September 07 / 13.50 Haydock

13.50

Good To Soft

Betfair Plays Different Handicap

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 6f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Betfair Plays Different Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2153

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
First three starts, including a soft-ground win, made him look a promising sort moving into handicaps and he duly finished third of 16 in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) two weeks ago, staying on from mid-division; up 3lb but open to further progress and he's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Master Builder

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Last seen floundering on heavy going in the November Handicap at Doncaster; the clear highpoint of that campaign was his second at Epsom (1m4f, good; stays 1m6f) in April, which came first time out and points up his chance given that he is now 11lb lower; needs a second look.

6/1

9

(13)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Master Builder

9st 0lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Menuisier

Progressive last year so his mixed form this season has been a little disappointing, albeit his latest sixth (Dramatic Star second, Stressfree third) in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock (1m6f, good) was respectable.

10/1

6th

11

(17)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Master Builder

8st 13lb

J: William Buick

T: David Menuisier

Mixed form this season and disappointing at Goodwood last month; however, he won over C&D last September (good; also effective on soft) and is on a handy mark for his in-form stable; not discounted now back here.

11/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3-7121

Last run: 101 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won handicap debut at Doncaster (1m4f, soft), second at Chester (1m4f, good) next time and back in the winner's enclosure at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) on latest start; those were all in the spring (he's been absent 101 days) but he looked the type to make further progress, including at this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

13:55 Haydock

Contacto

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

4yo who has failed to progress this year but he got back on track with a nose second of six to High Point over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; there's every chance he'll be thereabouts once more.

9/2

2nd

3

(3)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Contacto

10st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Progressive in handicaps last term; hasn't continued in the same vein during a fairly light 2025 campaign but faced a tough task in the Old Borough Cup here most recently; this is easier.

7/2

9th

15

(6)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Contacto

8st 6lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Andrew Balding

Won two 3yo handicaps last spring (1m4f, soft) and ran well in defeat on first two starts this season (2m, good/AW); disappointing at Ascot (2m, good) last time but holds each-way possibilities if back on song.

16/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -56311

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Disappointing favourite and co-favourite in his first two handicaps but has turned a major corner with blinkers fitted for his two starts since, winning at Salisbury and Newbury (both 1m4f on good to firm); first off the bridle turning for home last time, before leading on the post, which sees a switch of headgear today (off 6lb higher mark) but also a step up in trip which has to make appeal; leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(6)

4th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

14:47 Ascot

Hutchence

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

in touch with leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon rallied and good headway on near side of group, led over 1f out, went clear inside final furlong, easily

7/4

3rd

4

(6)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

13:50 Haydock

Hutchence

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Disappointing favourite and co-favourite in his first two handicaps but has turned a major corner with blinkers fitted for his two starts since, winning at Salisbury and Newbury (both 1m4f on good to firm); first off the bridle turning for home last time, before leading on the post, which sees a switch of headgear today (off 6lb higher mark) but also a step up in trip which has to make appeal; leading player.

9/2

1st

6

(7)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Newbury

Hutchence

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Disappointing favourite and co-favourite in his first two handicaps but the blinkers went on at Salisbury (1m4f, good to firm) three weeks ago and he won that six-runner race in good style; 8lb higher today but may have turned a corner and has to be taken seriously.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: -31328

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Found improvement in handicaps when upped in trip this May-July, latterly when second of 13 in a quite valuable race over C&D; fair eighth of 16 in the Melrose at York last time, which sees headgear go on today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(13)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 76y

19:55 Curragh

Too Bossy For Us

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: W P Mullins

One of two for yard that has won two of the last four renewals; useful hurdler was well held on return to the Flat behind Poetic Sound here on latest (1m6f, yielding) but was runner up in this last year on good ground off 1lb higher; dangerous to discount.

13/2

6th

7

(7)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Too Bossy For Us

8st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: W P Mullins

Useful on the Flat, although sole win came back in 2024, narrowly beaten here over 2m last summer; equally talented hurdler, but some stiff tasks of late; market likely informative back on the Flat.

8/1

6th

9

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

16:15 Punchestown

Too Bossy For Us

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

One of three for yard; Useful on the Flat; off the mark over hurdles in a C&D maiden in February (sft-hvy); beaten 11.5l when midfield in the Supreme at Cheltenham (when Townend rode) and raced keenly before pulled up in the Fairyhouse Grade 2 won by Koktail Brut latest; overlooked by Townend here.

20/1

20/1

Form: 123746 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Running with consistent credit in handicaps, the exception when 20-1 in a Class 2 contest over C&D; showed he stays 2m when rallying on last two starts (here and behind Road To Wembley at Newcastle); a more prominent ride will probably be needed (5lb claimer is also enlisted) but others are still likely to have too much toe for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

15:37 Cartmel

Filibustering

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has done well since being tried in a tongue-tie; bids for a hat-trick after scoring at Newcastle in April (2m1f, good) and Hexham last month (2m, good); up 11lb in the process (7lb since latest win); a possible.

4/1

6th

7

(6)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Filibustering

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Harry Derham

Tongue-tie went on for six-runner handicaps on his last two hurdle races (2m1f/2m) and he won them both; his last Flat race was in 2024 for Tim Easterby and that was a pretty solid campaign; acts on Tapeta, unraced on Polytrack; needs to be at his best on return to Flat but no shock if he's a major player.

