September 24 / 14.05 Haydock

14.05

Good

Old Boston Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 7f 212y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
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Old Boston Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1st
10 (1)

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 11-160 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Failed to stay 1m2f at Goodwood in July last time out and has been gelded since; running well in 1m handicaps previously, with a win at Sandown (good) and a sixth of 30 at Royal Ascot (good to firm); this 3yo could go well now back down in trip; won on soft ground last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

4/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: /11544 BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-3 when scoring on handicap debut at Goodwood (7f, soft) in May and he's run really well in defeat in quality handicaps on his three starts since, most recently at Ascot (1m, good to firm) last month; remains lightly raced and there is every chance he'll be bang there.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(4)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Montassib

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: William Haggas

Late-maturing type won the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (good) in 2024; did not appear last year until September and failed to recapture his best form in three runs, only fifth behind Spycatcher when favourite at Doncaster on last of them; reversed that form (and had James's Delight behind) when fourth in a 6f Listed race at the same venue eight weeks ago.

4/1

4th

9

(1)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

13:50 Doncaster

Montassib

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Arrives late on the scene and had a stellar 2024, his three wins including this race (soft) and the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (good); wasn't seen last year until September and didn't fully fire in three runs, only fifth behind Spycatcher when favourite over C&D on last of them; dangerous if rebounding but has to prove he retains all his ability.

4/1

9

(3)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Montassib

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Made the leap from top handicaps to Listed/Group races last season, winning the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (6f, good) by a head from Kind Of Blue, before finishing fifth to that rival in this event; 11 months off when an encouraging third of 11 in Group 3 at Newbury last month, getting going too late on his first attempt at 5f; that run suggests he retains all his ability and he's a serious candidate four weeks on.

11/2

14/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 585008 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
7yo who is taking on several progressive rivals and his losing run is up to 18 following some below-par efforts of late; however, seven visits to Haydock have yielded three wins and his cause will be aided if the ground is on the slow side of good; on a handy mark and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

14:35 Redcar

Young Fire

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Is on a losing run of 20 but has been runner-up three times this year; has dropped to a career-low mark and holds place claims.

10/1

4

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

14:35 Redcar

Young Fire

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Is on a losing run of 20 but has been runner-up three times this year; has dropped to a career-low mark and holds place claims.

10/1

8

(9)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Young Fire

9st 4lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

10yo who has been beaten 19 times since his last win in September 2024 but he's been runner-up a few times this year (including here) and was third at Hamilton (1m, soft) last time; has a career-low mark; each-way chance.

9/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 115062 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won three times this spring and returned to form when going close at Ripon (1m, good) last time; he's up 2lb to a career-high mark but shouldn't be far away if repeating that latest form; won here last year (on heavy).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

7th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Boardman

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

3-13 at Chester (the wins over 7.6f) but the last time he scored anywhere was in May 2023; has his lowest mark since 2020 and a shout on plenty of 2024 form, but seasonal debut may not be his best moment.

10/1

10

(7)

7th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Boardman

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

3-13 at Chester (the wins over 7.6f) but the last time he scored anywhere was in May 2023; has his lowest mark since 2020 and a shout on plenty of 2024 form, but seasonal debut may not be his best moment.

10/1

3rd

5

(5)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

17:40 Haydock

Boardman

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Dual course winner who went close over C&D last month but he's been disappointing since including a laboured effort back here last time; losing run is now up to 15 and others are more convincing.

16/1

9/1

Form: 226503

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed a very productive 2yo campaign last season; hadn't gone on from that but, having been gelded, he returned to form with a third at Doncaster (7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, doing best of those held up; the return to 1m should be fine and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(3)

24th Sep 2022

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Harrow

9st 2lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Andrew Balding

midfield, headway and chased leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon carried left, weakened final furlong

9/1

3rd

4

(2)

8th Sep 2022

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

15:45 Doncaster

Harrow

9st 3lb

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: Andrew Balding

towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and steady headway from over 1f out, went third inside final furlong, kept on final 110yds, not pace to challenge, did well in the circumstances

11/1

Form: 216241 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Built upon his previous promise (including on good/good to firm ground) when making all by just over 2l at Thirsk (1m, soft) three weeks ago; a 5lb rise isn't harsh and this unexposed 3yo could still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

30th Jun 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Encourageable

10st 0lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Appleby

Placed on stable debut at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) in early May but two lesser efforts have followed and he remains without a win since 2022; raced too freely in a visor on latest outing; cheekpieces tried here.

14/1

6th

4

(2)

12th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:25 Nottingham

Encourageable

9st 7lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Losing run goes back to 2022; did make a positive start for new yard when third (A Major Payne fifth) at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) last month but a subsequent no-show at Leicester needs forgiving; now sports a combination of a refitted tongue-tie and first-time visor.

12/1

6th

6

(7)

26th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 53y

Class 4

16:50 Leicester

Encourageable

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

Losing run goes back to 2022 but he has course form (7f) and new yard has inherited one who's dropped a long way in the weights; looked to be on the way back when third at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) this month; good claims.

100/30

7th
13 (11)
Billyb

16/1

Form: 621224 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
3yo who has been progressive in handicaps up to 1m this season and ran another creditable race when fourth off this mark at Doncaster recently (7f, good to soft; Harrow third); can go well once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Billyb

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Craig Lidster

Signed off for 2025 with 1m win at Southwell; looked rusty after five months off when eighth of nine in 1m Pontefract handicap last month; took this prize in 2024 so not dismissed with usual cheekpieces refitted.

