September 07 / 15.00 Haydock

15.00

Good To Soft

Betfair Be Friendly Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Betfair Be Friendly Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 235415 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Running well this year prior to winning big-field 3yo handicap at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good to firm) and close fifth of 22 at York (5.4f, good to firm) since; today's race is less competitive and he could play a leading role if conditions suit (unproven on slow ground); trainer won this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(4)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Shagraan

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

His form took a surge forward towards the end of last season with 5f Listed wins for Mick Appleby at Beverley (good to firm) and Ascot (soft); reappeared with 3l third of 14 to Night Raider on stable debut in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) and he's open to improvement on this second start of the season; one to consider.

13/2

3rd

8

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Shagraan

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

In action between May and October last year for Michael Appleby, finding a form spurt late on with a close second to First Instinct in a Group 3 at Newbury sandwiched by Listed 5f wins at Beverley and Ascot (good to firm and soft); more needed back with former trainer but may yet do better.

10/1

1st

1

(4)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Shagraan

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Appleby

Tough sprinter who has improved of late, winning the Listed Beverley Bullet (5f, good to firm) in August and finishing clear of the rest when second of 14 in Group 3 at Newbury (5f, good to soft) in September; tactically versatile and may not have reached his ceiling just yet; commands respect.

3/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 0-4310 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Southwell (5f, AW) nine days ago and it's hard to be confident on the back of that, but he looked progressive previously and won over this C&D (good) two starts ago; shouldn't be written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(11)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

Without a win since August 2024 but well treated on last year's best efforts and he shaped when seventh of 14 over C&D three weeks ago as though he'd be sharper for that comeback run; seems to like it here; on the shortlist.

7/1

7th

12

(9)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

8st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David & Nicola Barron

A losing sequence is mounting but he has a win and a third from just two attempts over C&D, and the latter was first time out last season; 7lb lower here and he's of obvious interest if cherry ripe after 161 days off (has had wind surgery); one of two very plausible candidates for the Barrons.

11/2

11

(5)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Jer Batt

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David & Nicola Barron

Close second in this race 12 months ago (Oisin Murphy on board) when rated 4lb higher; knocking at the door this season and the addition of cheekpieces could give him a lift; shortlisted.

11/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -12122 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Two wins from five races this year, latest at Thirsk (5f, good to soft) in June; close second to Jer Batt over C&D (good) next time, runner-up at Pontefract (5f, good to firm) since and there's every chance he'll continue to progress, especially if settling better than last time; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

American Affair

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Highly progressive in 2025, winning the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm); also won on good to soft last year; it was his first run since when down the field at York recently and he may have needed it, but a dramatic transformation is required just ten days on.

9/1

10th

3

(12)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

American Affair

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Has built up a good strike rate over 5f/5.5f and registered a neck success at Royal Ascot (good to firm) upped to Group 1 level when last seen; landed a handicap at this meeting 12 months ago; very progressive and has possibilities provided he's as effective back at 6f.

9/1

1

(16)

17th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

American Affair

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Made outstanding progress in 5f handicaps and the way he raced to the front at York (good to firm) in May showed that a switch to Group company wouldn't be at all fanciful; unable to show what he was made of behind Mgheera in a Group 2 at Haydock (5f, good) since, as a gap shut as he was about to go through it, and he remains one to keep on the right side.

14/1

Form: 377343 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who is 0-10 this year but has often run well in defeat (on various ground), most recently a close third of 22 at York's Ebor meeting; every chance he'll produce another bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

4

(1)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:20 York

Looking For Lynda

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Craig Lidster

Well handicapped on last year's C&D form for Karl Burke but refused to race in April on final outing for that yard and down the field over C&D on recent stable debut, when again awkward at the start; risks attached.

33/1

14th

6

(6)

11th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:07 York

Looking For Lynda

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Craig Lidster

Beaten 16 times since his C&D win in September 2023; has often run well in defeat, including here, but he put a major black mark on his record at Nottingham in April, belatedly leaving the stalls but downing tools and bucking around immediately afterwards; the combination of a subsequent stable switch/wind surgery/change of headgear could all be beneficial and there's no doubt he has the ability to win a race like this; risky but feared.

10/1

1

(6)

9th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

14:35 Nottingham

Looking For Lynda

9st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

mounted in chute, refused to race, soon pulled up

5/2

9/1

Form: 312783 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
In good form this year since these cheekpieces went on, winning at Windsor (5f, good) in May and third of 14 at York last month (5f, good to firm; albeit no match for winner); unproven on slow ground; could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(11)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:20 Catterick

Jumbeau

8st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tom Clover

Faded in the closing stages over 6f at Newmarket last time but 5f is more her trip and her latest attempt over the minimum distance resulted in a creditable third at Lingfield (AW) at the beginning of September; has dropped to only 1lb above the mark she defied on turf at Lingfield in August.

16/1

6th

4

(3)

25th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket

Jumbeau

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Tom Clover

Has placed form over the trip but she's 0-9 over 6f+ as opposed to 3-16 at 5f; didn't run badly on AW three weeks ago but perhaps vulnerable to stronger stayers this time.

