September 27 / 17.10 Haydock

17.10

Soft

Smooth Radio Always The Best Music Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 7f 37y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Smooth Radio Always The Best Music Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 011068 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Made it two wins in a row when scoring by a nose at Chester (7f, good to soft) in May but he's finished down the field in three subsequent runs; now drops back in grade but he's still 2lb higher than for his last win and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:50 York

Spirit Genie

10st 13lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

Five-time winner on a handy mark but it's been a quiet start to this season and, even if back on song, looks vulnerable to stronger stayers over this far; the return of a visor might be no bad thing.

14/1

8th

2

(10)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:30 Chester

Spirit Genie

11st 1lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

C&D scorer who made a promising return from a poor draw when seventh of 22 in 7f York handicap four weeks ago; figures on a handy-looking mark now and he's interesting.

10/1

7th

5

(21)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Spirit Genie

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Ended winless 2025 campaign with a placed effort in an above-average seller; starts his 2026 season off 8lb below his last winning mark but chance partly depends on the weather as he's best on ground softer than good.

20/1

14/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -32398 D

Last run: 60 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Three 7f turf wins in the mud last year; started this season with three placed efforts (7f/1m) but he's been well held in last two runs (turf/AW); has something to prove after another short break and he needs to get back near best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

4

(13)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Thunder Roar

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Soft-ground specialist who landed a fifth success when scoring at Ayr (1m) in September; yet to get going in three starts this year but he's edging down the weights and the booking of Colin Keane catches the eye; requires monitoring in the market with every drop of rain in his favour.

25/1

11th

7

(13)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Thunder Roar

9st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

7yo who was better than ever last season, a campaign that concluded with a fine second of 17 over C&D (good); races off the same mark today but he hasn't shone on his two outings this year.

33/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 058321 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Hit a personal best on her step back up to 7f when making all on soft at Newbury (12-1) three weeks ago; goes back up in grade off 4lb higher but she found plenty for pressure last time and still looks on a workable mark; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 3

15:52 Musselburgh

Lexington Belle

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Alice Haynes

Back in reasonably good form, having made the frame in last two outings, beaten only 2l at Haydock latest; still quite fresh, having had a light 2025 campaign, and is 1lb below last winning mark; one to consider.

7/2

5

(2)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:35 Haydock

Lexington Belle

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Had her conditions at Sandown (soft) two weeks ago but although she finished third, she was over 12l behind the winner; drying conditions here will suit others better.

16/1

8

(3)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Lexington Belle

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Came good 12 months ago when faced with testing ground so every drop of rain to fall beforehand will be welcomed; well beaten in two runs this year but quite possible she'll be seen to better effect this time.

33/1

Form: 562127 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won at York (7f, good to soft) in May before a good second there next time but his form cooled with a laboured effort in a Class 3 at Sandown last month; that was after a short break but this is another competitive event and he has some work to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

19

(15)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Feel The Need

9st 2lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Michael Herrington

Good C&D record includes a win in this race (good to firm) off 1lb higher last year; good second at Southwell (7f) in January but always behind over C&D four months later; may well have needed that outing but needed to see more to be confident.

14/1

21th

14

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Feel The Need

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael Herrington

Most of his 14 races at York have been over 7f, including wins in this race in 2024 and another last June; absent since second on AW in January and that's the longest break he's had for two years, which asks a question, but he has to be considered off his last winning mark.

16/1

2nd

7

(3)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Feel The Need

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Easy to make a case on last year's peak form but signed off with two quiet runs and now back from three months off; not without hope if the break has done him good; has form here.

14/1

Form: 824752 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Ideally suited by good or slower ground and was a creditable second on heavy at Chester (7f) two weeks ago; nudged up 1lb for that but his last win was off a similar mark last autumn and he should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

19

(15)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Quest For Fun

8st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two-time C&D winner and has also run with distinction in defeat here on numerous occasions; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years but he would be better suited by slower conditions.

9/1

12

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Quest For Fun

9st 6lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Plenty of C&D form in big fields, notably wins on good to soft in July of 2023 and 2025; behind Leadman when fifth at the Dante meeting last month but well in front of David O'Meara's charge and looked a bit unlucky (met trouble) when third of 22 back here three weeks ago; solid.

