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

7

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

16:51 Hamilton

Glasses Up

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: R Mike Smith

11yo who was a close third over 1m1f at Ayr two starts ago and is versatile trip-wise; however, Ayr brings out the best in him and he was well beaten at Musselburgh last time; 0-4 here, with last visit coming last June.

25/1

5th

3

(5)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

15:50 Musselburgh

Glasses Up

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won at this track but who is better known for his exploits at Ayr; solid third at that track 16 days ago (1m1f, good to firm); shouldn't be far away if backing it up.

4/1

3rd

7

(3)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who has won 11 times here, including three last year (1m2f/1m5f); on a good mark and should come on for his run at Musselburgh last week; contender.

13/2

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