September 07 / 17.15 Haydock

17.15

Good To Soft

Betfair Podcasts Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 1m 0f 37y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfair Podcasts Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 002459 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
0-12 since winning in 2022 on his third start and he was soundly beaten at Windsor three weeks ago; however, continues to edge down the weights and a case can be made on this season's best efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(9)

22nd Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

17:00 Beverley

Obelix

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Julie Camacho

Ran into traffic at a crucial stage when fourth to Glenfinnan over C&D (good to firm) last month; similar form when fourth at Thirsk 17 days ago; each-way shout.

100/30

4th

2

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Obelix

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Julie Camacho

Ran into traffic at a crucial stage when fourth at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) 24 days ago; capable of a prominent showing but he is the type that is always reliant on some luck in running.

5/2

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 912332 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
3yo who won here (1m2f) in June on second stable start and has been placed on his four outings since, most recently runner-up over 1m at Redcar where he was denied a clear run; firmly in calculations for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:17 Haydock

Empire Of Light

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Completed a hat-trick (1m2f/1m, heavy-good to firm) at Thirsk in May and returned to form when runner-up at Nottingham (1m, good) on October 1; well beaten at York (1m2f, good to soft) last Saturday but ran well for a long way and he's not discounted back down to 1m.

11/1

2nd

1

(1)

1st Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:43 Nottingham

Empire Of Light

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Compelted a hat-trick at Thirsk (1m, good) in May and he's of interest on that form, but two lesser performances have followed at York and he needs to get back on track.

12/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 221666 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
3yo who gained a deserved win at Hamilton in June but has finished sixth on his three starts since and needs to raise his game today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(10)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:30 Doncaster

Mysteryofthesands

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tim Easterby

Second in a division of this last year (soft) and three wins this term; ran okay when fifth of 13 at Beverley last time and not ruled out.

10/1

8

(12)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:08 Beverley

Mysteryofthesands

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

A dual C&D scorer in the summer; didn't fire in 1m Haydock handicap 17 days ago but no surprise if he bounces back here.

10/1

6

(2)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

Mysteryofthesands

9st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Three wins on turf (good/soft) since May and he may well have had a fourth here last month but for meeting trouble; last week's fourth of 13 in a Racing League event at Southwell (1m) shows he's still in form; considered.

15/2

10/1

Form: 111264 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won three in a row in the spring (1m/7f, good to soft/good) and has continued in pretty good heart, finishing a close fourth at Carlisle (7f, good) last month following a break; could make a bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(3)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:48 Musselburgh

Kelpie Grey

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

On a long losing run but made the frame at Ayr (1m, soft) 12 days ago and ran another good race when second back at Ayr yesterday; should go well again.

7/2

2nd

8

(1)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:08 Ayr

Kelpie Grey

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

His losing run goes back all the way to May 2024 and he's regressed this year; however, his recent third here (1m, soft) was a step back in the right direction and this two-time course winner is another 2lb lower today; might be in the shake-up.

11/2

3rd

9

(2)

18th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ayr

Kelpie Grey

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Jim Goldie

Four-time winner (two here) who is stuck on a losing run and hasn't been in great form this year; merely mid-division in a first-time visor (retained) here yesterday.

14/1

11/2

Form: 923149

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Came from the rear to win on his handicap/stable debut at Chester (7.5f, good) in June and has suffered trouble in running both starts since; this 3yo retains potential and could play a leading role if getting the breaks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(2)

2nd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Kempton (AW)

Native King

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

midfield

10/1

5th

6

(3)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

17:15 Haydock

Native King

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Came from the rear to win on his handicap/stable debut at Chester (7.5f, good) in June and has suffered trouble in running both starts since; this 3yo retains potential and could play a leading role if getting the breaks.

11/2

Form: 141116 D BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
3yo who made it 6-9 in handicaps when completing a front-running hat-trick (1m-1m1f, soft-good) at Hamilton in June; only sixth off new mark at Hamilton last month following a 68-day break but he shouldn't be written off in view of his previous highly progressive form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(10)

28th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 3

15:29 Hamilton

Good Morning Alex

9st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Proved suited by the return to prominent tactics and held on narrowly in Class 4 contest over C&D (heavy) eight days ago, taking Hamilton record to 3-4; incurs 5lb penalty back up in grade but remains well handicapped on peak form; respected.

8/1

1st

12

(2)

20th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

16:00 Hamilton

Good Morning Alex

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Dual course winner during his progressive spell a long while ago; out of the frame in selling handicap last weekend and current mark reflects a broad decline in his form.

25/1

5th

5

(11)

12th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

17:50 Musselburgh

Good Morning Alex

9st 13lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

He's dropped down the weights this year and is one to watch in the betting, but needs to perform considerably better than at Beverley a fortnight ago when returning from a 101-day break.

20/1

7th
11 (8)
Utilis

7/1

Form: 020001 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent and winless across his first 17 starts before scoring in first-time tongue-tie/blinkers at Thirsk (1m, good) three weeks ago; needs to back up that latest performance but he won with something to spare and a 5lb rise may not stop him if the headgear maintains its positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(8)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

17:15 Haydock

Utilis

9st 2lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Brian Ellison

Inconsistent and winless across his first 17 starts before scoring in first-time tongue-tie/blinkers at Thirsk (1m, good) three weeks ago; needs to back up that latest performance but he won with something to spare and a 5lb rise may not stop him if the headgear maintains its positive effect.

7/1

1st

3

(9)

16th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:15 Thirsk

Utilis

9st 9lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Brian Ellison

17-race maiden; best run this term when second at Doncaster in June (1m, good to soft); beaten just 5.5l when tenth of 17 in refitted cheekpieces at York last time (7f, good to firm; met trouble); blinkers now tried; chance

9/1

10th

16

(10)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Utilis

8st 13lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Runner-up at Doncaster (1m, good to soft; also effective on fast ground) last month and he's of interest on that form; however, well beaten the next twice and now 0-16; cheekpieces return (has run okay in them previously).

