September 05 / 16.17 Haydock

16.17

Good To Soft

Join Racing TV Now EBF Novice Stakes (Colts & Geldings)

  • Prize money: £7560
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Join Racing TV Now EBF Novice Stakes (Colts & Geldings)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
210,000euros breeze-up buy who didn't enjoy an ideal trip when winning at 8-1 on last month's debut at Newmarket (6f, good); he's a likeable prospect and a 7lb penalty may not stop him this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Sandown

Defence Minister

10st 0lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Best efforts at 7f, including on this course; signs of return to form when close seventh of 20 at Glorious Goodwood, having to wait for room; handles good to soft ground; should be thereabouts off the same mark.

10/1

7th

2

(13)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Goodwood

Defence Minister

9st 10lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Finished a fairly close fourth in this last year (good) when the pick of James Doyle from three Wathnan runners; had been gelded before taking a 7f handicap at Kempton (AW) on his reappearance in the spring but it's been downhill in two subsequent starts; hopes pinned on his second visit to Goodwood sparking a revival.

25/1

20th

16

(8)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Defence Minister

9st 3lb

J: James McDonald

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Record is 3-10; gelded prior to reappearance success at Kempton (7f, AW; looked better than ever) and had an excuse (raced in unfavoured group) when never landing a blow in the Victoria Cup over C&D since; could go well, provided this race pans out better.

25/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for the winner but still showed considerable promise when runner-up at 3-1 on debut at Redcar (6f, good to firm) in July; this Middle Park entry could be sharper for that outing and he's one to consider today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(10)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:35 Redcar

Arabian Angel

9st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: K R Burke

taken down early, made all, took keen hold, switched to far side soon after start, going best 2f out, ridden and faced challenge final 110yds, kept on well towards finish, just did enough

3/1

2nd

3

(1)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:17 Haydock

Arabian Angel

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: K R Burke

No match for the winner but still showed considerable promise when runner-up at 3-1 on debut at Redcar (6f, good to firm) in July; this Middle Park entry could be sharper for that outing and he's one to consider today.

4/1

2

(2)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Arabian Angel

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

115,000gns foal and brother to useful 7f performer Night Raider; failed to justify favouritism at Redcar (6f, good to firm) but ran well in finishing clear of the rest behind Diablo Rojo who was a respectable sixth in Wednesday's Acomb; stepping up to 7f looks an obvious move.

14/1

Form: 81 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left debut run (6f, good to firm) well behind to win at Thirsk (6f, good) three weeks ago; needs another step forward today to defy a 7lb penalty but he was well backed last time and could continue to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Dark Cloud Rising

9st 13lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: David O’Meara

C&D winner who made all at Ripon (6f, good) in June and he had an excuse after missing the break in the Great St Wilfrid there last time; now drops back in grade and he's a big player if he can get back near best.

3/1

6th

4

(15)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Dark Cloud Rising

8st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Positives include a C&D record comprising a win and a second and he arrives in top form; whether he is quite well enough treated for a race of this nature remains to be seen though.

8/1

2nd

1

(6)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Dark Cloud Rising

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Stumbled/unseated in first-time visor (retained since) at Carlisle in May but posted a career-best when winning by 2l over C&D (good) in June, and he was denied a clear run when third of six at Pontefract (6f, good) subsequently; high on the list.

15/8

Form: 2

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Belied 22-1 odds when runner-up on recent debut at Windsor (6f, soft), albeit no match for the more experienced Godolphin favourite; that was a promising start and he could have a part to play today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Double Rush

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Smart handicapper who brings excellent stats, being 3-3 at Newmarket (on the other course, admittedly, but it bodes well) and 3-3 (much improved) this term for new yard; prevailed only narrowly in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently but seems on his way to becoming a Group performer; adds great interest.

8/1

1st

4

(24)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Double Rush

9st 9lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Andrew Balding

The talking horse in good 6f handicaps this spring and he delivered, coming clear with no fuss under Oisin Murphy at Newmarket (good) on yard debut and not having to work much harder under a penalty there (good to firm) in May for Shane Foley; 10lb higher than last time but could be on his way to better things.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
By Night Of Thunder; first foal; dam 6f 2yo Group 3 winner from classy family; thrown into a tough race on debut but he represents last year's winning yard and is bred to be talented; no surprise to see a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(10)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:10 Ascot

Maelstrom

8st 8lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Stuart Williams

Progressive for William Haggas last spring; dropped to 5f at Newmarket two weeks ago and he ran on well to win in Class 4 company; up 3lb in a better race but he could have more to offer at this distance.

8/1

1st

2

(7)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:04 Newmarket (July)

Maelstrom

9st 12lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Stuart Williams

Completed 6f hat-trick for William Haggas in spring 2025; midfield on both starts for new stable this summer but looked unlucky not to finish close to the target here (6f, good to firm; denied clear run) a week ago and has possibilities if suited by this drop in trip.

13/2

5th

2

(10)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

Maelstrom

9st 12lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Stuart Williams

Completed a 6f hat-trick last spring but signed off for William Haggas with last of 13 at Newcastle in November; had been gelded before racing too freely on his stable debut/reappearance 19 days ago; that should have knocked some freshness out of him and he's back on his last winning mark.

11/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.80
Straight Forecast £4.60
Trifecta £10.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Defence Minister

POSTDATA:

Arabian Angel

TOPSPEED:

Dark Cloud Rising

The Times:

Maelstrom

RP RATINGS:

Defence Minister

NEWMARKET:

Defence Minister

Telegraph:

Defence Minister

The Guardian:

Defence Minister

D Express:

Defence Minister

Daily Mirror:

Defence Minister

The Sun:

Defence Minister

Daily Record:

Defence Minister

THE NORTH:

Arabian Angel

Daily Mail:

Arabian Angel

The Star:

Dark Cloud Rising