September 06 / 14.00 Haydock

14.00

Good To Soft

Lee Thomas Christy Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
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Lee Thomas Christy Memorial Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.00
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 002922 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on three of his last four starts, most recently in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Ripon (5f, good) 11 days ago; last win came on soft ground; each-way contender off the same mark as last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(6)

19th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

17:17 Musselburgh

Our Absent Friends

9st 1lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

pressed leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final 110yds, lost two places towards finish

14/1

4th

8

(6)

19th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

17:17 Musselburgh

Our Absent Friends

9st 1lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

pressed leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final 110yds, lost two places towards finish

14/1

7th

6

(2)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Our Absent Friends

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Only seventh behind Castan over C&D two weeks ago; 4lb better off with that rival but others have more pressing claims.

14/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 845334 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
9yo whose losing streak goes all the way back to May 2021 but he's run some good races this year and is on a career-low mark; in with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(5)

19th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

17:17 Musselburgh

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Veteran who hasn't won as often as he should for one of his undoubted ability; on a reduced mark now and last Sunday's run, his first for 173 days, should have freshened him up; others look stronger for the win.

16/1

8th

4

(5)

19th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

17:17 Musselburgh

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Veteran who hasn't won as often as he should for one of his undoubted ability; on a reduced mark now and last Sunday's run, his first for 173 days, should have freshened him up; others look stronger for the win.

16/1

8th

2

(3)

13th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

led early, headed and prominent after 1f, led again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened inside final 110yds

12/1

11/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 820415 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Went close at Windsor (5f, good to firm) in May and won at Brighton (5.2f, good to firm) last month on second run since wind surgery; this C&D winner is not discounted but she's been inconsistent this year and was only fifth at Windsor (5f, good to firm) most recently; unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(7)

16th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

14:15 Beverley

Grace Angel

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Darryll Holland

prominent, pressed leader briefly 1f out, bit short of room inside final furlong, soon weakened

11/2

5th

2

(7)

16th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

14:15 Beverley

Grace Angel

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Darryll Holland

prominent

11/2

3rd

2

(8)

4th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

15:05 Bath

Grace Angel

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Darryll Holland

Won twice on turf last summer (5.2f/5f); seemingly a shade too high in weights on AW afterwards and ran poorly when last in action three weeks ago, but has edged back down to a workable mark and is the only one in this line-up to have run since the autumn.

14/1

Form: 7-1322 CD BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won over C&D (good) in June and was placed over C&D the next twice before a 1l second at Chester most recently, when her saddle reportedly slipped; has also won on soft going; at the top of her game and can make another bold bid under regular rider Jack Doughty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

13th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Secret Mistral

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Turned in a career-best effort when winning a C&D handicap by daylight two weeks ago; that race set up well for her, able to stalk the freewheeling leader before running on strongly in the closing stages; a 6lb rise asks a stiffer question but Rossa Ryan retains the ride and she's not discounted.

4/1

1st

5

(5)

30th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Secret Mistral

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

led early, headed and raced in second soon after start, hung right from over 1f out, ridden and led inside final furlong, kept on well

11/2

1st

5

(5)

30th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Secret Mistral

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

led early, headed and raced in second soon after start, hung right from over 1f out, ridden and led inside final furlong, kept on well

11/2

Form: 414380 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
3yo who won at York (5f, good to soft) in July and ran creditably the next twice; not at his very best the last twice but he's on a competitive mark and can't be written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(12)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Newcastle (AW)

The Coffee Pod

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Now 1lb lower than for his York win in July and he's run well in defeat on his last three starts (on Tapeta last time); likely to be in the mix once more.

8/1

3rd

5

(12)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Newcastle (AW)

The Coffee Pod

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Now 1lb lower than for his York win in July and he's run well in defeat on his last three starts (on Tapeta last time); likely to be in the mix once more.

8/1

4th

5

(8)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

The Coffee Pod

9st 4lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Free-going sort scored at York (5f) in June and has continued in good form, a strong-travelling runner-up at Nottingham (5f) 12 days ago; big player off an unchanged mark.

4/1

OUR TIP

4/1

Form: -36341 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner who got off the mark on turf at the 14th attempt, at Brighton (5.2f, good to firm) on Monday; also effective on good to soft; she won that four-runner handicap in fine style and is entitled to respect under a 5lb penalty, but today's company is more demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(12)

6th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Skallywag Bay

9st 12lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Three-time AW winner who got off the mark on turf at the 14th attempt, at Brighton (5.2f, good to firm) on Monday; also effective on good to soft; she won that four-runner handicap in fine style and is entitled to respect under a 5lb penalty, but today's company is more demanding.

4/1

1st

2

(3)

2nd Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 60y

Class 5

16:52 Brighton

Skallywag Bay

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Triple AW winner who is 0-13 on turf but she's run respectably at Lingfield (5f, good to firm) and Nottingham (5f, good) in her last two runs; returns after another short break but she's generally reliable and shouldn't be far away.

2/1

Form: 9-3426 CD

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Disappointing over C&D (good to firm) last time but has had a break since and she's a player if tapping back into the promise shown when runner-up over C&D (good) two starts ago; versatile ground-wise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(2)

30th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

18:00 Doncaster

Thunder Star

9st 5lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

midfield, pushed along over 2f out, headway and pressed leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on

10/1

7

(5)

13th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Thunder Star

8st 13lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

0-7 on AW but she has been placed in her last four starts, most recently when a never-dangerous third behind Secret Mistral here two weeks ago; on a dangerous mark but the change of headgear needs to give her a lift.

