September 07 / 13.50 Haydock

13.50

Good To Soft

Betfair Plays Different Handicap

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 6f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Betfair Plays Different Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2153

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
First three starts, including a soft-ground win, made him look a promising sort moving into handicaps and he duly finished third of 16 in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) two weeks ago, staying on from mid-division; up 3lb but open to further progress and he's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Master Builder

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Last seen floundering on heavy going in the November Handicap at Doncaster; the clear highpoint of that campaign was his second at Epsom (1m4f, good; stays 1m6f) in April, which came first time out and points up his chance given that he is now 11lb lower; needs a second look.

6/1

9

(13)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Master Builder

9st 0lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Menuisier

Progressive last year so his mixed form this season has been a little disappointing, albeit his latest sixth (Dramatic Star second, Stressfree third) in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock (1m6f, good) was respectable.

10/1

6th

11

(17)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Master Builder

8st 13lb

J: William Buick

T: David Menuisier

Mixed form this season and disappointing at Goodwood last month; however, he won over C&D last September (good; also effective on soft) and is on a handy mark for his in-form stable; not discounted now back here.

11/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3-7121

Last run: 101 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won handicap debut at Doncaster (1m4f, soft), second at Chester (1m4f, good) next time and back in the winner's enclosure at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) on latest start; those were all in the spring (he's been absent 101 days) but he looked the type to make further progress, including at this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

13:55 Haydock

Contacto

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

4yo who has failed to progress this year but he got back on track with a nose second of six to High Point over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; there's every chance he'll be thereabouts once more.

9/2

2nd

3

(3)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Contacto

10st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Progressive in handicaps last term; hasn't continued in the same vein during a fairly light 2025 campaign but faced a tough task in the Old Borough Cup here most recently; this is easier.

7/2

9th

15

(6)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Contacto

8st 6lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Andrew Balding

Won two 3yo handicaps last spring (1m4f, soft) and ran well in defeat on first two starts this season (2m, good/AW); disappointing at Ascot (2m, good) last time but holds each-way possibilities if back on song.

16/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -56311

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Disappointing favourite and co-favourite in his first two handicaps but has turned a major corner with blinkers fitted for his two starts since, winning at Salisbury and Newbury (both 1m4f on good to firm); first off the bridle turning for home last time, before leading on the post, which sees a switch of headgear today (off 6lb higher mark) but also a step up in trip which has to make appeal; leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(6)

4th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

14:47 Ascot

Hutchence

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

in touch with leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon rallied and good headway on near side of group, led over 1f out, went clear inside final furlong, easily

7/4

3rd

4

(6)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

13:50 Haydock

Hutchence

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Disappointing favourite and co-favourite in his first two handicaps but has turned a major corner with blinkers fitted for his two starts since, winning at Salisbury and Newbury (both 1m4f on good to firm); first off the bridle turning for home last time, before leading on the post, which sees a switch of headgear today (off 6lb higher mark) but also a step up in trip which has to make appeal; leading player.

9/2

1st

6

(7)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Newbury

Hutchence

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Disappointing favourite and co-favourite in his first two handicaps but the blinkers went on at Salisbury (1m4f, good to firm) three weeks ago and he won that six-runner race in good style; 8lb higher today but may have turned a corner and has to be taken seriously.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: -31328

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Found improvement in handicaps when upped in trip this May-July, latterly when second of 13 in a quite valuable race over C&D; fair eighth of 16 in the Melrose at York last time, which sees headgear go on today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(7)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Too Bossy For Us

8st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: W P Mullins

Useful on the Flat, although sole win came back in 2024, narrowly beaten here over 2m last summer; equally talented hurdler, but some stiff tasks of late; market likely informative back on the Flat.

8/1

6th

9

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

16:15 Punchestown

Too Bossy For Us

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

One of three for yard; Useful on the Flat; off the mark over hurdles in a C&D maiden in February (sft-hvy); beaten 11.5l when midfield in the Supreme at Cheltenham (when Townend rode) and raced keenly before pulled up in the Fairyhouse Grade 2 won by Koktail Brut latest; overlooked by Townend here.

20/1

8

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:40 Fairyhouse

Too Bossy For Us

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Useful Flat handicapper; finished in mid-field in the 2025 Triumph on hurdling debut; easy winner of a Punchestown maiden in January; second-best of a disappointing Irish contingent when sixth in the Supreme Novices; giving him a slight edge over Koktail Brut.

11/2

20/1

Form: 123746 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Running with consistent credit in handicaps, the exception when 20-1 in a Class 2 contest over C&D; showed he stays 2m when rallying on last two starts (here and behind Road To Wembley at Newcastle); a more prominent ride will probably be needed (5lb claimer is also enlisted) but others are still likely to have too much toe for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Filibustering

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Harry Derham

Tongue-tie went on for six-runner handicaps on his last two hurdle races (2m1f/2m) and he won them both; his last Flat race was in 2024 for Tim Easterby and that was a pretty solid campaign; acts on Tapeta, unraced on Polytrack; needs to be at his best on return to Flat but no shock if he's a major player.

6/1

1st

2

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

18:45 Hexham

Filibustering

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harry Derham

Back to form in first-time tongue-tie when winning at Newcastle last time (2m1f, good; third has since won on the Flat); up 4lb; chance.

