September 05 / 16.17 Haydock

16.17

Good To Soft

Join Racing TV Now EBF Novice Stakes (Colts & Geldings)

  • Prize money: £7560
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Join Racing TV Now EBF Novice Stakes (Colts & Geldings)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
210,000euros breeze-up buy who didn't enjoy an ideal trip when winning at 8-1 on last month's debut at Newmarket (6f, good); he's a likeable prospect and a 7lb penalty may not stop him this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

16

(8)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Defence Minister

9st 3lb

J: James McDonald

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Record is 3-10; gelded prior to reappearance success at Kempton (7f, AW; looked better than ever) and had an excuse (raced in unfavoured group) when never landing a blow in the Victoria Cup over C&D since; could go well, provided this race pans out better.

25/1

17th

14

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Defence Minister

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Low-mileage 4yo who was gelded prior to justifying favouritism with 1l success at Kempton (7f) on AW/seasonal debut, opening his handicap account and taking overall record to 3-9; this Wathnan Racing runner may well be capable of further improvement; ties in closely with Mudbir on Sandown running last July; major contender.

15/2

1st

2

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:35 Kempton (AW)

Defence Minister

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Good efforts in 7f handicaps at Sandown and Goodwood last July; had excuses at Doncaster when last seen; been gelded since; on a good mark but this free-going sort could do with settling better.

4/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for the winner but still showed considerable promise when runner-up at 3-1 on debut at Redcar (6f, good to firm) in July; this Middle Park entry could be sharper for that outing and he's one to consider today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(10)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:35 Redcar

Arabian Angel

9st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: K R Burke

taken down early, made all, took keen hold, switched to far side soon after start, going best 2f out, ridden and faced challenge final 110yds, kept on well towards finish, just did enough

3/1

2nd

3

(1)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:17 Haydock

Arabian Angel

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: K R Burke

No match for the winner but still showed considerable promise when runner-up at 3-1 on debut at Redcar (6f, good to firm) in July; this Middle Park entry could be sharper for that outing and he's one to consider today.

4/1

2

(2)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Arabian Angel

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

115,000gns foal and brother to useful 7f performer Night Raider; failed to justify favouritism at Redcar (6f, good to firm) but ran well in finishing clear of the rest behind Diablo Rojo who was a respectable sixth in Wednesday's Acomb; stepping up to 7f looks an obvious move.

14/1

Form: 81 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left debut run (6f, good to firm) well behind to win at Thirsk (6f, good) three weeks ago; needs another step forward today to defy a 7lb penalty but he was well backed last time and could continue to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(1)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:18 Pontefract

Dark Cloud Rising

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Bounced back from some lesser efforts when making all and scoring comfortably from a subsequent winner at Ripon (6f, good) 19 days ago; the visor may have helped and although similar tactics may not be so easy in this field, he doesn't have to lead; much respected from 6lb higher.

11/8

1st

4

(7)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Dark Cloud Rising

9st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Won three times last year (5f/6f, good/good to firm/AW), the third when wearing cheekpieces for the first time; disappointing this season, last time unseating his rider at the start in first-time visor which is retained.

9/1

4

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Dark Cloud Rising

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Had a solid 2025, winning three times (5f/6f), but hasn't finished in the first eight this year; dropping in the weights but needs to turn a corner; perhaps a change of headgear will help.

25/1

Form: 2

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Belied 22-1 odds when runner-up on recent debut at Windsor (6f, soft), albeit no match for the more experienced Godolphin favourite; that was a promising start and he could have a part to play today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Double Rush

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Smart handicapper who brings excellent stats, being 3-3 at Newmarket (on the other course, admittedly, but it bodes well) and 3-3 (much improved) this term for new yard; prevailed only narrowly in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently but seems on his way to becoming a Group performer; adds great interest.

8/1

1st

4

(24)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Double Rush

9st 9lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Andrew Balding

The talking horse in good 6f handicaps this spring and he delivered, coming clear with no fuss under Oisin Murphy at Newmarket (good) on yard debut and not having to work much harder under a penalty there (good to firm) in May for Shane Foley; 10lb higher than last time but could be on his way to better things.

9/2

1st

6

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:45 Newmarket

Double Rush

9st 6lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Andrew Balding

Promising for Charles Hills as a 3yo, winning a C&D handicap at the Craven meeting before a good third from a tricky draw at York; ended 2025 with a low-key run at Ascot but, having been switched to Andrew Balding's stable, he created a huge impression here 17 days ago, supported as though defeat was out of the question and winning accordingly; 8lb well in and looks a Group horse in waiting; obvious chance for the stable that won this prize in 2021 and 2024.

10/11

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
By Night Of Thunder; first foal; dam 6f 2yo Group 3 winner from classy family; thrown into a tough race on debut but he represents last year's winning yard and is bred to be talented; no surprise to see a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(3)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newbury

Maelstrom

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won his first three handicaps, all over 6f on good ground or quicker; couldn't complete the four-timer in a warm 3yo sprint at York in June, but he travelled well through that race and doubt he's handicapped out of things just yet; suitability of soft ground has to be taken on trust but he remains of interest for a top stable.

13/2

7th

18

(15)

14th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 York

Maelstrom

8st 6lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Modest form as a 2yo but he's taken off in handicaps this year, winning by a wide margin at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) in April and following up at Haydock four days later; another step up the ladder when comfortably seeing off his ten rivals back at Haydock (again 6f on good) three weeks ago; a 4lb rise looks lenient and he's high on the list now upped in class.

11/2

4

(5)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Haydock

Maelstrom

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Major improvement when winning by 4l on handicap/seasonal debut at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) last month and he followed up over this C&D (good) four days later; had just a neck to spare last time and is 6lb higher today, but this well-bred colt could have more left in the tank for his top yard.

15/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.80
Straight Forecast £4.60
Trifecta £10.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Defence Minister

POSTDATA:

Arabian Angel

TOPSPEED:

Dark Cloud Rising

The Times:

Maelstrom

RP RATINGS:

Defence Minister

NEWMARKET:

Defence Minister

Telegraph:

Defence Minister

The Guardian:

Defence Minister

D Express:

Defence Minister

Daily Mirror:

Defence Minister

The Sun:

Defence Minister

Daily Record:

Defence Minister

THE NORTH:

Arabian Angel

Daily Mail:

Arabian Angel

The Star:

Dark Cloud Rising