July 06 / 16.25 Haydock

16.25

Good

Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

  • Prize money: £27000
  • 0m 7f 37y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
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Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 540610 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Back to winning ways at Epsom (7f, good to soft) in May; ground quicker than ideal for him when midfield in Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot since and treated as if still in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Rhoscolyn

9st 3lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Last year's Golden Mile win at Goodwood (strong record there) shows he's still smart on his day; respectable return to action when fifth in good conditions race over 7f here three weeks ago but he's gained the vast majority of his ten career wins on slower ground than he's likely to encounter this afternoon.

14/1

Form: 201330

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Game win at Newcastle on AW finals day; creditable third in good-quality 1m Newbury handicaps (good to soft/good) on next two starts; below par when encountering going firmer than good for the first time in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot 17 days and capable of bouncing back here; raced mainly at 1m but he was a good second over 7f on AW last November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(7)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 3

17:00 Windsor

Talis Evolvere

9st 6lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Richard Hannon

Five-time AW scorer who is only 1-19 on turf; admittedly faced a stiffer task in Class 2 event returned to grass last time and this looks more suitable; mark is workable.

14/1

11th

14

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Talis Evolvere

8st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

1-18 on turf but his only two appearances at this track saw him take third in the Spring Cup and this race in 2024; operating a bit below that level since last August, which, despite some AW success, has to put him down the pecking order in such a hot race.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9-6010 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Suited by the return to a bare 7f when making all at Goodwood (good) last month but last of 26 in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(9)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

18:25 Haydock

Finns Charm

10st 4lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Seemingly back in prime form when making all at Goodwood (7f, good) in June but cut little ice in major handicaps on next two outings; sure to appreciate this ease in grade but still has something to prove.

11/2

17th

8

(15)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Finns Charm

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Holds poor claims, having trailed home last of 26 in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot most recently; again incurs a penalty for his Goodwood success earlier in June.

33/1

Form: 472242

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Series of good 6f runs before rattling home to be best of the rest behind English Oak in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (good to firm) on his first attempt at 7f; bold show likely if in similar form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Billyjoh

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His losing sequence goes back 22 races to February 2024; however, he's often run well in the interim and he's been given a bit of help from the handicapper ahead of this reappearance; can be in the mix if fully tuned up.

10/1

8th

11

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Billyjoh

8st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

5yo whose 31 starts have been at 5f-7f and his losing spell goes back to February 2024; however, he's run many big races in the interim, most recently at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in August when finishing strongly for a share of third, and on that evidence this first crack at 1m is well worth a go.

8/1

Form: 95383-

Last run: 280 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Reliable in defeat last season but this a rather belated return to action (had wind surgery) and a watching brief is the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Empirestateofmind

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Multiple wins at 1m and 1m1f (good or softer) include two over C&D; quite favourably treated now and he was a very respectable fourth at Ripon recently, when just behind a subsequent winner; needs a bit more here.

16/1

4th

2

(6)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins last year (1m/1m1f, good/soft); the last of them came in a seller and he was well beaten on last month's reappearance at Doncaster, but that was the competitive Spring Mile and he may have needed the run; won this in 2022 and he's not discounted off a handy mark.

10/1

Form: 97-590

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Four wins in France; ran promisingly in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to soft) on British debut but has failed to back that up at York and Royal Ascot since, albeit in strong races; drops back to 7f now (below par on previous attempt in France).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

9

(2)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Mirsky

8st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

7yo who has returned in top form this term, finishing third at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) then winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) 12 days ago; effective over C&D; could be bang there once more up 3lb for last time.

9/1

1st

8

(8)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Mirsky

9st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Hit a hot spell at the beginning of last summer, winning over C&D (good to firm) before following up at the Epsom Derby meeting (8.5f, good to soft); creditable third (Sea Force sixth) of 12 on Musselburgh reappearance (1m1f, good) three weeks ago; likely to be competitive again.

8/1

Form: 12-603

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Went close in the Group 2 Mill Reef at Newbury (6f, heavy) on his final 2yo start; more useful efforts in defeat at Listed/Group 3 level at up to 7f this year and could find life a bit easier now dropping into a handicap for the first time; the cheekpieces he wore when third at Salisbury last time are retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(11)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Ayr

Mister Sketch

10st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Hasn't fulfilled the promise of his 2023 2yo campaign but he was a close third off this mark at Salisbury four weeks ago (6f, heavy) and will be bang there if repeating that form.

5/1

1

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:45 Salisbury

Mister Sketch

9st 11lb

J: Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Won a 2yo novice over C&D in 2023 when with Eve Johnson Houghton; mixed results since and ran very moderately on his return to Britain in a 6f handicap at Ripon.

12/1

11th

1

(8)

4th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

Mister Sketch

9st 13lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Runaway win in a 2yo novice at Salisbury (6f, good) for Eve Johnson Houghton in 2023; mixed results in eight runs since but he was a front-running third in a conditions race in Qatar (7f) in May; on dangerous mark now back in Britain and he's not ruled out on this return to sprinting.

12/1

Form: -11598 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
At the top of his game with two 7f wins on softer than good in the spring; his form has dipped the last twice but his solid C&D record provides hope that he could stage a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:55 Ayr

Liamarty Dreams

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Has won on soft ground and he's now 8lb lower than when runner-up at Leicester (7f, good to firm) in June; however, he's finished no better than seventh across his five outings since.

