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

1st

2

(2)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Respectable third over C&D (good to firm) last month but two lesser Ayr runs have followed, including on Monday.

12/1

9th

9

(6)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Our Absent Friends

9st 5lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Tristan Davidson

Best at 5f, but all his wins have come on AW or good/soft ground on turf; fair third on fast ground at Catterick two runs back (5f) but well beaten after being slowly away and losing a shoe over C&D last week.

12/1

7th

5

(3)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:11 Ayr

Our Absent Friends

10st 9lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Tristan Davidson

Course scorer who got back on track with third of five in 5f Catterick handicap 13 days ago; needs considering from an easing mark.

5/1

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

2nd

4

(1)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

17:13 Catterick

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in four runs this season; return to 6f in his favour but don't need much encouragement to look elsewhere.

14/1

2nd

4

(1)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

17:13 Catterick

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in four runs this season; return to 6f in his favour but don't need much encouragement to look elsewhere.

14/1

6th

11

(1)

17th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Thirsk

Arecibo

8st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Veteran who was a smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in three runs this season; dropped another 3lb but he has lots to prove on this first run at 7f; visor removed.

25/1

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

6

(5)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

17:40 Lingfield (AW)

Grace Angel

9st 6lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Darryll Holland

Dropped in the weights and much more competitive in recent starts, second at Chelmsford and Southwell before finishing third behind Sturlasson back at Southwell two weeks ago; better off at the weights with that rival today but might not reverse the placings.

5/1

3rd

2

(7)

29th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Grace Angel

9st 12lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Darryll Holland

Her losing run goes back more than a year but she's been running well of late and confirmed her liking for this C&D when losing out narrowly to a well-treated rival (pair well clear) last week; solid claims.

11/4

1

(6)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Grace Angel

9st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Darryll Holland

Dropped a long way in the weights this year and she returned to form with a good second at Chelmsford last month (ran without the declared tongue-tie); back up 2lb but still well treated on last season's best; C&D winner; considered.

6/1

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

1st

1

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Secret Mistral

10st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Six-time winner; effective at this track and she arrives on the back of a good second under Myla Coppins at Nottingham (5f, good) three weeks ago; has a low draw and looks set for another big run.

9/2

2nd

6

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

19:45 Nottingham

Secret Mistral

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Six-time winner including four on turf (good/soft); runner-up in final two starts last season but she struggled at Wolverhampton (6f) in her final run last year; this drop back in trip looks a good move on her return but her last three wins have been in Class 5 events and others are preferred.

11/1

2nd

4

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Haydock

Secret Mistral

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Course regular who landed her third race here when making all over C&D (good) in July; similar form when second at Chester (5.5f, soft) last time; player.

9/2

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

7th

4

(3)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:52 Newbury

The Coffee Pod

9st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

He's on a reduced mark and his yard is going well; however, he had a patchy campaign last season and was soundly beaten in April on his sole run this year (pulled hard on that stable debut); others have less to prove.

10/1

8th

7

(2)

13th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:52 Leicester

The Coffee Pod

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Picked up for 4,000gns from the Hannon yard last autumn after breaking a blood-vessel for the second time in four runs; not much luck and maybe fresh is the time to catch him, going in a first-time hood, but the stiff 6f is a concern (most starts at 5f).

16/1

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

4th

5

(3)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 42y

Class 5

15:20 Yarmouth

Thunder Star

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

All five wins have come over 5f on turf and was only beaten a head at Thirsk (5f, good) six days ago; 1lb well in and won't mind what the weather does; major player.

100/30

2nd

1

(12)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Thirsk

Thunder Star

10st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jessica Macey

Has won five times on turf on a variety of ground; did best of her group when ninth of 17 at Doncaster (5f, good to soft) on her return but failed to beat a rival home at Yarmouth 55 days ago; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

16/1

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

9th

8

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 19 wins on his CV, including three editions of this race and a narrow success at Beverley (5f, good to soft) last month; drawn on the outside today and doesn't have much margin for error off this mark but it won't be a surprise if he gives this a good shot.

14/1

6th

6

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Copper Knight

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Grand old veteran who can be forgiven his defeat in a Class 2 at York last time, having won at this level the time before at Beverley (2lb lower); had 119 races and yet this is his first visit here.

16/1

18th

18

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Copper Knight

8st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Hugely admirable 12yo whose seven York wins include this race in 2019 and 2021, and he built upon last month's reappearance second at Ripon (5f, good) to win at Beverley (5f, good to soft) ten days ago; however, there's a suspicion he may find a big-field Class 2 such as this too hot nowadays.

20/1

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

2nd

8

(4)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 143y

Class 5

17:40 Doncaster

Bayraat

10st 4lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Tom Tate

Veteran who has returned from a break in fine form and won by a length over this far at Wetherby (good to firm); back up 4lb but had dropped to a good mark.

9/2

1st

3

(1)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

15:40 Wetherby

Bayraat

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Tom Tate

Not the best of strike-rates but two good seconds at Redcar this season; plum draw and one with a chance.

7/4

2nd

8

(5)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Bayraat

10st 8lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Tom Tate

Only a length away over C&D on his return from 222 days away but no certainty to follow one good run with another, and he finds winning difficult (1-31).

13/2

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

6th

6

(5)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:11 Ayr

Never Dark

10st 8lb

J: Mr Freddie Robson

T: Iain Jardine

On a long losing run and he ended 2025 below par in 5f handicaps at Hamilton and Haydock last autumn; needs to hit the ground running after eight months off.

20/1

7th

8

(10)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Haydock

Never Dark

8st 13lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Iain Jardine

C&D winner in 2023; landed a ninth win when scoring at Hamilton last September and finished third to Impressor there (also 5f, soft) last month; reared in stalls and weakened quickly at that venue one week later, though; career-low mark can only help.

16/1

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

9th

6

(5)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Zaphea

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Got involved too soon in the strongly run C&D race won by Ski Angel last time; inconsistent this term but is attractively treated (last two wins off 16lb higher).

10/1

6th

4

(5)

1st Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:13 Musselburgh

Zaphea

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Effective on fast ground but all five wins have been on good or slower including three over C&D; 0-10 this season but he travelled well for a long way when third off this reduced mark at Hamilton ten days ago; usually races prominently and he could make another bold bid back at this track.

3/1

3rd

7

(5)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

14:43 Hamilton

Zaphea

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Productive 2024 campaign featured two wins over C&D; far from solid on 2025 form and is perhaps best watched unless the market speaks positively.

14/1

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