July 06 / 14.05 Haydock

14.05

Good

bet365 Handicap

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 6f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV
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bet365 Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 4-2231

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ran well this year in his first three handicaps (1m2f-1m4f, good) before an improved performance to win at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; he's up 7lb but he galloped on relentlessly last time and could have more to offer now up in trip for a stable that won this in 2018 and 2019.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

2024 C&D winner who broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared with restored cheekpieces at Kempton (2m, AW) in March; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) confirmed that he's turned a corner and must remain in serious calculations.

3/1

2nd

5

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Align The Stars

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Thereabouts on occasions in 2025, crept down the weights and broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared five weeks ago wearing restored cheekpieces in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW); back up 4lb but showed plenty of bottle in that win and may have turned a corner.

6/1

1st

4

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 9lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

On a losing run of 13 since his hat-trick in summer 2024; has dropped in the weights, was thereabouts on occasions in 2025 and it can be argued that today's headgear switch will help, but there's a bit for him to prove on AW (it's only his third AW race) and others have more pressing claims.

12/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 68-313 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut at Ascot (1m2f, good) in May and stayed on for good third behind Align The Stars and Hampden at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) last time; he finished to good effect and this half-brother to 1m6f/1m7f Listed winner Angel Guidance could relish today's longer distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(7)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Too Bossy For Us

8st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: W P Mullins

Useful on the Flat, although sole win came back in 2024, narrowly beaten here over 2m last summer; equally talented hurdler, but some stiff tasks of late; market likely informative back on the Flat.

8/1

6th

9

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

16:15 Punchestown

Too Bossy For Us

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

One of three for yard; Useful on the Flat; off the mark over hurdles in a C&D maiden in February (sft-hvy); beaten 11.5l when midfield in the Supreme at Cheltenham (when Townend rode) and raced keenly before pulled up in the Fairyhouse Grade 2 won by Koktail Brut latest; overlooked by Townend here.

20/1

8

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:40 Fairyhouse

Too Bossy For Us

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Useful Flat handicapper; finished in mid-field in the 2025 Triumph on hurdling debut; easy winner of a Punchestown maiden in January; second-best of a disappointing Irish contingent when sixth in the Supreme Novices; giving him a slight edge over Koktail Brut.

11/2

66/1

  • Place: £15.30

Form: 337169

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to win at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) in May and he might tap back into that promise when back on better ground; however, he's suffered heavy defeats the last twice (1m2f/1m4f, good to soft) and others appeal more as a result.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(10)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Flickering Halo

9st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Recent form has been patchy, but he's now 5lb lower than when winning over C&D in May; each-way claims if he can reproduce that sort of form; stable also runs Hosanna Power.

16/1

2

(10)

19th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Flickering Halo

10st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Both wins at 1m2f, on good to firm and the AW; third at Beverley last month before struggling in a Class 4; could go well, though has mostly steered clear of slow ground.

14/1

Form: -62120

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Easy win at Salisbury (1m4f, soft) in May on second handicap start before good second to Wild Waves at Doncaster (14.5f, good); he's much better than he showed at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) and wears first-time headgear today, but it's hard to be confident in his claims after last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

25th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Newmarket

East India Dock

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: James Owen

One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat for the Chester Cup (2m2f) in May; respectable efforts off 8lb higher when sixth of 20 in the Ascot Stakes and Northumberland Plate in June; freshened up since; needs improvement to win at this level.

5/1

6th

4

(14)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

East India Dock

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Owen

One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat for the Chester Cup (2m2f) in May; sixth off this 8lb higher mark at Royal Ascot (2m4f) was right up with that form and he's a player if this AW surface (sole race on one was as 2yo, finished last) proves suitable.

6/1

6th

7

(18)

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

East India Dock

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Owen

One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat in 15-runner Chester Cup (2m2f, good) over five weeks ago, never far away before strength of stamina took him to the front inside the final 1f; below-form outsider last April/June on his only two starts on good to firm (one at this meeting); up 8lb since Chester but may well be capable of another advance if the ground is okay.

9/2

Form: 3-1658

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won Wolverhampton novice (1m4f, AW) in April; today's handicap debut provides a more realistic opportunity than the Group and Listed races he's contested since, but he hasn't shown enough to suggest he's well treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

5

(1)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Pappano

9st 3lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: W P Mullins

2-8 on Flat for the Gosdens, gelded before showing useful form twice (once on Tapeta) staying on over 1m6f last September/October; sold for 200,000gns in October into the premier jumps yard and made his hurdle debut in the Triumph at Cheltenham no less, showing his jumping inexperience however and pulled up at 150-1; this should be much more his cup of tea.

13/2

18

(4)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Pappano

9st 3lb

T: W P Mullins

Reserve; two AW wins last year for Gosden yard (1m4f/1m6f); 0-5 on Flat turf and pulled up on stable/hurdle debut in March when thrown in at deep end in the Triumph; however, his top Irish jumps trainer has won the last two runnings of this race (also saddles Charlus) and he could have a part to play.

