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

2nd

14

(14)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Manila Scouse

8st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

His last win came over C&D last July (good; off 1lb higher) and he stayed on for a close third at Hamilton (5f, good) a fortnight ago; could build on that latest performance now back up in trip; firmly in calculations.

10/1

3rd

10

(12)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Manila Scouse

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

May have needed his recent comeback from six months off at his age (cracked late on having raced prominently from a low stall over 6f round Chester); 2lb below his last successful mark and has won here before but David Allan has opted for Vince L'Amour.

12/1

7th

12

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Manila Scouse

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

On a competitive mark with a handy inside draw but he is returning from a seven month absence and his connections are also represented by Miraculous.

8/1

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

6th

6

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Copper Knight

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Grand old veteran who can be forgiven his defeat in a Class 2 at York last time, having won at this level the time before at Beverley (2lb lower); had 119 races and yet this is his first visit here.

16/1

18th

18

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Copper Knight

8st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Hugely admirable 12yo whose seven York wins include this race in 2019 and 2021, and he built upon last month's reappearance second at Ripon (5f, good) to win at Beverley (5f, good to soft) ten days ago; however, there's a suspicion he may find a big-field Class 2 such as this too hot nowadays.

20/1

1st

4

(2)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Legendary 12yo who has won 18 of his 117 races; fine second at Ripon on reappearance (5f, good), rain will help and although yet to win in four runs here, wouldn't rule him out.

13/2

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

3rd

7

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Ramon Di Loria

8st 6lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ewan Whillans

Multiple AW and turf winner from 5f-7f; back on his last winning turf mark from Ayr 13 months ago (has twice won on AW since); below par latest but not ruled out if able to bounce back.

10/1

6th

9

(3)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Ramon Di Loria

9st 2lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Won twice (6f/7f) in February and he was a good second to a thriving rival over C&D in his bid for a hat-trick; beaten off a lower mark twice since and more minor money perhaps his best hope.

8/1

5th

9

(6)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ramon Di Loria

9st 1lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual course winner last month who's continued in form since, faring best of those held up when not far behind Bomb Squad over C&D on Friday; one of the likelier winners.

4/1

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

9th

9

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Papa Dont Preach

8st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin Frost

Four-time AW winner who is 0-29 on turf but he ran well to finish third over C&D (good; 100-30 favourite) three weeks ago; rallied well in that race and he should be in the thick of things again off only 1lb higher.

3/1

3rd

6

(7)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:45 Nottingham

Papa Dont Preach

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

Led close home to score at Wolverhampton just before Christmas but the handicapper has been winning the argument since; a 0-28 turf record is enough reason to look elsewhere.

10/1

5th

9

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Papa Dont Preach

9st 2lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin Frost

Led close home to score at Wolverhampton just before Christmas and ran creditably over C&D in February; raced wide from an outside draw back at Wolverhampton last time; that run is best ignored and he can bounce back.

10/1

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

8th

2

(8)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

14:08 Wolverhampton (AW)

Twilight Madness

9st 11lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Ten-time sprint winner who scored at Bath (5f, good) two weeks ago and the quick turnaround may have caused his downfall at Kempton three days later; has claims if he can recapture that penultimate form and his four runs over C&D include a win and two thirds; dangerous.

7/2

9th

1

(3)

8th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Twilight Madness

9st 11lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Simon Hodgson

Often a front-runner and dual C&D winner who has been in good form lately, including scoring by a neck at Bath (5f, good) on Sunday; has a 4lb penalty for that, but is well drawn to attack and much respected.

7/2

1st

5

(7)

5th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 6

15:45 Bath

Twilight Madness

9st 6lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Front-runner; two wins in December and in the money on his last three starts; just 1-15 on turf as opposed to 8-37 on AW; others appeal more for win purposes.

7/2

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

3

(8)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Miss Brazen

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Defied a higher mark over C&D three years ago; modest strike-rate since but regained the winning thread at Nottingham (5f, good) on reappearance and may remain competitive.

11/2

1st

1

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:45 Nottingham

Miss Brazen

9st 12lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Out of sorts when last seen in the autumn but has dipped to 1lb below the mark she defied at Thirsk (5f, good) last summer; well handicapped if reviving after six months off.

10/1

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