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

7

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

A tremendous campaigner over the years with two Stewards' Cups to his name; in and out this season and only twelfth in the Ayr Gold Cup three weeks ago, but he has clear possibilities on his fast-finishing second to stablemate Northern Ticker over C&D in August; 1lb lower today.

16/1

8

(16)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Commanche Falls

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Two years since his last win but this dual Stewards' Cup winner is more realistically treated these days and he gave his younger stablemate Northern Ticker a race at York last month; not so good at Doncaster last week and he will do well to win this race in his fourth attempt (seventh in 2021, runner-up in 2022 and sixth last year).

16/1

3

(2)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

15:00 Doncaster

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Hasn't won for just over two years and whether the extra half-furlong suits remains to be seen, but he kept on well for a head second of 20 at York (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago and that performance bodes well for a prominent showing today; versatile ground-wise.

13/2

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

6th

7

(11)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: K R Burke

Slow-starter; on a dangerous mark but he is without a win since October 2023 and one 7f run didn't see him improve for the trip.

28/1

10th

9

(13)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Useful on his day but is on a long losing run and has a doubt over current form; by no means sure to take advantage of a reduced mark.

25/1

8th

11

(6)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Well beaten at Doncaster on his return but he wasn't well drawn and has a modest record fresh; stepping up to 7f will give him more time to claw back the ground he's likely to forfeit at the start; on a dangerous mark and he's a lively outsider, for all his losing run stretches back to October 2023.

20/1

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

6th

2

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

17:40 Windsor

Democracy Dilemma

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner who looks well handicapped on his win at Haydock (5f, good) last autumn but he's been disappointing at Musselburgh and Goodwood this spring; has some questions to answer and he needs a major revival with headgear removed; stablemate of Rhythm N Hooves.

12/1

9th

1

(1)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Democracy Dilemma

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Robert Cowell

Useful front-runner who returned with a good third in 5f AW listed event at Lingfield in February; not at his best on soft ground at Musselburgh since but can bounce back here.

8/1

13th

1

(6)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Democracy Dilemma

9st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Robert Cowell

Tough 5f specialist who usually makes the running; a respectable third at Lingfield six weeks ago should have blown away the cobwebs; concedes weight all round but he's a classy type and should go well.

6/1

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

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

19th

4

(18)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Tees Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Smart front-runner on his day; the handicapper took a dim view of his Beverley win last September and he has found it tough going this time around, including at Redcar 11 days ago after a wind op; he is well handicapped again now though and should have a big run in him if his high draw proves no hindrance.

40/1

+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