8/1

6th
12 (10)
Tryfan

14/1

Form: 3-521

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Improved form when winning on handicap debut at Newcastle (12.4f, AW) last Thursday; had shown some promise on turf previously; needs another step forward now 5lb higher in a much better race, but he looked a promising staying prospect last time and his trainer won this in 2021; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

14th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Salisbury

Tryfan

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Harry Charlton

Three-time winner whose sole success on turf came over C&D (good to firm) just under one year ago; also scored off this mark on AW (1m6f) in September but has been very in and out on last four starts, including when tried in a hood (removed) and beaten 32l in valuable AW event last time; drops back down in grade from lower turf mark and can make presence felt if on a going day.

12/1

11th

11

(4)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Tryfan

8st 10lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Charlton

Inconsistent since finishing second in the Northumberland Vase over C&D last June and well beaten over C&D in January, but back on song when second at Chelmsford (1m6f) in February; capable of a bold show in a first-time hood.

11/1

2nd

1

(5)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Tryfan

10st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Harry Charlton

Comfortably won at Southwell (1m6f, AW) in September off a 5lb lower mark than today's; respectable effort there over 1m4f following a short break but he was disappointing at Newcastle (2m, AW) 27 days ago; drops in grade and could bounce back.

3/1

20/1

Form: 026123 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden handicap at Redcar (1m6f, soft) in May and has run well in defeat the next twice, most recently third of six in a blanket finish at Doncaster (14.5f, good to firm); however, those last three runs have come in Class 5s and he's probably vulnerable today against classier opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Filibustering

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Harry Derham

Tongue-tie went on for six-runner handicaps on his last two hurdle races (2m1f/2m) and he won them both; his last Flat race was in 2024 for Tim Easterby and that was a pretty solid campaign; acts on Tapeta, unraced on Polytrack; needs to be at his best on return to Flat but no shock if he's a major player.

6/1

1st

2

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

18:45 Hexham

Filibustering

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harry Derham

Back to form in first-time tongue-tie when winning at Newcastle last time (2m1f, good; third has since won on the Flat); up 4lb; chance.

9/4

1st

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

Filibustering

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harry Derham

Hasn't kicked on since making winning hurdles/stable debut at Kelso (2m, juvenile) in March 2025, failing to see out races at Doncaster, Kelso, and Ludlow; hopes are pinned on a revival with an added tongue-tie; trainer is 5-11 (45%) over jumps here in the last five years.

5/1

Form: 5-1114

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won in the spring on first three handicap starts (1m4f/1m2f, including on good to soft) and another big run when fourth of 19 in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm), despite pulling hard early; finished strongly and this longer trip could prompt further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Fouroneohfever

12st 0lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Useful handicapper on the Flat for George Boughey; off the mark on fourth hurdle start when taking Ludlow handicap in good style last time; drying ground suits; should go well despite 9lb rise.

9/4

1st

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:20 Ludlow

Fouroneohfever

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Four wins for George Boughey at 1m2f/1m4f and useful in that scene; wouldn't have won but displayed some ability until falling at Sandown on hurdles debut in January; also offered something to work on in two starts the following month; Flat form makes this opening hurdle mark look dangerous.

6/5

4th

2

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:45 Newbury

Fouroneohfever

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Four wins for George Boughey at 1m2f/1m4f and useful in that scene (effective on soft); wouldn't have won when falling at Sandown and then no match for a dark horse at Southwell; highly likely that he'll need more here.

10/1

Form: 34-36 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Promise when making the frame on first three runs (1m1f/1m2f); soundly beaten when favourite for last month's handicap debut at Sandown (1m2f) but this Sea The Stars filly is a close relation to 1m6f Listed winner Vivid Diamond, and is not ruled out now up in trip in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(2)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:07 Lingfield (AW)

Games People Play

9st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Badly hampered here one year ago in her only AW race; eighth attempt, and her first in this third type of headgear, when off the mark from the front in a novice at Nottingham (1m6f, soft) two weeks ago; there was limited improvement in that performance and she needs a great deal more today.

14/1

11th

7

(2)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:07 Lingfield (AW)

Games People Play

9st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Badly hampered here one year ago in her only AW race; eighth attempt, and her first in this third type of headgear, when off the mark from the front in a novice at Nottingham (1m6f, soft) two weeks ago; there was limited improvement in that performance and she needs a great deal more today.

14/1

5

(6)

30th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:38 Nottingham

Games People Play

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Well established as a fair maiden, good second at Carlisle (1m3f, soft) in second-time cheekpieces on penultimate start; a lesser show in blinkers one month ago sees her in a visor today; probably placed at best even if straight back to form.

