August 01 / 14.48 Ayr

14.48

Good

Fergie Happel Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £8100
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Fergie Happel Memorial Handicap

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38

Form: 447002

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won in three years but the handicapper has cut him some slack this season and he's shown more of late round his beloved York; looks set to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

(8)

21st Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Multiple winner for Keith Dalgleish and was rated higher in his prime; has form figures of 2234 for new stable and again has frame possibilities; scored over C&D in 2022.

7/1

4th

5

(3)

7th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Won at Carlisle (1m, good to firm) in May for the now-retired Keith Dalgleish and has form figures of 223 for his current yard; this return to Tapeta is no problem and he has each-way claims again.

4/1

3rd

7

(11)

20th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:45 Sandown

Whats The Story

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Won at Carlisle (1m, good to firm) in May for the now-retired Keith Dalgleish and he's been a good second on his first two starts for this yard (1m, good to soft/soft); there's every chance he'll be in the mix.

15/2

Form: 2-1310

Last run: 71 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won tidily at Thirsk off a 4lb lower mark on her turf debut in the spring (1m4f, good) but her subsequent York effort was much less good; still has some potential at this trip from a ten-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

5th Nov 2022

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 1

14:30 Doncaster

White Willow

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard Fahey

Successful three times this year; however, was well behind Something Enticing at Newmarket most recently and this looks a tough assignment.

66/1

9th

8

(6)

1st Oct 2022

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

13:31 Newmarket

White Willow

9st 1lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Fahey

led, headed over 4f out, ridden 3f out, losing position when bit short of room 2f out, soon weakened

16/1

Form: 61-145 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Proven winner but mainly over shorter and never off a mark quite as high (having an experienced 5lb claimer up will help); this is less competitive than back from a break at Sandown one month ago, however, and he's entitled to have come on for that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(8)

14th Oct 2022

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:00 Haydock

Chance

9st 13lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

towards rear, pushed along and headway towards far side over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong

10/1

11th

7

(9)

24th Sep 2022

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Chance

9st 6lb

J: Adam Kirby

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

in touch with leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened and eased

25/1

Form: 002253 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Five-time C&D winner who does most racing now over further, last summer's victory coming over 1m6f; has twice made the running and gone well over C&D lately, though, and is again likely to give it a good go from the front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who was recording his 12th win at the track when leading close home over 1m5f last week; able to race off a 3lb lower mark today and he has to be of interest from a handicapping perspective.

5/1

1st

6

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Glasses Up

8st 4lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Long in the tooth now and needs to better his recent efforts but was close third off 4lb higher at Hamilton (1m1f, good to firm) in May and is probably better suited by today's trip; can't rule out.

10/1

5th

3

(1)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who last May gained a ninth C&D win; his more recent form is not so encouraging, though, just fifth of eight over C&D 16 days ago; needs to bounce back.

20/1

16/1

Form: 48-456

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Lost his way for William Haggas last year before being picked up for 40,000gns in October; the handicapper is easing off but this trip is a bare minimum round here and he again only holds outside claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Faylaq

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

9yo who was well beaten in the John Smith's Cup at York last month but won two in a row here (1m5f/1m4f, good to firm) in May and continued in good form until his blip last time; not ruled out now back here.

12/1

9

(12)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Faylaq

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins at Hamilton (1m5f/1m4f, good to firm) in May and creditable fifth in the Northumberland Plate a fortnight ago (2m, AW); he's a 9yo who has never won off a mark this high but is versatile in terms of trip and ran well over C&D last month; not ruled out each-way.

22/1

5th

7

(2)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Faylaq

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Third and sixth in last two runnings of the C&D Vase on this card; in the groove with successive wins at Hamilton (1m5f/1m4f) this May; however, he's been held off this mark when back up to Class 2 in his three starts since, still in form but suggesting that others will have the edge today.

18/1

Non-runners

Faylaq

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.00
Straight Forecast £6.15
Trifecta £22.40

Selections

RP Ratings:

What's The Story

Daily Mirror:

Chance

SPOTLIGHT:

White Willow

The Guardian:

Glasses Up

Daily Express:

White Willow

The Sun:

Chance

Daily Record:

Chance

The Star:

Glasses Up

TOPSPEED:

What's The Story

POSTDATA:

What's The Story

The Times:

What's The Story

Telegraph:

What's The Story

Daily Mail:

What's The Story