August 06 / 15.45 Haydock

15.45

Soft

Sky Bet Sunday Series Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Sky Bet Sunday Series Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 242042 D BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Yet to win since return from a long absence but he's been banging at the door and made a bold bid from the front in a good 6f handicap at York last weekend (6f, good); effective at both 5f and on soft; back up in the weights but can't be ignored; one of two bang-in-form contenders for Tim Easterby.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(10)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Thirsk

Manila Scouse

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Back to winning ways at Ayr (6f) in July but well below par both runs since and he failed to beat a rival in Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last time; needs to take a major step forward.

33/1

14th

10

(13)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Manila Scouse

8st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

0-5 at Ripon but he has run well here; back near his best when seeing off 16 rivals at Ayr last month but a subsequent Hamilton run (5f) was underwhelming; still feasibly weighted despite being 1lb wrong but he is another who would make more appeal on a slower surface.

16/1

10th

10

(2)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Manila Scouse

9st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Running well this year, including close third to Vantheman over C&D in May, and he posted a deserved win in a big field at Ayr (6f, good) 26 days ago; raised 5lb but he was very competitive off similar marks in 2024.

9/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 414-17 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
The winner of three of his six runs in handicaps (all over 5f, two wins on good and one on heavy); got tired late on in a valuable 5f handicap at the Curragh five weeks ago but this isn't so competitive and he's still not fully exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(3)

6th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Haydock

Sheikh Maz Mahood

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

raced far side, raced in second, prominent 2f out, went second again 1f out, no extra towards finish

11/2

7th

17

(1)

2nd Jul 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:00 Curragh

Sheikh Maz Mahood

8st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

prominent

11/1

1st

7

(2)

15th May 2023

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:00 Musselburgh

Sheikh Maz Mahood

9st 0lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

disputed lead, led 2f out, pushed along over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong

6/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 908711 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Admirable veteran who is chasing a hat-trick after front-running 5f wins at York and Pontefract last month (both on good to soft in this combination of accessories); acts on soft, probably on heavy, and latest 2lb rise is not insurmountable; stable also run Manila Scouse.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Copper Knight

9st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Grand servant to connections and he was recording the 19th win of his long career when successful at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in May; four subsequent defeats have seen him slip to a mark 2lb lower than for that win; has won over C&D but likely vulnerable to younger rivals.

20/1

10th

8

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Copper Knight

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Admirable veteran who had a wicked draw in a C&D handicap last month that he'd won three times before; better boxed this time and there was much to like about his previous effort at Thirsk; considered.

8/1

Form: 146207 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Below best of late but happiest produced late off a strong pace and that should be on the cards today; promise on good to soft but would have something to prove on slower; good apprentice knows him well but was a well-beaten fourth of six at Hamilton on Saturday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Ramon Di Loria

9st 9lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Prolific winner down the years, adding two AW handicaps to his haul in February; arrives in good form but he was no match for Imperial Guard here last week and the turnaround in the weights may be insufficient.

6/1

2nd

4

(1)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

Ramon Di Loria

9st 10lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Safely held on consecutive 6f starts this spring but placed twice since returned to 7f, latterly in C&D (good) contest won by Jkr Cobbler three weeks ago; 2lb higher today but probably won't be far away.

8/1

3rd

5

(10)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

17:35 Ayr

Ramon Di Loria

9st 11lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Safely held on consecutive 6f starts this spring but looked back in good nick when close third at Musselburgh (7f, good; just behind Monhammer) on Tuesday and remains on a good mark; shortlisted.

6/1

25/1

Form: 000670 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Took turf record to 0-11 when down the field at York nine days ago; handles good to soft but well beaten in his one run on soft; others look much safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(10)

26th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Murbih

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

midfield

20/1

6th

7

(1)

13th Jun 2024

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

16:55 Nottingham

Murbih

9st 2lb

J: David Nolan

T: Antony Brittain

Still seeking a first turf win after 17 attempts and he's struggled on the grass so far this year; others are more convincing.