4/1

10th
9 (2)
Hampden

14/1

Form: 2-3272

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
0-7 but beaten just a nose by Fouroneohfever at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in April and kept on well when second to Align The Stars at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; he's an each-way possible now up in trip, provided he handles the ground (unproven on good or faster).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

30th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Lingfield (AW)

Hampden

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Tom Ward

Placed in five of his eight starts including all three on the Wolverhampton Tapeta (9.5f/1m4f); well held in a valuable Haydock handicap (1m6f, good) last time, but he was kicked at the start and lost a shoe; back in much quiter waters here and looks the one to beat.

15/8

10th

9

(2)

6th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Hampden

9st 0lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Tom Ward

0-7 but beaten just a nose by Fouroneohfever at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in April and kept on well when second to Align The Stars at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; he's an each-way possible now up in trip, provided he handles the ground (unproven on good or faster).

14/1

2nd

7

(7)

16th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 3

17:15 Thirsk

Hampden

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Tom Ward

Unfortunate not to open his account when headed in the final stride on handicap debut at Wolverhampton AW (1m4f) in April; not so good on return to turf at York (1m4f, good) last month; withdrawn on account of the ground (good to firm) since; still needs to prove his effectiveness on turf.

14/1

6/1

Form: 44-511

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won in a first-time hood (retained since) on handicap debut at Kempton (1m4f, AW) in May and followed up at Doncaster (14.5f, good); he's in a hotter race today and 7lb higher than last time, but is clearly progressive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(10)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Wild Waves

10st 2lb

J: Hugh Bowman

T: Andrew Balding

Progressive handicapper last season who ended up in the St Leger, perhaps a little flattered by that bare result as the form has not been repeated; third in the 2m5f Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot on penultimate outing was clearly his most competitive show this season and gives hope, but he flopped at Newbury on latest.

5/1

3

(4)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Wild Waves

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Andrew Balding

Progressive handicapper last season and ended up in the St Leger; perhaps a little flattered by that bare result, as the form has not been repeated, but third in the 2m5f Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot on latest outing was clearly his most competitive show this season and gives hope; more to prove on softer than good but overall he looks of renewed interest.

4/1

11

(11)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Wild Waves

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Regularly hooded and goes on all ground; progressive 1m4f/1m6f handicapper last season and ended up in the St Leger (wasn't disgraced, beaten 7l); hasn't really got anything going this year since gelded, last time finishing last of four runners in an Italian Listed race (1m4f); every chance on the figures if rediscovering his mojo and seeing out the trip, but there are doubts on both counts.

9/2

25/1

Form: 414-7

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Bolted up at Beverley (7.4f, soft) last September on second start but failed to reproduce that promise at Goodwood (7f, soft) seven days later and was well beaten in a Listed race there (1m2f, good) on reappearance; others have much stronger credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(7)

29th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

13:42 Catterick

Local Arms

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

led, switched to near side over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened

6/1

5th

6

(7)

29th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

13:42 Catterick

Local Arms

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

led, switched to near side over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened

6/1

5th

9

(3)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket

Local Arms

8st 5lb

J: William Pyle

T: K R Burke

Bolted up at Beverley (7.4f, soft) last September on second start but no sign of that form in her three races since; off since tailed off at 50-1 on handicap debut in valuable 1m6f race at Haydock in July.

33/1

Form: 321

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Promising third on debut at Windsor (1m2f, good to soft) in April before going close at Nottingham (1m2f, good), then easily won at 4-9 at Hamilton (1m3f, good to firm); thrown in at the deep end for his handicap debut but his dam was a 1m6f Group 3 winner and his top trainer has won three of the last four runnings, so he has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Dramatic Star

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Improved last year without quite winning; each-way claims if back to best with first-time headgear after two rather disappointing runs in 2026.

9/2

7th

5

(9)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Not quite at his best at Kempton last month but that came after 94 days off and he could improve for it; held up in slowly run race at Kempton in October when 2l fourth on his sole previous crack at 2m, and he may yet be capable of better at this sort of trip; has won here and could be involved.

11/2

6th

2

(6)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:37 Kempton (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Won twice in 2024, including over 1m4f on Tapeta; had only five runs last year but he went close on two occasions, including in a Class 2 at Southwell (1m4f) in November; 2lb higher on his return but he hit a personal best last time and he's a key player on this drop back in grade.

3/1

Non-runners

My Noble Lord

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £73.00
Straight Forecast £58.00
Tricast £6654.86
Trifecta £8285.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dramatic Star

TOPSPEED:

Filibustering

The Times:

Games People Play

Daily Mail:

Fouroneohfever

NEWMARKET:

My Noble Lord

POSTDATA:

Align The Stars

Daily Mirror:

Wild Waves

RP RATINGS:

Dramatic Star

Telegraph:

Dramatic Star

The Sun:

Dramatic Star

The Star:

Dramatic Star

Daily Record:

Dramatic Star

D Express:

Filibustering

The Guardian:

Games People Play