September 23 / 14.40 Haydock

14.40

Good

Haldane Fisher Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Haldane Fisher Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.30

Form: -63164

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Marked improvement when justifying favouritism at Goodwood (1m4f, soft) on handicap debut in June; similar form when sixth of 14 over C&D (soft) and fourth of 11 at Ascot (1m4f, good to soft) two months later, but this second crack at 1m6f offers some renewed hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(2)

7th Oct 2022

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:50 York

Double Cherry

9st 1lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Tom Ward

slowly away, took keen hold, in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left and went second inside final furlong, kept on, no match for winner

6/1

1st

7

(9)

23rd Sep 2022

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Double Cherry

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Tom Ward

held up in rear, some headway but waiting for room over 2f out, soon switched right and badly hampered, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, switched right and rapid headway inside final furlong, made strong challenge final 110yds, led post

13/2

4th

10

(11)

3rd Sep 2022

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:45 Ascot

Double Cherry

8st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Ward

held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on and went fourth inside final furlong, not reach leaders

11/1

Form: 722193

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy as 2yo; has worn cheekpieces on latest three starts, making all in a six-runner race at Newbury on first occasion; put in his place when 33-1 at Glorious Goodwood (again 1m4f) but his close third when up to 2m on Lingfield AW last time was a good effort and earns him some respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Zain Nights

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Just did enough to pip My Bobby Dazzler in this race last year (good ground; wore cheekpieces) and returned to form with front-running success in first-time visor at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; safely held, though, in Cheltenham race won by Long Draw in April and remains on career-high mark.

10/1

10th

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Zain Nights

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Just did enough to pip My Bobby Dazzler in this race last year (good ground; wore cheekpieces) and returned to form with front-running success in first-time visor at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; safely held, though, in Cheltenham race won by Long Draw in April and remains on career-high mark.

10/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Zain Nights

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Lucy Wadham

It was the middle leg of a hat-trick when beating Harbour Lake in this 12 months ago and the first-time visor triggered a return to form at Newbury last time (3m, good to soft; made all); has to be considered off 4lb higher.

5/1

15/2

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 212043

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on good to soft on debut; his three handicap runs have been rather underwhelming, especially considering he was co-favourite at Royal Ascot (1m4f) on first occasion; tongue tied when third of five at Beverley (1m2f) on latest and another run beyond 1m2f has to be worth the attempt; cheekpieces are also given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(11)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Post Impressionist

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Underwhelming on first three runs this year but not beaten far in ninth in the Ebor (1m6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and he may be able to build on that, having come good around this time of year last season.

13/2

9th

23

(1)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Post Impressionist

8st 12lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

More potent upped to 1m6f (with Adam Farragher) when cheekpieces were initially enlisted for his last two starts last season, notably for a clearcut win over C&D (good to soft); 8lb higher today and has not fired in the same way in his three starts this term; headgear now removed.

25/1

7th

6

(8)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Post Impressionist

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

More potent upped to 1m6f when cheekpieces were initially enlisted (they've been kept since) for his last two starts last season; underwhelming in the Northumberland Plate (raced a bit freely) on reappearance and tailed off on heavy going at Goodwood one week ago, but he should stay 2m.

8/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 51-174 BF

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won handicap/seasonal debut at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) in April; while running creditably in form terms, he's not lived up to favouritism since in handicaps over C&D (soft; seventh of 14) or at Newcastle; gelded since and dropped just 1lb, he needs to resume improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

(9)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Sea King

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Well beaten at Royal Ascot but won at Ripon (1m4f, soft) and Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) starts either side; blinkered at Ayr and when a good third off this mark to Iron Lion at Ripon on latest start, meeting trouble in running; not 100% sure to be as good at 1m6f (went close in 2022 in one of three attempts) but he leaves the strong impression that he still has more to give.

20/1

3rd

2

(5)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:55 Ripon

Sea King

10st 1lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Has won five of his 12 handicaps, including at Ripon (1m4f, soft) and Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) on the first and latest of his three races this season; the heavy defeat in between was at Royal Ascot; blinkered first time on latest start and again today; up another 5lb but likely to go well.

2/1

1st

1

(5)

8th Jul 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

16:05 Ayr

Sea King

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

travelled strongly, steadied start, towards rear

7/4

Form: 265-72

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Reappeared only three weeks ago; that was his second heavy defeat from as many attempts on soft ground, but his bold show when second of seven at Kempton (1m4f, AW) nine days later puts him right back in the picture.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:47 Cork

Flamborough

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Flat winner in Britain; opened hurdles account at the sixth attempt, landing a C&D maiden in November; down the field in a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse last month; more relevant form in this context is his fourth placing in the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel; also managed a fine third on the Flat in the Naas November Handicap; makes plenty of appeal in this grade.

9/4

14th

10

3rd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:10 Fairyhouse

Flamborough

10st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

took keen hold, prominent

10/1

1st

2

5th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:20 Cork

Flamborough

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Flat winner when trained by the Johnstons in UK; has run well in defeat over hurdles for this yard, notably in the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel; fine 3rd in the Naas November Handicap since; should go close back to hurdles.

