August 09 / 20.32 Haydock

20.32

Good To Firm

Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 6f 212y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 767477

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all five runs for David O'Meara since May and remains without a win since 2yo debut, but not beaten far when seventh of 17 at York (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago, having encountered traffic over 1f out, and continues to edge down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(11)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Great Max

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

bumped start, midfield

10/1

11th

3

(2)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:14 Southwell (AW)

Great Max

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David O’Meara

Made a winning debut as a 2yo but beaten on his next 23 starts; revitalised by a drop into Class 5 company though, winning 7f handicaps at Haydock and Doncaster (impressed in a good Topspeed figure); up 7lb for last time but still has some handicapping scope.

7/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 617531 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent 6yo with very good 11-45 strike-rate; finished well to win a shade cosily in first-time blinkers at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and was nudged up only 2lb for that; will probably be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(3)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

19:15 Doncaster

Thapa Vc

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Mark Rimell

Ran three sound races in June, notably when 0.75l third over C&D (good to firm) then beaten a head at Bath next time (1m, good); below par on AW latest but has an each-way chance back on turf.

5/1

5th

3

(11)

8th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:20 Kempton (AW)

Thapa Vc

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Mark Rimell

Arrives in very good form without winning, a clear second of 11 in 1m Bath handicap 25 days ago; drawn wide but this course winner merits serious consideration with Oisin Murphy back up.

5/2

2nd

1

(4)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:02 Bath

Thapa Vc

9st 11lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Mark Rimell

Won two fast-ground C&D handicaps last season, both off higher marks than today's; threatening a win in recent starts and Jack Callan takes off a handy 3lb; unraced on slower than good ground.

4/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -70242 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Gained last season's course win over 1m but has been in good form over 7f lately, losing out only by a nose when second of 17 at York (good to firm) on latest outing two weeks ago; only 2lb higher here; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

14:13 Newcastle (AW)

Finbars Lad

9st 11lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: John & Sean Quinn

Only 2lb higher than for his front-running win at Chelmsford in July but he hasn't matched it in three runs since, including back at Chelmsford 17 days ago; others appeal more.

16/1

2

(3)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Chelmsford (AW)

Finbars Lad

9st 12lb

J: Neil Callan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Returned to winning form when making all over C&D in July; twice held on turf in the meantime, but one for the shortlist if the return here galvanises him.

10/1

10/1

Form: 4-3543 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner who has made the frame on both starts since returned to turf in June, latterly when third at Chester (7.6f, good) last month; seemed to have no excuses from the plum inside stall there but ought to be competitive again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(7)

16th Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Saturnalia

9st 9lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: J S Moore

Couple of absences in recent times and he has regressed (well drawn when faring better in a soft-ground handicap last time); goes well here, though, and holds each-way claims.

12/1

4th

4

(7)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

19:25 Chepstow

Saturnalia

9st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: J S Moore

Both wins came on AW in 2023 when trained by Richard Hughes; has gone into freefall since and was last of 11 at Bath last month.

12/1

11th

4

(9)

4th May 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

13:45 Bath

Saturnalia

10st 11lb

J: Miss Scarlett Dorricott

T: J S Moore

Well handicapped on last season's best forrm (AW) but he ended the year with a whimper and returns from a 135-day break with an inexperienced amateur booked.

33/1

Form: 237821 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Made all to win readily by over 5l at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) ten days ago and is now 2-7 for Michael Appleby since the spring; may not be allowed things all his own way here but is 6lb ahead of the handicapper under his 5lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Newmarket (July)

Bell Shot

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Kickstarted 2026 with 6f success at Southwell off 2lb higher; respectable third of ten over 7f at Epsom (good) 17 days ago; successful on his previous outing over C&D; this prominent racer is capable of making a bold bid.

7/2

3rd

2

(6)

1st Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

20:42 Epsom

Bell Shot

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Michael Appleby

Kickstarted 2026 with 6f success at Southwell off 1lb higher; also good third of 11 in 7f Kempton handicap in May and better than eighth of 11 might suggest at Beverley ten days later, fading late after racing too keenly; Mason Paetel has won on him before; runner-up once from two outings over C&D and enters calculations.

13/2

8th

3

(9)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Bell Shot

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

Kickstarted 2026 with 6f success at Southwell and comes here on the back of a good third of 11 in 7f Kempton handicap; this three-time C&D scorer must enter calculations.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 25-094 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Came last on first two outings for new stable this season but belied 40-1 odds when creditable fourth of 17 at York (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and is 1lb lower here; must be considered after that recent effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(12)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

16:25 Doncaster

Desert Falcon

9st 10lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runner who performed with great credit on all five starts last season, including a win here (6.5f) in September and a narrow defeat in the Ayr Gold Cup (6f); returned after wind surgery with a low-key effort at York last month but he may have need that run and has claims if he can get back near best; acts on most ground and four of his six wins have been at 7f.