12/1

1

(8)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 3

18:20 Lingfield (AW)

Jumbeau

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Tom Clover

Turf win here last month (5f, good); not so good at York a fortnight ago but that was a warm race; promise in each of her three AW starts thus far; not ideally drawn though and others perhaps stronger for win purposes.

13/2

OUR TIP

9/1

Form: -00319

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Close third to Shagraan at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good to firm) before winning at Windsor (6f, good to firm); not at the same level at Southwell (5f) last time but that was his AW debut and this 3yo could have more to offer now back on turf; unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

(4)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Toca Madera

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Useful on his day for Brian Meehan, third to subsequent Group 1 winner American Affair over C&D (good to firm) last spring off an 11lb higher mark; might have needed both his runs for new connections, midfield over C&D at the Dante meeting last time; very dangerous if staging a revival.

10/1

11th

13

(20)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Toca Madera

8st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

His form has gone the wrong way since he was third in this last year (good to firm), behind two subsequent Group-race winners, and he needs a good step forward from his recent stable/seasonal debut at Thirsk (5f, good to firm) where he was seventh; however, he's 8lb lower than 12 months ago and could be just the type that David O'Meara excels with; interesting contender.

20/1

7th

3

(11)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Toca Madera

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Poor strike-rate for one of his ability when trained by Brian Meehan but he can go well fresh and is starting out for David O'Meara (sold 22,000gns last October) off a dangerous mark, some 6lb lower than when third in a hot 5f handicap at York's Dante meeting last May; possible he'll have one eye on that prize but still more interesting than many.

7/1

Form: 512591 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who has won four times this year, the latest when returning to form to beat four rivals at Catterick ten days ago; however, a 4lb rise and the step back up in grade may find him out this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 1lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Confirmed trailblazer who has won 13 races in his career (six on AW), but has finished out of the frame in all six starts over C&D; blinkers go on for the first time on his 86th start; others preferred.

11/1

8

(5)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

One of the faster sprinters in training and he belatedly got off the mark for the year with a front-running win at Wolverhampton 17 days ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition could find him out.

8/1

1st

1

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

Trailblazing sprinter who got no peace up front when beaten favourite in a Racing League handicap last time; ran a stormer the time before at Haydock and should give it a good shot from stall 3; has form here.

2/1

9/1

Form: 315813 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-4 for current stable when winning at Newmarket (5f, good) in July; solid third at Goodwood (5f, good) 11 days later; unproven on slow ground but could have more left in the tank and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Rocking Ends

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Clover

Three-time winner on good to firm last year, including over C&D in August off a mark 1lb higher than today's; 0-4 in Bahrain this winter but now returns to Britain on a handy mark having been off for 83 days; could have this run to suit and holds claims.

11/1

7

(14)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 2

16:07 Southwell (AW)

Rocking Ends

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Clover

Has gone 3-4 in cheekpieces and was drawn out of contention in the defeat at Goodwood; however, the handicapper is creeping closer and this race demands his best form yet.

12/1

1

(1)

24th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

15:20 Yarmouth

Rocking Ends

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Clover

Has won two of his last three and was drawn out of contention when beaten at Goodwood; always in a good place before doing it comfortably at Windsor (5f, good to firm); 7lb rise asks a question but he's on top of his game.

6/4

14/1

Form: -90110 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
10yo who won two in a row at Chester (heavy/good to soft) this summer; however, he's struggled when away from Chester this year and was well beaten at Wolverhampton (AW) last time; all turf wins have come on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Hyperfocus

9st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D (good to soft) last July but he's lost his way and has been out of sorts this season; now 17lb lower than for that last win but the veteran has a lot to prove.

20/1

115

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Hyperfocus

8st 8lb

T: Tim Easterby

11

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Haydock

Hyperfocus

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time course winner who has tumbled down the weights and runs here for the first time this season; however, this 11yo has been struggling this year and a major turnaround is required.

25/1

10/1

Form: 98-862 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo whose career has had some interruptions since he won his first two starts (good/good to soft); has improved with each of his three runs this season and went close at Hamilton (5f, heavy) a fortnight ago; not discounted but his claims may be dented if the ground dries out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(9)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Changeofmind

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Up in grade after winning a Class 5 at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) but had dropped to a tempting mark; wouldn't count the 6lb rise against him.

9/1

1st

1

(7)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Changeofmind

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Won his first two starts but beaten 17 times since; down the field at Thirsk on last week's reappearance but drops in grade today and the slower ground should suit.

10/1

14th

12

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Changeofmind

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

0-16 since winning his first two races and beat just one home in a division of this race 12 months ago; now 8lb lower but he carries risks after seven months off.

20/1

Non-runners

Designer

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.80
Straight Forecast £21.62
Tricast £63.67
Trifecta £92.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

American Affair

POSTDATA:

Shagraan

The Times:

Jumbeau

Daily Mail:

Designer

Telegraph:

Shagraan

RP RATINGS:

American Affair

TOPSPEED:

American Affair

The Guardian:

American Affair

D Express:

American Affair

The Sun:

American Affair

The Star:

American Affair

Daily Record:

American Affair

Daily Mirror:

Jumbeau