5/2

6th
10 (5)
Haarar

12/1

Form: -13314 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; has won two (Windsor and Chelmsford) of his four handicaps; creditable fourth of seven at Chelmsford on latest outing probably showed he stays this trip but he needs to find extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(6)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Haarar

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Generally productive over hurdles but last few efforts leave a doubt over whether he'll be in top form returned to the Flat for first time since winning at Redcar (1m6f, soft) in November 2024.

14/1

4th

6

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Haarar

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Has won five of his 17 races over hurdles, including at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) and off 7lb lower at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) this season; not at his best on last two runs but could bounce back.

5/1

10th

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Haarar

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Well beaten at Catterick last month but perhaps that run came too soon, just six days after he completed a double in good style at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft); third in this last year and he could be involved.

12/1

Form: 172620

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; sixth of 19 in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot and bumped into the well-treated Soulcombe when a clear second of four at Ascot (again 1m4f on good to firm) next time; needs to bounce back from his last of 13, racing freely, at Glorious Goodwood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(13)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Teumessias Fox

9st 5lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Slow starts have become an unwelcome habit but he caught the eye keeping on for fifth of 13 behind King's Code over C&D in January, when denied a clear run; last of three at Lingfield since in a race that wasn't run to suit; each-way claims if getting the breaks.

9/1

3rd

2

(1)

31st Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

13:05 Lingfield (AW)

Teumessias Fox

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Smart at his peak on AW but slow starts have become an unwelcome habit and he's been operating below his very best in AW handicaps this winter; would need to bounce back to his peak form to trouble an on-song Survie.

5/1

5th

2

(14)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

14:50 Newcastle (AW)

Teumessias Fox

9st 9lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Andrew Balding

Does well on the AW and was never ideally positioned in a steadily run race over C&D two months ago; slow breaks have become an unwelcome habit but capable of being in the shake-up granted a solid pace to chase; Alfie Redman takes off a useful 7lb.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: -22612 D BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; gelded and had first-time blinkers (kept since) when he came good in an apprentice jockeys' race at Ffos Las over this trip last month, suited by coming from off the strong pace and drawing clear to win easily; failed to repeat the form when second of seven at Salisbury (1m6f, good to firm) eight days later and now has a 7lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(1)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Nova Legend

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Paul Midgley

prominent, weakened over 3f out, tailed off

50/1

10th

7

(1)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Nova Legend

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Paul Midgley

A fairly useful 1m6f winner for James Ferguson in 2022 but he's failed to beat a rival in three runs for his current yard, last of five over 1m4f here 16 days ago; others appeal more.

50/1

5th

4

(7)

2nd May 2024

Heavy

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

18:50 Doncaster

Nova Legend

9st 7lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Paul Midgley

took keen hold, led, went clear after 2f, much reduced lead home turn, headed 3f out, soon weakened quickly and eased

20/1

Form: 31-364

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Gelded soon after disappointing at York in May; better taking minor honours from the back on his starts either side and his fourth of 14 in soft-ground race over C&D on latest makes him a big player if he takes to the first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(6)

23rd Sep 2022

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Speycaster

9st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

prominent, pushed along 4f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, weakened quickly 2f out

4/1

10

(3)

3rd Sep 2022

Good To Firm

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:20 Haydock

Speycaster

8st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Ralph Beckett

1m AW win as 2yo; disappointed at York in May (gelded soon afterwards) and although he was better taking minor honours from the back on starts either side, in soft-ground race over C&D on latest, others are more persuasive; headgear enlisted.

7/1

Form: 3210

Last run: 100 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Dam 1m4f Group 1 winner; improved with his first three starts, comfortably making all in Yarmouth maiden (11.4f, good) third occasion; just 15-2 when poor last of 12 in the Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm; trained blamed the ground) and it's much too soon to rule him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

16

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Baltic Bird

10st 4lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Any horse in these colours worth a second look here, and one presumes this has been the plan; useful Flat and hurdles performer and won 2m6f hurdle on this card in 2024; held in novice company last year after winning on chase debut at Down Royal; third over inadequate 2m on handicap debut at Wexford; better for that run and ground and trip to suit, albeit he's up in grade a good bit.

8/1

3rd

5

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:08 Wexford

Baltic Bird

11st 9lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Ground should be coming right for him now; probably needs further than this, and his lack of a recent run is a possible drawback.

12/1

3

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Cheltenham

Baltic Bird

11st 7lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: William Durkan

Has won all sorts during his career, including one of his three chases; didn't run too badly when a well-held third in a 3m novice at Clonmel last time but looks to have a bit on his plate at these weights.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £94.10
Straight Forecast £86.97
Tricast £529.67
Trifecta £678.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Baltic Bird

TOPSPEED:

Teumessias Fox

POSTDATA:

Double Cherry

The Times:

Speycaster

RP Ratings:

Sea King

Daily Express:

Post Impressionist

The Guardian:

Flamborough

The Star:

Zain Nights

Daily Mail:

Baltic Bird

Daily Record:

Baltic Bird

Telegraph:

Teumessias Fox

Daily Mirror:

Double Cherry

The Sun:

Speycaster

NEWMARKET:

Sea King