12/1

6

(9)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Liamarty Dreams

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Respectable second at Leicester in June but far from consistent otherwise this year and losing spell goes back to spring 2024; not particularly solid.

16/1

12

(10)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:55 Haydock

Liamarty Dreams

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

C&D winner who was beaten just 1l when second at Leicester in June and is now 6lb lower; however, soundly beaten on his three runs since (C&D last time) and the first-time visor needs to prompt a revival.

33/1

Form: 0-2101 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Two AW wins over this trip since joining George Boughey, latterly at Kempton in April; had form on turf for his previous stable; given who trains him it wouldn't be any surprise were he to pull out more again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(7)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Oliver Show

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Useful on his day but losing run is mounting up and two duck eggs this year leave a question mark over his current form; chance partly depends on how well he responds to the removal of usual cheekpieces.

7/1

14th

20

(21)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Oliver Show

8st 13lb

J: James Doyle

T: George Boughey

Showed his effectiveness over a straight 1m when beaten a nose in the 2025 Lincoln at Doncaster (good to soft) and he's now 3lb lower; several respectable efforts afterwards, and 6f on good ground was probably too sharp on his sole outing in Bahrain over the winter; certainly well handicapped on best form and well worth a market check after 106 days off.

20/1

15

(22)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Oliver Show

8st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

0-10 on turf but he went very close behind Godwinson in the Lincoln (1m, good to soft) in March and is also effective on good ground; denied a clear run when keeping on for a close seventh of 12 at Newcastle (7f, AW) three weeks ago and he's one to be interested in now back up in trip.

25/1

Form: 9-6011 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Arrives on a hat-trick after wins at Nottingham (1m, good) and Chester (7f, good to soft) in May; another 4lb rise demands more but he can't be discounted in his current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(21)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Spirit Genie

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Ended winless 2025 campaign with a placed effort in an above-average seller; starts his 2026 season off 8lb below his last winning mark but chance partly depends on the weather as he's best on ground softer than good.

20/1

4

(12)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 2

17:10 Nottingham

Spirit Genie

9st 2lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

All five wins have been on good or slower including over C&D; hasn't been at his best this season but there have been some respectable efforts and he didn't get the breaks in a hot seller at Chester (5l third of eighth) 12 days ago; continues to drop down the weights and he could be dangerous back in a handicap.

8/1

7

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:05 Chester

Spirit Genie

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jennie Candlish

All five wins have been on good or slower ground, but he hasn't been at his best this year and was beaten 7l in a Class 4 handicap here (7f, good) last Friday; down the list.

14/1

Form: 315-81 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Left a disappointing reappearance at Newbury well behind when winning a well-contested 3yo handicap at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; raised 5lb but he's progressive bar that blip at Newbury and might enhance the good record of 3yos in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(8)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Telemark

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Well suited by slow ground; attractively handicapped and his last two runs have both been promising, meeting trouble before finishing off strongly at Newcastle last month; high on the list.

4/1

4th

9

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Telemark

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

1lb lower than for his Doncaster win 12 months ago (7f, soft); several creditable runs in handicaps this season but he will need to pull out a bit more if he's to come out on top.

12/1

8

(5)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Telemark

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Not troubled the judge this season but hasn't been running badly, last time behind Native Warrior on the AW in late June; a triple winner on ground softer than good so connections have no doubt been waiting for some rain; worth considering.

14/1

Form: 8-6856 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
8yo who has been below par since a Chester win last May but he has a reduced mark to work with as a result and shaped as if in better form when sixth of 17 at York three weeks ago, travelling well but meeting trouble in the final 2f; this former C&D winner enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

7th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Boardman

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

3-13 at Chester (the wins over 7.6f) but the last time he scored anywhere was in May 2023; has his lowest mark since 2020 and a shout on plenty of 2024 form, but seasonal debut may not be his best moment.

10/1

10

(7)

7th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Boardman

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

3-13 at Chester (the wins over 7.6f) but the last time he scored anywhere was in May 2023; has his lowest mark since 2020 and a shout on plenty of 2024 form, but seasonal debut may not be his best moment.

10/1

3rd

5

(5)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

17:40 Haydock

Boardman

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Dual course winner who went close over C&D last month but he's been disappointing since including a laboured effort back here last time; losing run is now up to 15 and others are more convincing.

16/1

Betting Forcast

12/1 Rhoscolyn, 11/1 Talis Evolvere, 16/1 Finns Charm, 7/2 Billyjoh, 22/1 Empirestateofmind, 14/1 Mirsky, 9/1 Mister Sketch, 16/1 Liamarty Dreams, 15/2 Oliver Show, 8/1 Spirit Genie, 7/2 Telemark, 9/1 Boardman

Verdict

Three of the four runnings of this race have gone the way of 3yos and Thirsk winner TELEMARK gets a narrow vote over Buckingham Palace runner-up Billyjoh. Talis Evolvere and the well-handicapped Boardman also make the shortlist. [Andrew Sheret]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Telemark

The Guardian:

Billyjoh

TOPSPEED:

Rhoscolyn

Telegraph:

Mister Sketch

Daily Mail:

Oliver Show

The Sun:

Spirit Genie

The Star:

Mirsky

RP RATINGS:

Telemark

POSTDATA:

Telemark

NEWMARKET:

Telemark

The Times:

Telemark

Daily Record:

Telemark

Daily Mirror:

Billyjoh

D Express:

Rhoscolyn