June 08 / 13.50 Haydock

13.50

Good

Betfred Passionate About Sport Achilles Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £31190.5
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Betfred Passionate About Sport Achilles Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 0130-9

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won a Group 3 and two Listed races last year (all 6f) prior to close third in Group 1 Sprint Cup here (6f, good) in September; down the field in hot Group 1s the last twice and this drop back to 5f may not be ideal, but the lower grade and strong gallop will be in her favour and she could run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(11)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Believing

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

In foal to Frankel; sold to new owners for 3,000,000gns last December and broke her Group 1 duck with Meydan success (6f) on reappearance; didn't live up to market expectations returned to 5f at Royal Ascot, albeit not ideally drawn; normally consistent and made the frame in several top sprints prior to her Dubai performance; likely to rebound.

9/1

14

(1)

17th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Believing

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

Very reliable mare who stood a tough 2024 season with fortitude, regularly on the premises in the top sprints, including when fourth, having every chance, in this one (the first of two runs at the meeting); she achieved more when going down only narrowly from a poor draw in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (5f, good to firm) in August; sold for 3,000,000gns in December; returned to action with a Group 1 win at Meydan (6f) in April and she looks set for another big run at the top level.

9/2

2nd

13

(1)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Believing

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

raced far side, midfield, headway inside final furlong, went second inside final 110yds, ran on well towards finish

7/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 412-80 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Unraced at 5f and carries 3lb penalty; below par in Group 3 and Group 2 races this season but there's less strength in depth in this race and he won a Group 3 and two Listed races last year (6f, good/good to soft); he's not short of pace and could bounce back to form with a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Pontefract

Commanche Falls

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Not the force of old but a fire still burns and his third at Ripon in August came off 4lb higher; shouldn't be judged harshly on latest Ayr run and no surprise to see him bounce back with a big effort.

14/1

16th

6

(22)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Commanche Falls

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Heroic sprinter down the years, winning the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood in 2021 (soft) and 2022, and runner-up in the Gold Cup as a 5yo; harder to place now but was checked in his run at York in July and was a creditable third at Ripon after; not so good in a small field at Thirsk since but this type of race suits him better; refitted blinkers replace cheekpieces.

33/1

8th

5

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Commanche Falls

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

His last success was three years ago, but he was a Group 3 winner in his prime and he ran well to finish third off this reduced mark at Ripon (6f, good) last month; could be dangerous if he can back that up and two of his wins have come over C&D.

5/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 21-749 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Only sixth in this last year and below par in York handicap last time; his slow starts are also a concern but perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will help him break sharper; each-way case can be made on form such as his fourth of 17 off top weight in a handicap at York (5f, good) two runs ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

25

(9)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Korker

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: K R Burke

On a losing run but smart at this level on his day, as when coming home like a lion to take a late third in the Gold Cup in 2024; he retained plenty of ability in 2025 and although some way off his usual level this year he might well revive off a handy mark now visored with soft ground helpful.

25/1

8th

3

(6)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Korker

9st 11lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Hasn't won for a good while now but subsequent Newcastle run confirmed he retains a good chunk of ability and he was drawn wide last time at Chester; appealingly handicapped and enjoys slow ground, so unwise to ignore.

11/1

8th

8

(9)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Korker

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

On a long losing run but he has dropped to a dangerous mark and his latest Newcastle run confirmed he retains a good chunk of ability, surging to the front 1f out but failing to see out the stiff 7f; this easier test should suit and he can't be discounted.

10/1

Form: 34136-

Last run: 203 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Needs a career best and a longer trip is probably preferable; however, there's lots of pace in the field and this hold-up mare should be finishing to good effect; won Listed fillies' race at Ayr (5.5f, good to soft) last September before Group 3 third at Ascot (6f, good); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(12)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:48 Newcastle (AW)

Pink Crystal

9st 0lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

dwelt start, switched left soon after start, in rear

33/1

6th

11

(12)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:48 Newcastle (AW)

Pink Crystal

9st 0lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

dwelt start, switched left soon after start, in rear, outpaced and pushed along halfway, some headway when short of room over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous

33/1

9th

6

(4)

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:50 Newmarket

Pink Crystal

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Ended 4yo turf season with two very good runs, winning an Ayr Listed race (good to soft) and close up in a Group 3 at Ascot (6f, good); not obviously bet-worthy on this year's form but it's possible she'll sing a different tune for the first-time tongue-tie.

