September 07 / 15.00 Haydock

15.00

Good To Soft

Betfair Be Friendly Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Betfair Be Friendly Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 235415 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Running well this year prior to winning big-field 3yo handicap at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good to firm) and close fifth of 22 at York (5.4f, good to firm) since; today's race is less competitive and he could play a leading role if conditions suit (unproven on slow ground); trainer won this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Shagraan

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Dual Listed winner who faced a stiff task in deep waters at Royal Ascot last time; respectable third to Rumstar in this race last year and was only one place behind that rival in the 2026 Palace House; in the mix.

8/1

17th

11

(10)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Shagraan

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Clive Cox

Ended 2025 with 5f Listed wins at Beverley (good to firm) and over C&D (soft) either side of a Group 2 second to First Instinct at Newbury; has a lot to find on those efforts and also on this year's runs for a new yard.

50/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 0-4310 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Southwell (5f, AW) nine days ago and it's hard to be confident on the back of that, but he looked progressive previously and won over this C&D (good) two starts ago; shouldn't be written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:50 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

10st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Not that easy to win with (2-27 on turf) but is a C&D winner (good to soft) and has run creditably when third over C&D on last two starts (closely matched with Montezuma on last week's run); a possible

3/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -12122 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Two wins from five races this year, latest at Thirsk (5f, good to soft) in June; close second to Jer Batt over C&D (good) next time, runner-up at Pontefract (5f, good to firm) since and there's every chance he'll continue to progress, especially if settling better than last time; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

American Affair

10st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Said goodbye to handicaps when winning over C&D in May 2025 and just two runs later he won the Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot (good to firm; handles good to soft); off the track for nearly a year after and he's been slowly working his way back to form since, looking more his old self when winning a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood latest; a likely force.

7/1

1st

2

(9)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

American Affair

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) last June then missed the rest of the season; mixed form this year but he showed spark when second to Night Raider at Haydock in May and today's expected frenetic gallop will be right up his street; not ruled out.

11/1

Form: 377343 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who is 0-10 this year but has often run well in defeat (on various ground), most recently a close third of 22 at York's Ebor meeting; every chance he'll produce another bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

4

(1)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:20 York

Looking For Lynda

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Craig Lidster

Well handicapped on last year's C&D form for Karl Burke but refused to race in April on final outing for that yard and down the field over C&D on recent stable debut, when again awkward at the start; risks attached.

33/1

14th

6

(6)

11th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:07 York

Looking For Lynda

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Craig Lidster

Beaten 16 times since his C&D win in September 2023; has often run well in defeat, including here, but he put a major black mark on his record at Nottingham in April, belatedly leaving the stalls but downing tools and bucking around immediately afterwards; the combination of a subsequent stable switch/wind surgery/change of headgear could all be beneficial and there's no doubt he has the ability to win a race like this; risky but feared.

10/1

1

(6)

9th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

14:35 Nottingham

Looking For Lynda

9st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

mounted in chute, refused to race, soon pulled up

5/2

9/1

Form: 312783 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
In good form this year since these cheekpieces went on, winning at Windsor (5f, good) in May and third of 14 at York last month (5f, good to firm; albeit no match for winner); unproven on slow ground; could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(11)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:20 Catterick

Jumbeau

8st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tom Clover

Faded in the closing stages over 6f at Newmarket last time but 5f is more her trip and her latest attempt over the minimum distance resulted in a creditable third at Lingfield (AW) at the beginning of September; has dropped to only 1lb above the mark she defied on turf at Lingfield in August.

16/1

6th

4

(3)

25th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket

Jumbeau

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Tom Clover

Has placed form over the trip but she's 0-9 over 6f+ as opposed to 3-16 at 5f; didn't run badly on AW three weeks ago but perhaps vulnerable to stronger stayers this time.

12/1

1

(8)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 3

18:20 Lingfield (AW)

Jumbeau

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Tom Clover

Turf win here last month (5f, good); not so good at York a fortnight ago but that was a warm race; promise in each of her three AW starts thus far; not ideally drawn though and others perhaps stronger for win purposes.