9/4

1st

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

Filibustering

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harry Derham

Hasn't kicked on since making winning hurdles/stable debut at Kelso (2m, juvenile) in March 2025, failing to see out races at Doncaster, Kelso, and Ludlow; hopes are pinned on a revival with an added tongue-tie; trainer is 5-11 (45%) over jumps here in the last five years.

5/1

Form: 111122

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Races prominently and can make the running; much improved since blinkered, completing a four-timer in June/July; advanced his form again when second in both starts since; all of that improvement was over about 1m4f but he shapes as if worth a go at 1m6f; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(7)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 3

16:00 Haydock

Walter Hartright

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Ed Dunlop

Races prominently and can make the running; much improved since blinkered, completing a four-timer in June/July before two good seconds and a creditable sixth in warm C&D race on latest outing (behind Filibustering); his only runs on worse than good to soft were last October at start of career (well beaten) so there is something to prove in the mud.

8/1

6th

3

(4)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

13:50 Haydock

Walter Hartright

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Races prominently and can make the running; much improved since blinkered, completing a four-timer in June/July; advanced his form again when second in both starts since; all of that improvement was over about 1m4f but he shapes as if worth a go at 1m6f; considered.

8/1

2nd

5

(4)

31st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 2

13:30 Beverley

Walter Hartright

8st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Ed Dunlop

raced in third and in touch with leaders, pushed along over 3f out, went second over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, challenging final furlong, stayed on

9/4

Form: 113421

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Competitive in all his six handicaps, with his three wins including a Racing League event at Newcastle (2m) 16 days ago; his only turf race was at Newbury (2m, good to firm) on penultimate start, when he finished second; continues up the weights and in class today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

16:35 Aintree

Road To Wembley

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time winner on the Flat for Richard Hughes and it's been a promising start over hurdles, winning a Southwell maiden last time without too much fuss (good); penalised accordingly but sets the standard.

Evs

1st

5

1st Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Road To Wembley

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Fairly useful four-time AW Flat winner in these silks for Richard Hughes and promising second of ten on his Warwick hurdle debut (2m, good to soft) for Olly Murphy 24 days ago; entitled to improve and the one to beat.

Evs

2nd

7

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Road To Wembley

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time AW winner at up to 2m on Flat for Richard Hughes, reaching an RPR of 85 (has shown a similar level of form on turf); remains with same owner; has the potential to become a fairly useful hurdler.

13/2

Form: 712410 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Second win this season came when upped to 1m6f at Sandown in July, drawing clear again in the final 1f; went up a tough-looking 7lb when those front-running tactics did not work out in the Melrose at York two weeks ago; dropped 1lb since but still needs to resume his improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(1)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Spaceport

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Lacey

Scored twice (at 1m4f/1m6f) for William Muir and Chris Grassick in summer of 2024; very lightly raced and has shown little since for his current yard though, hooded when last of seven in 8.5f Wolverhampton handicap 27 days ago; Polytrack debutant.

20/1

7th

2

(6)

24th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spaceport

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tom Lacey

Won turf handicaps over 1m4f and 1m6f for William Muir/Chris Grassick in 2024; only seen twice for this stable and finished tailed off on both occasions (hurdles last February/1m4f here last month); hooded and dropped in trip today; risky despite a tumbling handicap mark.

25/1

8th

3

(2)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 3

16:52 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spaceport

9st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Tom Lacey

Absent and had wind surgery since a heavy defeat last February on stable/hurdles debut; now goes in tongue-tie; all of his Flat form is on turf; the betting may help to ascertain expectations.

14/1

10/1

Form: 220331 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Threatened a few times before getting off the mark at the eighth attempt, in a six-runner handicap at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) at the end of July; led after 5f that day and saw off a challenger with authority but he's raised 6lb and in class, so needs another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Across Earth

10st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won against his own age-group here (2m, soft; also suited by good) in December and has finished close up on all three outings since (1m7f-2m); must be considered on this first attempt at 2m4f.

5/1

2nd

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Across Earth

11st 12lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Consistent for a while now and, although beaten off this mark on his last two starts, it was a pretty good handicap in which he went down narrowly at Newbury the last time (2m, good to soft); thereabouts if gelling with Jude Fernandes.

3/1

20/1

Form: 693256

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Sole win (12 races) was 1m2f in May but he ran well over 1m4f and 1m6f in July; perhaps stretched by 2m last time; dropped 2lb since but looks vulnerable to an improver unless the first-time headgear sparks something.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(10)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Flickering Halo

9st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Recent form has been patchy, but he's now 5lb lower than when winning over C&D in May; each-way claims if he can reproduce that sort of form; stable also runs Hosanna Power.

16/1

2

(10)

19th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Flickering Halo

10st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Both wins at 1m2f, on good to firm and the AW; third at Beverley last month before struggling in a Class 4; could go well, though has mostly steered clear of slow ground.

14/1

Non-runners

Highland Bling

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.80
Straight Forecast £15.81
Tricast £80.79
Trifecta £80.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Master Builder

Daily Mirror:

Hutchence

NEWMARKET:

Walter Hartright

TOPSPEED:

Filibustering

The Times:

Contacto

LAMBOURN:

Road To Wembley

RP RATINGS:

Master Builder

POSTDATA:

Master Builder

Telegraph:

Master Builder

The Guardian:

Master Builder

D Express:

Master Builder

The Sun:

Master Builder

Daily Record:

Master Builder

The Star:

Hutchence

Daily Mail:

Walter Hartright