12/1

Form: 4144-2 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who enjoyed an excellent campaign last year, the highlight his Group 1 Nunthorpe win at York (5f, good to firm) in August; reappeared with close second in the Group 2 Temple Stakes over this C&D (soft) a fortnight ago and he's very much the one to beat in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(9)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Live In The Dream

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Adam West

Close second to Kerdos in the Temple Stakes at Haydock (soft) on seasonal debut; lesser efforts in races won by Believing and Makarova since, last time under change of tactics (normally a front-runner); peak performance remains his win in last year's Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (good to firm).

10/1

4th

5

(9)

6th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Live In The Dream

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Adam West

Front-runner who enjoyed an excellent campaign last year, the highlight his Group 1 Nunthorpe win at York (5f, good to firm); not quite at his best yet this season, but a close second in the Group 2 Temple at Haydock (5f, soft) was no disgrace and he stumbled leaving the stalls when a beaten favourite last time; tops the ratings and commands major respect.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: -39122 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
4yo who has been better than ever for his new yard this year, winning Chester handicap (5f, good) last month and showing blazing speed when caught close home in the Dash Handicap at Epsom (5f, good to soft) last Saturday; clearly thriving and holds each-way claims now back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Redcar

Democracy Dilemma

10st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Robert Cowell

Free-going front-runner; no longer the force of old but ran big race when fourth of 23 at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good) last week; 1lb lower here and could be hard to catch if in similar form again.

13/8

4th

5

(7)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Democracy Dilemma

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner; 3lb lower than for his runaway win at Haydock last September (5f, good) but hasn't got a lot going in his last four races and was tailed off in Epsom's Dash, in which he was second in 2024; others preferred.

25/1

14/1

Form: 78-200

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Effective over 5f and on various ground; won French Group 3 last April and reappeared with close Listed second at Doncaster this March; however, down the field in Group races the last twice and needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Marshman

9st 11lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Close third in Listed company at Wolverhampton last month on his first attempt at 7f and he wasn't beaten for a lack of stamina; not at his best in a hot sprint handicap at Newcastle on Good Friday; no surprise to see him bounce back with a big run.

10/1

8th

5

(9)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Marshman

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Did well in early 2025 on AW, winning a C&D handicap in good style and following up in Listed company at Lingfield; finished third in the corresponding race 12 months ago when rated 5lb higher; running himself back into form this winter, most recently a close third over 7f four weeks ago, and he looks primed to give Clifford Lee a winning return to the saddle.

6/1

3rd

4

(6)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 1

15:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Marshman

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Strong AW form in the first half of 2025; awkward leaving the stalls in his two runs this winter and the form has been well short of his best; steps up to 7f for the first time.

6/1

Form: 09-185 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won Newmarket handicap (5f, good) on reappearance and was creditable fifth of 17 in York handicap (5f, good) last time; however, he looks out of his depth now back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(7)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Redcar

Tees Spirit

9st 3lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Adrian Nicholls

Useful in his prime (won the Dash and an Irish Listed race in 2022), but far more miss than hit in recent times and soundly beaten on belated reappearance last week; best watched.

33/1

9th

6

(6)

26th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:20 Southwell (AW)

Tees Spirit

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Adrian Nicholls

A winner first time out three times in previous seasons but he's getting on now and has been absent for a year; has a bit to overcome then, especially as he looked on the downgrade last season and has only run twice on the AW.

25/1

6

(5)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Tees Spirit

9st 1lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Adrian Nicholls

Capable 5f performer on his day but has not made the frame in six runs this year; a slow start meant he couldn't adopt his usual front-running tactics at York five weeks ago, and his mark is tumbling, but he's risky.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.30
Straight Forecast £53.94
Trifecta £457.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Live In The Dream

NEWMARKET:

Believing

D Express:

Believing

RP RATINGS:

Live In The Dream

TOPSPEED:

Live In The Dream

POSTDATA:

Live In The Dream

The Times:

Live In The Dream

Telegraph:

Live In The Dream

The Guardian:

Live In The Dream

Daily Mail:

Live In The Dream

Daily Mirror:

Live In The Dream

The Star:

Live In The Dream

Daily Record:

Live In The Dream