25/1

Form: 640022 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Creditable fourth in the Carlisle Bell in June and has gone very close on AW the last twice; he's more reliable on AW than turf nowadays but is still entitled to respect in view of his strong recent form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Rufaa

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Now 2lb lower than when keeping on well for close second behind course specialist in quite valuable Brighton Mile this summer, but recent Tapeta form has been underwhelming and he remains without a win since 2023.

10/1

1

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Rufaa

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Now 2lb lower than when keeping on well for close second behind course specialist in quite valuable Brighton Mile this summer, but recent Tapeta form has been underwhelming and he remains without a win since 2023.

10/1

7

(5)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Al Rufaa

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Patchy record this year but he is on the same mark as when a close second in a competitive race at Brighton in August; each-way shout.

10/1

Form: 23-906

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on last year's 3yo form and could bounce back to form at some stage; however, he has something to prove having finished down the field on all three outings this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:58 Nottingham

Urban Sprawl

9st 10lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Already a three-time scorer (around 1m) in 2025 and he comes here on the back of a very good second of 13 in 1m Newcastle handicap; must enter calculations off an unchanged mark.

9/2

2nd

5

(12)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Urban Sprawl

9st 12lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Career win number eight when prevailing narrowly in a Class 4 at Beverley (extended 1m) and tends to find Class 2s too tough these days, so excused his Doncaster run; only 1-17 on the AW but could be a factor.

14/1

10th

12

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Urban Sprawl

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Charlie Johnston

Tough sort but has done his winning this year in Class 4, including at Beverley (8.5f, good to firm) last time when taking record to 8-55; faces a tougher task back up two grades.

14/1

16/1

Form: -43547 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Weakened quickly and tailed off at Chester in July and has something to prove after that, but he's had a break since and showed some fair form earlier in the campaign; on a dangerous mark and not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(11)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

15:50 Chester

Spioradalta

9st 10lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Mark Walford

It was leg three of a four-timer when he beat Box To Box in this 12 months ago so he was in flying form back then; hit and miss this campaign, but has posted figures of 112 in three of his races and this mark isn't beyond him.

10/1

11th

7

(11)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:15 Hamilton

Spioradalta

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: Mark Walford

Two wins over 1m2f at Ripon this year (good/good to soft) and a good second to Salamanca City (with whom he is 4lb better off) when stepped up to 1m4f there last time (good); won over 1m2f last September on only previous start here; interesting.

10/1

2nd

1

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 3

15:15 Ripon

Spioradalta

9st 12lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Mark Walford

Down the field at York and Windsor on his last two starts but he's won on his last four visits to Ripon (1m2f, good/good to soft), including twice this year; it's surprising he's only ever had one crack at 1m4f, given how well he kept on over that trip in 2024; firmly in calculations back here.

11/2

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 913309 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Exploited a reduced mark at York (1m1f, good to soft) in June and is just 2lb higher today; however, he's gone off the boil the last twice and needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(5)

15th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

14:53 Redcar

Pisanello

9st 5lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who scored twice here (including over C&D) before completing a hat-trick at Hamilton (1m) in August; not disgraced after a slow start when seventh of 19 over C&D six days ago; needs considering.

9/1

7th

6

(6)

9th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

16:54 Redcar

Pisanello

9st 11lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Resurgent veteran who won twice at Redcar (including over C&D) in July before completing a hat-trick at Hamilton (1m1f, good) last month; his winning streak came to an end at Leicester but that was a creditable effort behind an improver and he remains well treated on his old form; key player.

11/2

2nd

1

(1)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:19 Leicester

Pisanello

10st 1lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Won two in a row at Redcar (1m1f/1m, good to firm) last month and completed hat-trick at Hamilton (1m1f, good) last Saturday; he's 6lb higher than last time and has never won over this far, but he's finished strongly for his recent wins and there's still plenty of mileage in his mark on old form.

2/1

12/1

Form: 212973 D

Last run: 144 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won at Newcastle (7f, AW) in February and close third there (7f) in April when last seen; also effective at 1m; however, there's a question mark about him on turf nowadays and he lacks a recent outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Star Zinc

9st 4lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has often started slowly but he's taken things to the next level the past twice, refusing to jump away either time; is quite capable off this mark if in the mood but comes with obvious risks attached.

33/1

7

(5)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Star Zinc

9st 4lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

refused to race

33/1

3

(8)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Star Zinc

9st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Rebecca Menzies

Comes with major risks attached as he was badly out of form on turf last month and refused to race at Redcar last week, while he's untested beyond about 1m; however, his last two wins have come here and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; not ruled out now back on this track.

14/1

Form: 1157/9

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Two 2yo novice wins for James Horton in summer 2022; however, he returned from a long absence at Redcar a fortnight ago and was well beaten at 40-1 on that stable debut; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(6)

28th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Sound Pressure

9st 10lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Sam England

in touch with leaders, weakened 4f out, tailed off

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.70
Straight Forecast £33.07
Tricast £324.15
Trifecta £390.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Empire Of Light

RP RATINGS:

Al Rufaa

TOPSPEED:

Mysteryofthesands

The Star:

Good Morning Alex

SPOTLIGHT:

Native King

The Times:

Obelix

D Express:

Spioradalta

Daily Mail:

Empire Of Light

Daily Mirror:

Empire Of Light

The Sun:

Empire Of Light

Daily Record:

Empire Of Light

Telegraph:

Al Rufaa

The Guardian:

Al Rufaa