12/1

8th

1

(2)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:23 Pontefract

Billyb

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Craig Lidster

Added another two 1m wins to his CV in 2025, including on AW when last seen in November; this 2lb higher mark shouldn't prove beyond him but his record fresh, allied to the absence of cheekpieces (worn on last seven starts), suggest this may not be his day.

8/1

5th

2

(13)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:05 York

Billyb

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Craig Lidster

4lb higher than when beating 18 rivals here (1m, good) in July and was having his first go over this sort of trip when third of seven at Redcar (1m2f, good) last time (winner has gone in again since); needs to prove his stamina in this much bigger field, though.

14/1

7/2

Form: 2-13 D

Last run: 128 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on sole 2yo start (7f, good to soft) and bolted up at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) on reappearance in April; well-beaten third in Listed race at Sandown (1m, good to firm) in May and absent since, but this half-brother to 2,000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold retains considerable potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

34th

11

(6)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Akhu Najla

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

Very lightly raced 4yo who reappeared with a promising run at Ascot (1m, good) in July, when staying on for a close fourth; better could have been expected at York (1m, good to firm) but it was a difficult race in which to make headway from the rear; the extra furlong may well be a positive here, along with the first-time blinkers, and he could be in the mix.

25/1

13th

5

(4)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Akhu Najla

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

towards rear

6/1

Form: -20842

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Having edged down the weights he ran his best race of the season when second of five off this mark at Sandown (7f, good) last month; however, he seems well suited by Sandown, is unproven over 1m and back in a more competitive race in this bid to snap a ten-race losing sequence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Rufaa

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Now 2lb lower than when keeping on well for close second behind course specialist in quite valuable Brighton Mile this summer, but recent Tapeta form has been underwhelming and he remains without a win since 2023.

10/1

1

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Rufaa

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Now 2lb lower than when keeping on well for close second behind course specialist in quite valuable Brighton Mile this summer, but recent Tapeta form has been underwhelming and he remains without a win since 2023.

10/1

7

(5)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Al Rufaa

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Patchy record this year but he is on the same mark as when a close second in a competitive race at Brighton in August; each-way shout.

10/1

33/1

Form: 261740 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Two of his best runs in this inconsistent campaign have come over C&D, including a win in June (good to soft) off today's mark; however, today's race is a lot more competitive and he finished down the field at Doncaster a fortnight ago; others provide more compelling options.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(6)

10th Apr 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Redcar

Fame And Acclaim

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Has form on most ground but two most recent wins on soft (7f) and good to soft (1m); below best on final start for Les Eyre, over 1m here in October, but is just below his latest winning mark last June and interesting to see what he comes up with on debut for new yard.

12/1

6th

3

(2)

24th Oct 2022

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:40 Redcar

Fame And Acclaim

9st 10lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Les Eyre

raced far side, in touch with leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced and struggling, no impression inside final furlong

8/1

2nd

2

(6)

14th Oct 2022

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:00 Haydock

Fame And Acclaim

9st 13lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Les Eyre

in touch with leaders, pushed along and lost position over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, went second final 110yds, no match for winner

16/1

25/1

Form: -14538 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Has dropped below his last winning mark and he's posted a couple of fair efforts this summer, but this 6yo takes on improving types today and needs to raise his game if he's to get back on the scoresheet.
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: 754112 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
3yo who won two handicaps in a row at Newmarket (7f, good/good to firm) this summer and continued the good work when runner-up at Newbury (1m, good) last time, behind a winner who followed up at Doncaster's St Leger meeting; major player provided conditions suit (unproven on slow ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(4)

11th Oct 2022

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Leicester

Auditor

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Freddie & Martyn Meade

prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went second inside final furlong, no match for winner

8/1

12th

12

(8)

24th Sep 2022

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Auditor

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Freddie & Martyn Meade

towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened and eased final furlong

7/1

2nd

7

(2)

19th Aug 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newbury

Auditor

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Freddie & Martyn Meade

held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed inside final 110yds, kept on

7/2

Form: 30-946 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Horse

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Single-figure odds on his last eight starts and beaten on each occasion; however, he's run some good races in that time, including when fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) two starts ago; this is easier and he could be in the mix in first-time headgear; unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Newmarket

Astro King

9st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Excelled in top handicaps at York and Newmarket in 2023, including with a C&D win in the Cambridgeshire (good to firm; 3lb lower today); however, he only once threatened to hit those heights in 2024 and, after wind surgery, missed all of 2025; that leaves him with a 658-day absence to overcome but his handicap mark has been slashed.

40/1

12th

1

(14)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Astro King

9st 13lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Has a very lofty mark and hasn't been at his best the last twice but he excelled in big-field handicaps last year, finishing second in this (good to soft) and posting wins over C&D (good to firm) and in the Cesarewitch (1m1f, good to firm; off 4lb lower); not necessarily handicapped out of things.

14/1

Non-runners

Astro King

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.20
Straight Forecast £27.73
Tricast £265.68
Trifecta £470.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Akhu Najla

The Times:

Montassib

TOPSPEED:

Al Rufaa

The Star:

Billyb

LAMBOURN:

Wanees

Daily Mirror:

Auditor

RP Ratings:

Harrow

NEWMARKET:

Akhu Najla

Telegraph:

Akhu Najla

Daily Express:

Akhu Najla

Daily Record:

Akhu Najla

The Guardian:

Montassib

Daily Mail:

Montassib

The Sun:

Montassib

POSTDATA:

Al Rufaa