10/1

3rd

4

(2)

30th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Thunder Star

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Jessica Macey

took keen hold, prominent, jinked right and lost position after 1f

4/1

Form: 310407 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
10yo prominent-racer who has been inconsistent this year but has shown plenty of spark on occasions and is edging back down the weights; tends to ply his trade in a higher grade than this and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

18

(4)

11th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:45 York

Copper Knight

8st 6lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

pressed leader on far side of group, kept on inside final furlong

12/1

6th

8

(1)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:15 Chester

Copper Knight

8st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

in touch with leaders, bit short of room when headway against rail over 1f out, no extra towards finish

7/1

8th

4

(4)

6th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Copper Knight

9st 11lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

10yo prominent-racer who has been inconsistent this year but has shown plenty of spark on occasions and is edging back down the weights; tends to ply his trade in a higher grade than this and he's not ruled out.

11/1

11/1

Form: 180806 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won on reappearance at Yarmouth in April and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and he needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(2)

6th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Kuwait City

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John Butler

Won on reappearance at Yarmouth in April and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and he needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces.

11/1

6th

7

(8)

17th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 34y

Class 3

14:25 Newbury

Kuwait City

9st 1lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John Butler

Below par since his 5f Yarmouth reappearance success in April but has dipped to 2lb below that winning mark; dangerous if staging a revival.

8/1

14th

6

(18)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Kuwait City

9st 6lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Butler

All wins at 5f, one of them here at last year's Dante meeting, and he's on the same mark as when making a successful return at Yarmouth in April (5f, good to firm); best produced late off a strong pace at 5f though and his 6f form is unconvincing.

16/1

10th
14 (7)
Bayraat

8/1

Form: 39-073

Last run: 41 days

W: 8st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Has improved with each of his three runs this season and was a close third of 18 off this mark at York (5f, good to firm) last time, when denied a clear run; also effective on soft ground; could play another leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

14

(7)

6th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Bayraat

8st 10lb

J: David Egan

T: Tom Tate

Has improved with each of his three runs this season and was a close third of 18 off this mark at York (5f, good to firm) last time, when denied a clear run; also effective on soft ground; could play another leading role.

8/1

3rd

17

(3)

27th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:05 York

Bayraat

10st 9lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Tom Tate

Just 1-15 on the Flat but he's well handicapped on last year's best and his latest run over C&D saw him travel powerfully and run with more credit than the bare figures might indicate; should get the end-to-end gallop he needs at 5f; one to consider.

16/1

7th

12

(9)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:55 York

Bayraat

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tom Tate

midfield, waiting for room 3f out, bit short of room 2f out, kept on towards near side inside final furlong, no telling impression

20/1

14/1

Form: 189260 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
C&D winner (soft) who scored at Nottingham (5f, good) in July and was runner-up at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) on August 1; drops back down in grade having contested Class 2s the last twice but others have more compelling claims judged on recent evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

18th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Haydock

Never Dark

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Iain Jardine

Justified favouritism at Hamilton (5f, soft) last month and remains well treated on peak form; won off this mark at Haydock in 2023; only midfield at Nottingham on Wednesday but may rebound.

13/2

5th

6

(5)

16th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 3

16:50 Nottingham

Never Dark

9st 1lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

pressed leader

6/1

6

(4)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

16:10 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 0lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

Scored at Nottingham (5f) in July and not disgraced when seventh in 5f Haydock handicap two days ago; possibilities.

8/1

14/1

Form: 1-5276 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
3yo who was beaten just a head on handicap debut over C&D in June (good to firm; unraced on slow ground); below that level at Hamilton and Doncaster the next twice but perhaps the return here can trigger a bigger effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(7)

28th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Love Wars

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has inconsistent turf form (all 5f) but the pick of it, namely 2yo success and close second in June, gives her possibilities off current mark provided she takes well to AW.

13/2

10th

1

(7)

28th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Love Wars

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has inconsistent turf form (all 5f) but the pick of it, namely 2yo success and close second in June, gives her possibilities off current mark provided she takes well to AW.

13/2

12th

9

(10)

6th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Love Wars

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

3yo who was beaten just a head on handicap debut over C&D in June (good to firm; unraced on slow ground); below that level at Hamilton and Doncaster the next twice but perhaps the return here can trigger a bigger effort.

14/1

13th
13 (8)
Zaphea

16/1

Form: 317891 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
3yo who made it three wins for the year when making all at Hamilton (5f, heavy) a fortnight ago; the other wins came on good going; however, she's up in the weights and in grade today, and her form can be up and down.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(2)

19th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

17:17 Musselburgh

Zaphea

8st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Won four 5f handicaps last year, two of them over C&D; 2lb rise for her last-gasp win here in November pushes her into a higher grade; not ideally drawn and others appeal more.

20/1

12th

11

(2)

19th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

17:17 Musselburgh

Zaphea

8st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Won four 5f handicaps last year, two of them over C&D; 2lb rise for her last-gasp win here in November pushes her into a higher grade; not ideally drawn and others appeal more.

20/1

1st

3

(9)

6th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

12:35 Musselburgh

Zaphea

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

dwelt start, soon pressed leader, ridden and disputing lead from over 1f out, kept on and led final strides

16/1

Non-runners

The Thames Boatman

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £146.30
Straight Forecast £138.03
Tricast £2127.14
Trifecta £2153.90

Selections

The Guardian:

Secret Mistral

SPOTLIGHT:

Bayraat

Telegraph:

Thunder Star

TOPSPEED:

Kuwait City

NEWMARKET:

Grace Angel

D Express:

Skallywag Bay

POSTDATA:

Copper Knight

Daily Mail:

Secret Mistral

Daily Mirror:

Secret Mistral

The Star:

Secret Mistral

Daily Record:

Secret Mistral

RP RATINGS:

Bayraat

The Times:

Bayraat

The Sun:

Bayraat