13/2

OUR TIP

9/1

Form: -00319

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Close third to Shagraan at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good to firm) before winning at Windsor (6f, good to firm); not at the same level at Southwell (5f) last time but that was his AW debut and this 3yo could have more to offer now back on turf; unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Goodwood

Toca Madera

9st 12lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Has done himself proud since Doncaster win in June, finishing close up over 5f at the big meeting here and again in the Stewards' Cup (6f) four days later; another smart effort when third of 21 at York next time but well held on good to soft there since and deteriorating ground would be a worry.

5/1

16th

12

(14)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Toca Madera

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Back in top form for David O'Meara this summer, running well twice at Glorious Goodwood and again when third of 21 here (5.4f, good) on Wednesday; tanked through Wednesday's race but didn't see it out quite so well as the front two; the worry today is that further rain has fallen and he is ideally suited by good to firm.

10/1

3rd

9

(4)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Toca Madera

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

He has performed with credit in all three York runs; two fine runs at Glorious Goodwood, notably in the Stewards' Cup in which he would have gone very close to winning granted a clear run at a crucial stage; races off the same mark and has a big run in him.

6/1

Form: 512591 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who has won four times this year, the latest when returning to form to beat four rivals at Catterick ten days ago; however, a 4lb rise and the step back up in grade may find him out this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 1lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Confirmed trailblazer who has won 13 races in his career (six on AW), but has finished out of the frame in all six starts over C&D; blinkers go on for the first time on his 86th start; others preferred.

11/1

8

(5)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

One of the faster sprinters in training and he belatedly got off the mark for the year with a front-running win at Wolverhampton 17 days ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition could find him out.

8/1

1st

1

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

Trailblazing sprinter who got no peace up front when beaten favourite in a Racing League handicap last time; ran a stormer the time before at Haydock and should give it a good shot from stall 3; has form here.

2/1

9/1

Form: 315813 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-4 for current stable when winning at Newmarket (5f, good) in July; solid third at Goodwood (5f, good) 11 days later; unproven on slow ground but could have more left in the tank and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

17:45 Pontefract

Rocking Ends

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Tom Clover

With this visor back on he won at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) last month, landing that handicap for the third year in succession; not beaten far when fifth of 13 at Ascot (5f, good to firm) since but he's never won off a mark this high and there's a suspicion he'll again be vulnerable.

11/2

14/1

Form: -90110 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
10yo who won two in a row at Chester (heavy/good to soft) this summer; however, he's struggled when away from Chester this year and was well beaten at Wolverhampton (AW) last time; all turf wins have come on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Hyperfocus

9st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D (good to soft) last July but he's lost his way and has been out of sorts this season; now 17lb lower than for that last win but the veteran has a lot to prove.

20/1

115

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Hyperfocus

8st 8lb

T: Tim Easterby

11

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Haydock

Hyperfocus

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time course winner who has tumbled down the weights and runs here for the first time this season; however, this 11yo has been struggling this year and a major turnaround is required.

25/1

10/1

Form: 98-862 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo whose career has had some interruptions since he won his first two starts (good/good to soft); has improved with each of his three runs this season and went close at Hamilton (5f, heavy) a fortnight ago; not discounted but his claims may be dented if the ground dries out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(5)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Changeofmind

9st 13lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Ended a losing run at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) in May; not so good since and others are more persuasive ahead of his AW debut.

16/1

6th

5

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

19:35 Chester

Changeofmind

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Back to winning ways with his Class 5 win at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) in May; respectable efforts twice since but he would be more appealing on slower ground.

14/1

Non-runners

Designer

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.80
Straight Forecast £21.62
Tricast £63.67
Trifecta £92.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

American Affair

POSTDATA:

Shagraan

The Times:

Jumbeau

Daily Mail:

Designer

Telegraph:

Shagraan

RP RATINGS:

American Affair

TOPSPEED:

American Affair

The Guardian:

American Affair

D Express:

American Affair

The Sun:

American Affair

The Star:

American Affair

Daily Record:

American Affair

Daily Mirror:

Jumbeau