6/1

14th

8

(14)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Desert Falcon

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runner who performed with great credit on all five starts last season, finishing second at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) on his reappearance and beaten just a neck in the Ayr Gold Cup (6f, soft) when last seen; has had wind surgery since; no surprise if he makes a bold bid on this return.

16/1

24

(5)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Desert Falcon

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Front-runner; the winner of four of his last six starts, notably a game effort at Doncaster six days ago (6.5f, good to soft); a 5lb penalty for that hard-fought short-head success demands more but his fine attitude and abundant stamina will stand him in good stead on a rare 6f outing.

16/1

Form: 238100 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won twice on Tapeta in February and returned to turf with AW success at Chester (7.6f, good) in June, but two lesser efforts have followed and others in this field have more persuasive profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(8)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Berkshire Phantom

9st 6lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

His heyday was two winters back but he still won last July (1m1f on turf) and is often thereabouts, including on Tapeta; not totally ruled out despite the 106-day absence.

10/1

4th

1

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

15:52 Pontefract

Berkshire Phantom

9st 12lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Fionn McSharry

Landed a sixth success when winning a 12-runner handicap at Redcar (1m1f, good to soft) in July; kept at in when fourth at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) under a penalty six days later and excuses both starts since; very much respected.

7/2

3rd

4

(9)

2nd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Berkshire Phantom

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Fionn McSharry

Has won three times over 7f here; best run this year when winning over 1m1f at Redcar three runs back; stamina to prove on first run at 1m4f (can pull hard).

4/1

Form: 455485 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Much better known for his AW exploits but, following a break, kept on for very respectable fifth of 13 behind Thapa Vc off his lower turf mark at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last month; could have a say if that run has brought him on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(5)

14th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 80y

Class 5

16:05 Ffos Las

Follow Your Heart

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Mark Loughnane

Both turf wins have come at Doncaster where he beat only one home last time out (7f, good); that was his fourth disappointing run in succession.

20/1

11th

4

(3)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

16:40 Doncaster

Follow Your Heart

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Mark Loughnane

Both turf wins have come at Doncaster, the second in the corresponding event 12 months ago; wouldn't judge him too harshly on York last time and the return to this track and Class 5 company could see him rebound.

9/1

19th

16

(19)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Follow Your Heart

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Mark Loughnane

Behind on his only run here (2023); Doncaster last June saw his only turf win since 2021, amidst plenty of AW success admittedly but he was out of form in February when last seen; has a competitive mark but other cases look a bit more solid, particularly as he's drawn wide.

33/1

Form: 9-0005 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Started off for David O'Meara with three 7f wins last summer (all on good); well below that form this year but his keeping-on fifth at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) last month was a big step back in the right direction; interesting to see whether he can build on that recent effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:45 Thirsk

Capital Guarantee

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

A three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025, including over this C&D; mainly below his best this season but he didn't run too badly when sixth at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) 12 days ago; on a handy mark and now drops in grade.

5/1

6th

3

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:10 Beverley

Capital Guarantee

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

A three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025; mainly well below par this season though, only 14th in 1m1f York handicap last month; has it to prove at present.

25/1

14th

8

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Capital Guarantee

9st 3lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025; good second at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) in April but well beaten behind some of today's rivals on his two outings since.

33/1

16/1

Form: 110004 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won consecutive 7f starts at Wolverhampton (AW) in February/March but suffered a dip in form afterwards and, although his last-time-out fourth over that C&D was much more encouraging, he moves up from Class 6 for this turf return; swaps usual blinkers for first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

5th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bossy Parker

9st 4lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Winning for the third time at Wolverhampton, and his first over further than 7f, when landing a C&D handicap in March; his stamina looked stretched by 9.4f when fourth 18 days ago; not ruled out back down in distance.

5/2

4th

8

(5)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bossy Parker

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

His third win here when holding on grimly last month (8.6f), ending a two-year losing streak; only 2lb higher but he wouldn't be an obvious one to follow up and has never raced over quite this far.

12/1

1st

3

(3)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bossy Parker

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

All four wins at 7f, two on this track, but he lost out only narrowly over C&D in January (Lhebayeb third); found less over 1m at Newcastle (favourite) last month but is of more interest back at Wolverhampton.

5/1

Non-runners

Streak Lightning

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.20
Straight Forecast £27.01
Tricast £108.33
Trifecta £185.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Finbar's Lad

The Times:

Bell Shot

TOPSPEED:

Thapa Vc

D Express:

Capital Guarantee

SPOTLIGHT:

Desert Falcon

POSTDATA:

Finbar's Lad

Telegraph:

Finbar's Lad

The Guardian:

Finbar's Lad

The Star:

Finbar's Lad

Daily Mail:

Bell Shot

The Sun:

Bell Shot

Daily Record:

Bell Shot

Daily Mirror:

Thapa Vc