciate

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Strong at the finish when winning a 6f handicap at Southwell two weeks ago; the subsequent 4lb rise looks less of a concern than the additional furlong.

8/1

11/2

Form: 8/94-1 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery prior to his career-best performance in C&D event (good; off 7lb lower) last month on seasonal debut, belatedly adding to his AW wins; did it tidily and still looks well treated; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Baba Reza

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Julie Camacho

Inconsistent this year but ran encouragingly over C&D returned to AW last time and has possibilities provided he builds on that effort; defied higher marks twice in this sphere in 2021.

8/1

3rd

8

(4)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Baba Reza

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Julie Camacho

Shaped with encouragement on his return to action at Chelmsford in May (6f); three disappointing turf runs have followed but he's slipped down the weights and drops into a Class 5 for the first time since his easy Haydock win last summer; not ruled out.

12/1

25/1

Form: 0-6900 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Recorded back-to-back wins off higher marks last September; however, has lost his way since and needs to stage a major revival; best watched unless the market speaks positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

19th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Call Me Ginger

9st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

towards rear

12/1

1

(9)

28th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Musselburgh

Call Me Ginger

9st 11lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

17lb lower than when winning at Ascot last September (5f, good to firm; completing a quick double) having been badly out of form since; usually ridden by Amie Waugh; down to Class 5 in a handicap for the first time.

16/1

40/1

Form: 826066

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Campaigned on AW for previous yard, winning once (7f); holds weak claims on his turf form for new stable; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

27th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rogue Thunder

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Wins have been here over 6f and at Chelmsford over 7f; recent efforts not overly encouraging, the latest here four days ago.

9/1

5th

7

(6)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

15:02 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rogue Thunder

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Patrick Morris

C&D winner; ended 2025 with some fair runs here but he needs to raise his game if he is to record a second win.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £81.30
Straight Forecast £73.26
Tricast £2228.27
Trifecta £1940.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Trilby

SPOTLIGHT:

Baba Reza

The Sun:

Roberto Caro

Daily Mirror:

Grant Wood

Telegraph:

Sergeant Pep

D Express:

Call Me Ginger

Daily Record:

Roberto Caro

TOPSPEED:

Trilby

The Times:

Trilby

POSTDATA:

Baba Reza

The Star:

Baba Reza