25/1

9th

8

(11)

29th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Beverley

Murbih

9st 3lb

J: William Pyle

T: Antony Brittain

awkward start, prominent

10/1

Form: 20243- D BF

Last run: 336 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Made a winning 2yo debut at Nottingham last April (5f, good) and ran several good races in defeat afterwards, in the frame at York (6f) on his final three outings; gelded over the winter and should have more to better at some point; unraced on slower than good, however, and he's up against some in-form opponents.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

20

(21)

21st Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Dare To Hope

8st 13lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Richard Fahey

Strong at the finish when repelling stablemate Ramazan in the Great St Wilfrid five weeks ago; no obvious excuse when midfield at York off this mark one week later; stable may have stronger claims elsewhere.

25/1

7th

9

(3)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Dare To Hope

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

He had been bubbling away nicely prior to enjoying his finest hour in last week's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon (6f, good), digging deep to hold off a smart stablemate; 6lb rise takes him into new territory but he ran well over C&D last month and there could be more improvement lurking.

15/2

1st

10

(16)

17th Aug 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Dare To Hope

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

raced near side

15/2

Form: 062570 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Testing ground won't be an issue and he's 4lb lower than when winning a 5f handicap at Newcastle in January; mixed bag since, however, and stable appear to hold stronger claims with Spoof.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Papa Dont Preach

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Placed in a classified stakes and a Yarmouth handicap (both over 5f on good to firm) earlier in the summer; not so good last time (6f); all four wins have been on AW, including over C&D; should go well.

6/1

6th

9

(1)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:15 Catterick

Papa Dont Preach

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Prominent racer; beaten favourite in two 5f handicaps on fast ground this summer but he has still run with credit; stays 6f but still seeking a first win at the trip.

4/1

2nd

1

(4)

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 6

17:08 Yarmouth

Papa Dont Preach

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

0-31 on turf but scored off 3lb higher on AW in December and returned from ten-week break with pretty good third in 0-70 grade at Doncaster (5f, good to firm) last month; major player in this grade.

15/8

Form: 4-4075 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Good record over 5f but he wasn't at his best returned to the trip at Newmarket 16 days ago (good); has shown promise on slow ground and can't be ignored off his reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(2)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

18:22 Lingfield (AW)

Twilight Madness

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Simon Hodgson

Multiple AW wins include two over this C&D, although his most recent success came on turf in April; has taken rather a drastic wrong turn since, though, and refitting cheekpieces (now discarded) made no difference back on this track last time.

14/1

6th

5

(2)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

18:48 Lingfield (AW)

Twilight Madness

9st 7lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Simon Hodgson

Ten-time winner who is effective here but last three runs have been very underwhelming.

33/1

12th

7

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

14:43 Wolverhampton (AW)

Twilight Madness

9st 4lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Simon Hodgson

Scored over C&D in December off 2lb lower and landed his tenth career win at Bath (5f, good) in April; last of eight though over C&D when last seen and vulnerable to younger rivals.

28/1

Form: -71628 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Looked good when winning on soft ground at Beverley in May and ran to a similar level when second of 14 in a good sprint at Epsom on Derby day; slowly away but disappointing nevertheless at Doncaster last time; still capable of better and has an experienced apprentice booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(14)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Beverley

Miss Brazen

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Has a soft-ground C&D win on her record; well handicapped on this year's best but she has a wide stall to contend with and she needs to step forward from her recent Catterick fifth.

12/1

5th

4

(9)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Miss Brazen

9st 13lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Returned to action with a win at Nottingham (5f, good) in April and she ran a cracker at Beverley one month later; not so good twice since and a lower draw would have been preferred.

10/1

5

(5)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Miss Brazen

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won over C&D (good) in April on reappearance before close third at Beverley (5f, good to firm); unplaced on next two starts but she was slowly away when sixth at Musselburgh then drawn widest when fifth at Beverley (5f, good); she's one to consider.

11/2

Non-runners

Spoof

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.70
Straight Forecast £5.77
Tricast £31.02
Trifecta £33.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Manila Scouse

SPOTLIGHT:

Sheikh Maz Mahood

TOPSPEED:

Twilight Madness

POSTDATA:

Copper Knight

D Express:

Sheikh Maz Mahood

The Times:

Manila Scouse

Telegraph:

Manila Scouse

Daily Mail:

Manila Scouse

Daily Mirror:

Manila Scouse

The Sun:

Manila Scouse

The Star:

Manila Scouse

Daily Record:

Manila Scouse