6/1

3rd

10

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Quest For Fun

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Plenty of C&D form in big fields, notably wins on good to soft in 2023 and July 2025; while not so striking as Leadman, he didn't have the best of runs when fifth of 22 over C&D eight days ago, so might step up a bit today.

10/1

Form: 097401 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has a patchy profile but he bounced back with a dominant display at Ffos Las (7.3f, heavy) four weeks ago; a 5lb rise looks fair enough but this is a big step back up in grade and he could have competition for the lead this time; others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Kings Vanity

9st 0lb

J: David Probert

T: Marcus Tregoning

Only seen once since leaving Andrew Balding 18 months ago, when well held last October; won his novice over C&D and the hood going back on should help but it's hard to know whether he's still up to this sort of mark.

12/1

9th

8

(4)

1st Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Kings Vanity

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Marcus Tregoning

Two wins for Andrew Balding last year, a Lingfield novice (7f, Polytrack) and a Ffos Las handicap (7.4f, heavy); makes his stable debut (same owner) after a year off with the hood removed; watch market.

12/1

9/1

Form: 5-0208

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Acts on most ground including heavy; bits of useful form over 7f for Jane Chapple-Hyam and left that trainer for 100,000gns in July; made a low-key start for new yard at Ascot (1m) but this drop back in trip looks a positive and he still has potential after only eight starts; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(6)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Son Of Man

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

High marks for consistency of late and belatedly doubled his tally at Lingfield last month (1m4f, AW); better form when going down by a nose under same conditions next time and it wasn't much of a drop off when third at Windsor last week; hard to rule out.

10/1

3rd

3

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Son Of Man

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

Just two wins from 25 starts but latest was at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) last month and he had a near-miss on his return visit three weeks ago; up another 3lb but he remains feasibly treated and his first win was on turf; strongly respected.

7/2

2nd

7

(6)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Lingfield (AW)

Son Of Man

9st 6lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Jim Boyle

Gained a first success (since his debut in 2023) when edging out Wonder by 1l in 15-runner handicap over C&D 24 days ago; 2lb worse off here but still not taken lightly.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 375215 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Recorded his eighth turf win when scoring at Chester (7f, good to soft) last month and was only beaten 2l when fifth of 13 in another Class 2 there (good) last time; has been as good as ever recently and he's respected on this drop back in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

(11)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Yanifer

9st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

Prominent racer; just 1lb higher than for last August's win at Chester (7.6f, good to firm); effective over C&D and last month's reappearance should have sharpened him up; suspicion he will prove vulnerable to younger rivals here though.

16/1

12th

1

(11)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Yanifer

10st 2lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Harriet Bethell

This is his first run since last October but he is capable of running well after an absence and he's been runner-up in the last two editions of this race (good to soft/good to firm); interesting candidate on return to action.

20/1

10

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Yanifer

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Enhanced his fine Chester record when a length winner there in late August (extended 7f; good to firm; acts on soft); the 4lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark which could be troublesome in this deep a handicap.

40/1

Form: 9-9100 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who was unlucky not to have won outright at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in June but he was tailed off there in next two runs; still unexposed on turf but he's hard to predict and needs a major revival back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(2)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

17:10 Haydock

Supaspecialawesome

8st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Hugo Palmer

Prominent-racer who was unlucky not to have won outright at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in June but he was tailed off there in next two runs; still unexposed on turf but he's hard to predict and needs a major revival back in this sphere.

33/1

12th

2

(11)

7th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

16:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Supaspecialawesome

9st 10lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Hugo Palmer

raced wide, swerved right start, in touch with leaders, prominent on outer after 1f, lost ground over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out

6/1

Non-runners

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Payout
Exacta £40.50
Straight Forecast £34.27
Tricast £269.80
Trifecta £296.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lexington Belle

RP RATINGS:

Quest For Fun

The Times:

King's Vanity

TOPSPEED:

Thunder Roar

The Guardian:

King's Vanity

Daily Mirror:

King's Vanity

NEWMARKET:

Lexington Belle

Telegraph:

Lexington Belle

The Sun:

Lexington Belle

The Star:

Lexington Belle

Daily Record:

Lexington Belle

POSTDATA:

Quest For Fun

Daily Mail:

Quest For Fun

D Express:

Quest For Fun