May 25 / 16.45 Haydock

16.45

Soft

Costello Florida Handicap

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 1m 3f 175y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Costello Florida Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 684114 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Two wins last month (1m4f/1m6f, soft) and it was his third start in 11 days when below par at Salisbury (1m6f, heavy) last time; returns from 20 days off today and it's possible he'll bounce back with a good run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:52 Uttoxeter

Corsican Caper

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Kevin Frost

Lots of Flat racing and lowly rated these days; hadn't shown much over hurdles but kept finding to finish a 5.5l third over 2m4f here 22 days ago on his handicap debut, and this longer trip looks the obvious move.

100/30

3rd

11

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Corsican Caper

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

Lowly rated these days on the Flat and has shown little in three runs over hurdles; makes handicap hurdle debut up in trip and needs to show significant improvement.

14/1

4th

3

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:32 Taunton

Corsican Caper

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

A fair 1m6f Flat winner; built on his hurdling debut seventh when third of four in 2m Doncaster novice 27 days ago but this demands considerably more.

12/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 6122-7 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won twice last summer and campaign concluded with two second placings, over 1m4f on soft at Catterick on final occasion; soundly beaten at Bath on last month's reappearance but may have needed the run and the first-time hood could help him settle better; possibilities for last year's winning yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell

Squeezebox

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

A fair 1m4f Flat scorer who has made a bright start over hurdles, going 2-3 in 2m Fakenham novice when last seen out in October; goes handicapping after an absence now and can't be ruled out.

7/4

1st

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

15:15 Fakenham

Squeezebox

11st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Tom Lacey

All-the-way Market Rasen hurdling debut winner in August, and 2l ahead of Currumbin when fifth at Warwick latest (2m, good); that form sets the standard here, and the second and fourth each won (over fences) next time; obvious player if settling better; gains tongue-tie.

5/1

5th

1

23rd Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:28 Warwick

Squeezebox

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Capable on the Flat and won from the front on hurdling debut at Market Rasen (2m, good); the runner-up ran well in defeat in a Plumpton handicap on Sunday; should be very competitive even with the penalty.

13/2

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 8-1207

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Hasn't really threatened the last twice but didn't run badly when seventh of 20 at York (1m4f, good) last week and his better form earlier this spring came on soft/heavy ground; interesting contender after this week's rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

14:22 Thirsk

Bustaam

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

in touch with leaders, ridden and pressed leaders 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, led inside final 110yds, won going away

5/1

3rd

2

(4)

11th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

14:10 Carlisle

Bustaam

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

slowly away, held up in rear, steady headway from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge

5/1

6th

2

(4)

29th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

15:20 Hamilton

Bustaam

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won on reappearance at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) in March and fair third at Haydock (1m4f, soft) on Saturday when back on slow ground; might not be far away if this run doesn't come too soon.

7/2

Form: 00-976 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
He's 10lb lower than when winning at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last June but his form has gone the wrong way and he's struggled to get competitive on this season's Flat outings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:40 Southwell

Natchez Trace

10st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

Four Flat wins but he hasn't achieved much at big prices in two handicap hurdles, at 2m1f and 2m7f; no great appeal this time, either.

40/1

8

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:40 Southwell

Natchez Trace

10st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

Four Flat wins but he hasn't achieved much at big prices in two handicap hurdles, at 2m1f and 2m7f; no great appeal this time, either.

40/1

6th

1

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Natchez Trace

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

in rear

16/1

Form: 23-003 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Having dropped below his last winning mark he returned to form when third at Newbury (1m4f, good) eight days ago; won on soft ground last September on sole previous visit to Haydock and he's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(1)

10th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Western Stars

10st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jim Boyle

Knows how to win as he showed when successful from four rivals at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) last month, but he was allowed to dictate there and didn't back it up at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) a week ago (has won over that C&D); needs to bounce back.