6/1

1st

2

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

18:45 Hexham

Filibustering

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harry Derham

Back to form in first-time tongue-tie when winning at Newcastle last time (2m1f, good; third has since won on the Flat); up 4lb; chance.

9/4

Form: 111122

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Races prominently and can make the running; much improved since blinkered, completing a four-timer in June/July; advanced his form again when second in both starts since; all of that improvement was over about 1m4f but he shapes as if worth a go at 1m6f; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(7)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 3

16:00 Haydock

Walter Hartright

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Ed Dunlop

Races prominently and can make the running; much improved since blinkered, completing a four-timer in June/July before two good seconds and a creditable sixth in warm C&D race on latest outing (behind Filibustering); his only runs on worse than good to soft were last October at start of career (well beaten) so there is something to prove in the mud.

8/1

6th

3

(4)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

13:50 Haydock

Walter Hartright

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Races prominently and can make the running; much improved since blinkered, completing a four-timer in June/July; advanced his form again when second in both starts since; all of that improvement was over about 1m4f but he shapes as if worth a go at 1m6f; considered.

8/1

2nd

5

(4)

31st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 2

13:30 Beverley

Walter Hartright

8st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Ed Dunlop

raced in third and in touch with leaders, pushed along over 3f out, went second over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, challenging final furlong, stayed on

9/4

Form: 113421

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Competitive in all his six handicaps, with his three wins including a Racing League event at Newcastle (2m) 16 days ago; his only turf race was at Newbury (2m, good to firm) on penultimate start, when he finished second; continues up the weights and in class today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

16:35 Aintree

Road To Wembley

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time winner on the Flat for Richard Hughes and it's been a promising start over hurdles, winning a Southwell maiden last time without too much fuss (good); penalised accordingly but sets the standard.

Evs

1st

5

1st Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Road To Wembley

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Fairly useful four-time AW Flat winner in these silks for Richard Hughes and promising second of ten on his Warwick hurdle debut (2m, good to soft) for Olly Murphy 24 days ago; entitled to improve and the one to beat.

Evs

2nd

7

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Road To Wembley

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time AW winner at up to 2m on Flat for Richard Hughes, reaching an RPR of 85 (has shown a similar level of form on turf); remains with same owner; has the potential to become a fairly useful hurdler.

13/2

Form: 712410 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Second win this season came when upped to 1m6f at Sandown in July, drawing clear again in the final 1f; went up a tough-looking 7lb when those front-running tactics did not work out in the Melrose at York two weeks ago; dropped 1lb since but still needs to resume his improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(1)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Spaceport

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Lacey

Scored twice (at 1m4f/1m6f) for William Muir and Chris Grassick in summer of 2024; very lightly raced and has shown little since for his current yard though, hooded when last of seven in 8.5f Wolverhampton handicap 27 days ago; Polytrack debutant.

20/1

7th

2

(6)

24th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spaceport

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tom Lacey

Won turf handicaps over 1m4f and 1m6f for William Muir/Chris Grassick in 2024; only seen twice for this stable and finished tailed off on both occasions (hurdles last February/1m4f here last month); hooded and dropped in trip today; risky despite a tumbling handicap mark.

25/1

8th

3

(2)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 3

16:52 Wolverhampton (AW)

Spaceport

9st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Tom Lacey

Absent and had wind surgery since a heavy defeat last February on stable/hurdles debut; now goes in tongue-tie; all of his Flat form is on turf; the betting may help to ascertain expectations.

14/1

10/1

Form: 220331 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Threatened a few times before getting off the mark at the eighth attempt, in a six-runner handicap at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) at the end of July; led after 5f that day and saw off a challenger with authority but he's raised 6lb and in class, so needs another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(3)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Goodwood

Across Earth

9st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Two hurdle wins late last year and he's held his form pretty well in that discipline, last seen six weeks ago; his last Flat race was in 2024 for his former yard and peak form that year (1m6f win) suggests this is a realistic mark.

6/1

6th

12

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Across Earth

10st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won against his own age-group here (2m, soft; also suited by good) in December and has finished close up on all three outings since (1m7f-2m); must be considered on this first attempt at 2m4f.

5/1

20/1

Form: 693256

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Sole win (12 races) was 1m2f in May but he ran well over 1m4f and 1m6f in July; perhaps stretched by 2m last time; dropped 2lb since but looks vulnerable to an improver unless the first-time headgear sparks something.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(10)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Flickering Halo

9st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Recent form has been patchy, but he's now 5lb lower than when winning over C&D in May; each-way claims if he can reproduce that sort of form; stable also runs Hosanna Power.

16/1

2

(10)

19th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Flickering Halo

10st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Both wins at 1m2f, on good to firm and the AW; third at Beverley last month before struggling in a Class 4; could go well, though has mostly steered clear of slow ground.

14/1

Non-runners

Highland Bling

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.80
Straight Forecast £15.81
Tricast £80.79
Trifecta £80.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Master Builder

Daily Mirror:

Hutchence

NEWMARKET:

Walter Hartright

TOPSPEED:

Filibustering

The Times:

Contacto

LAMBOURN:

Road To Wembley

RP RATINGS:

Master Builder

POSTDATA:

Master Builder

Telegraph:

Master Builder

The Guardian:

Master Builder

D Express:

Master Builder

The Sun:

Master Builder

Daily Record:

Master Builder

The Star:

Hutchence

Daily Mail:

Walter Hartright