6/1

7th

1

(1)

10th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Western Stars

10st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jim Boyle

Knows how to win as he showed when successful from four rivals at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) last month, but he was allowed to dictate there and didn't back it up at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) a week ago (has won over that C&D); needs to bounce back.

6/1

6th

6

(1)

3rd Dec 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:27 Lingfield (AW)

Western Stars

9st 11lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Jim Boyle

Recorded his sixth win when making all to justify favouritism off reduced mark at Wolverhampton (1m6f) 18 days ago; this is a deeper race but he's only 2lb higher than last time and has won over C&D in the past; could be a major force again.

4/1

Form: 0-4149

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Upped in trip for new yard this season and got up close home at Nottingham (1m2f, soft) last month; not at the same level the next twice (1m2f/1m4f, good) but could pose more of a threat now back on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(2)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Powerful Response

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoffrey Harker

Back to winning ways with a front-running C&D success 23 days ago (visored first time); up 2lb but should give it another good go.

5/1

1st

5

(3)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Powerful Response

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Two soft-ground turf wins, including one for this yard, but he acts on better ground and made the most of a good draw when close third of 15 at Nottingham (8.5f, good; Token Love seventh) in cheekpieces three weeks ago; that is just about the best recent form on offer and he's nicely berthed again; visor goes on and he's respected.

5/2

3rd

10

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

16:07 Nottingham

Powerful Response

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

First win was on AW but last two have come on turf (8.3f/1m2f, soft); had some close calls on Tapeta during the winter and he was a creditable fourth in big field at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) 11 days ago; could be in the mix again but he wouldn't want the ground to dry out.

8/1

Form: 3/13-7

Last run: 125 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut at Nottingham (1m2f, soft) last April and again ran well when third of four there (1m2f, heavy) the following month; then absent until January, when mid-division at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW); off again since but remains lightly raced and returns with conditions in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

26th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Punchestown

Eyetrap

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Aidan Melia

Good record of 2-7 on Flat; well beaten in two maiden hurdle starts, and not at his best when beaten 26l on AW latest; maybe one more for handicaps.

33/1

Form: 459-74 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Continues to drop down the weights and his recent fourth at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) was a step back in the right direction; however, he has a regressive profile and needs to build on that latest performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Molinari

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Won twice here last autumn, over 1m4f and over today's trip of 1m2f; hasn't won this season but he has dropped to a good mark and could go well.

6/1

7/1

Form: /4542-

Last run: 260 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Raced five times for Ralph Beckett, his best effort coming when second in handicap here (1m6f, good) last September; absent since but could have a part to play if coping with the ground on his stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:15 Carlisle

Alshadhian

10st 10lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

5yo who won at Southwell (2m, good) in June on second chase start and has been runner-up at Worcester (2m, good) on last two outings, bumping into an improved winner most recently; stayed well on the Flat and he's been shaping as though this step back up in trip could prompt further improvement.

3/1

2nd

5

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

13:37 Worcester

Alshadhian

12st 0lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Easy winner on second chase start at Southwell (2m, good) in June and can be forgiven his odds-on defeat a few days later; back on song with a C&D second to Rocks Up Late last month; up 1lb and needs a bit of luck in running but he's still open to progress and commands respect.

7/2

2

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Alshadhian

11st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Off the mark over fences at second attempt, cruising clear by 13l at Southwell (2m, good) in June; flopped when odds-on to follow up a few days later but has been given a longer break since and remains of strong interest.

5/1

Non-runners

Story Horse, Sutue Alshams

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.70
Straight Forecast £62.44
Tricast £398.96
Trifecta £344.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bustaam

NEWMARKET:

Eyetrap

Daily Mail:

Alshadhian

The Times:

Powerful Response

POSTDATA:

Corsican Caper

TOPSPEED:

Squeezebox

Daily Mirror:

Western Stars

Daily Record:

Eyetrap

RP RATINGS:

Bustaam

Telegraph:

Bustaam

The Star:

Bustaam

D Express:

Alshadhian

The Guardian:

Corsican Caper