May 24 / 14.25 Haydock

14.25

Good To Firm

Betfred ‘Nifty 50’ British EBF Hedge Of Oak Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares)

  • Prize money: £39697
  • 1m 2f 100y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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Betfred ‘Nifty 50’ British EBF Hedge Of Oak Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 76-214 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Her form has improved a notch this season, building on reappearance second in a warm handicap at Kempton (1m3f, AW) with a half-length win in Listed race at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm; Francophone fourth); couldn't live with See The Fire in a York Group 2 last week but should find this a bit easier.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

10th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket

Ambiente Amigo

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: James Owen

Listed winner at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm) in April; some respectable efforts since but 33-1 in 1m4f Group 3 here two weeks ago and finished last of 11; this also looks tough.

50/1

1

(7)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newmarket

Ambiente Amigo

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: James Owen

Listed winner at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm) in April and respectable efforts in defeat in the same grade at York and Salisbury on her last two runs; however, needs something extra now back into a Group race.

33/1

1

(9)

13th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 201y

Class 1

16:30 Salisbury

Ambiente Amigo

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: James Owen

Listed winner at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm) in April who was back near that form when sixth of 12 at York (1m2f, good) last month in another Listed event; travelled better than Revoir in the latter race but that rival saw it out more strongly to finish fifth; giving weight all round, she may again come up a bit short.

8/1

Form: 1104- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won her first two starts last May, latterly a 1m2f Newbury Listed race on good; disappointed in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) the following month but got her career back on track when fourth in 1m2f Doncaster Listed event (soft) in November; returns as a lightly raced filly from a top yard, who probably has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(5)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

18:53 Newcastle (AW)

Diamond Rain

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Won this last year prior to finishing placed in two North American Grade 1s; not at her best when third of fourth in Group 2 at York on last month's reappearance but it wasn't a bad run and she may well have needed it; very much the one to beat if reproducing anything close to her peak form.

4/5

3rd

2

(1)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:30 York

Diamond Rain

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

An improved performer last year, winning a good-ground Listed race at Haydock (reappearance) and AW Group 3 at Newcastle around 1m2f before progressing again to place in Grade 1s on firm at Woodbine (1m2f) and Del Mar (1m3f; Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf); bang there on form but the fact her top stable has gone nearly three weeks without a winner has to be a slight concern.

3/1

1st

2

(3)

27th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

19:05 Newcastle (AW)

Diamond Rain

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Won her first two starts last May, latterly a 1m2f Newbury Listed race; has had an interrupted career since but resumed improvement when gradually working her way to a clearcut win in Listed race at Haydock (1m2f, good) five weeks ago; hard to beat if that form is transferred on AW debut.

10/11

Form: 1844-4 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Listed winner at Goodwood (1m2f, good) last May; respectable fourth of six to Ambiente Amigo on 1m2f Nottingham reappearance (good to firm) 25 days ago and she's 3lb better off at the weights with James Owen's filly; thereabouts for last year's winning connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(8)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

14:15 Curragh

Francophone

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

British raider is talented on her day; two-time winner at Listed level, but has come up well short in a trio of Group 2s this season, most recently when beaten 12.5l in the Duke Of Cambridge at Royal Ascot (1m, gd-fm); needs a revival stepped back up in trip.

11/1

11th

9

(14)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Francophone

9st 2lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Charlie Johnston

Dual Listed winner, including over 1m at Newmarket (good to firm; Arisaig third) in September; finished 10l adrift of Jancis on return in May but latest tenth of 12 in Curragh Group 2 (1m, good) is better than it reads, having been tapped for toe then getting no room when launching a rally; still likely to find a few too good.

50/1

10th

5

(8)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:20 Curragh

Francophone

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Twice a Listed winner, notably when beating Hey Boo over this trip at Newmarket on her final start last season; appears well held by Jancis based on a Group 2 clash at the same venue three weeks ago.

10/1

Form: 41230-

Last run: 225 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Placed at Listed/Group 3 level last year; disappointed in Newmarket Group 3 on final outing but has had only five starts and could resume her progress for her top stable in 2025.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(2)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

14:25 Haydock

Place Of Safety

9st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

Placed at Listed/Group 3 level last year; disappointed in Newmarket Group 3 on final outing but has had only five starts and could resume her progress for her top stable in 2025.

14/1

4

(2)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

14:25 Haydock

Place Of Safety

9st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

Placed at Listed/Group 3 level last year; disappointed in Newmarket Group 3 on final outing but has had only five starts and could resume her progress for her top stable in 2025.

14/1

14th

14

(1)

11th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket

Place Of Safety

9st 1lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: John & Thady Gosden

Has had only four races; won novice at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in July; much better form when second to Divina Grace in Listed race on the July course here (1m4f, good to firm; travelled best) and third of five in Group 3 here (1m4f, soft; made most) two weeks ago, both in a style which makes 1m2f look an attractive option; improvement is needed but possible.

10/1

Form: 8172-5 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won Group 2 Duke of Cambridge at 2024 Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) and ended her 4yo campaign with second to stablemate Friendly Soul in the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft); shaped as if needing the run when well-held fifth (Secret Satire fourth) in Newmarket Group 2 on reappearance and a potential class act here if back to anywhere near her best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(11)

17th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 1

16:00 Yarmouth

Running Lion

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Mercurial mare who is smart on her day; won 1m Group 2 at Royal Ascot and finished a close second in the Group 1 Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) last year; the effect of the cheekpieces that prompted an improved fourth when bidding to retain her Ascot crown has worn off the last twice, though, including when a surprise market mover but beaten 24l in the Group 1 Nassau (1m2f, heavy) last time; wins nothing on that form, and the widest stall is not helpful, but she'd be a big threat if first-time blinkers fire her up.

11/4

5th

1

(1)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Running Lion

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last June and went close in the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft); respectable fourth back at Royal Ascot last month but she hasn't been at her very best this season and looks vulnerable today; can lead.

25/1

4

(5)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Running Lion

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Ran creditably in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) when bidding for a second win in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes but finished behind two of today's rivals and there seems no obvious reason why she should reverse the placings; ran as if something was amiss in this contest last year.

10/1

Form: 1610-8 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Maiden (1m2f) and novice (1m4f) winner for William Haggas last year but well held at Listed level for a third time when eighth on 1m4f Goodwood return for new yard 22 days ago; needs to have come on a lot in a short time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(5)

17th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 1

16:00 Yarmouth

Sea Just In Time

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beat one home in this race last year for different connections and has struggled for her new yard this term, latterly when sixth of eight in the Listed Upavon at Salisbury (1m2f, good to firm) five weeks ago; first-time hood worn there is retained; work to do.

40/1

4

(1)

13th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 201y

Class 1

16:30 Salisbury

Sea Just In Time

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

2-4 for William Haggas, all last year, but ended on a low note for him and uncompetitive for new connections this season; while latest run was one of her better efforts in form terms, she was still beaten 12l in that 1m4f Listed race and needs a big career best to win this; hood goes on.

25/1

Form: 3105-4 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Headstrong sort but success in the 2024 Musidora at York shows she's very useful; led until around 1f out when fourth in 1m1f Newmarket Group 2 on reappearance, with the reopposing Running Lion in fifth; likely to be in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

14:25 Haydock

Secret Satire

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Headstrong sort but success in the 2024 Musidora at York shows she's very useful; led until around 1f out when fourth in 1m1f Newmarket Group 2 on reappearance, with the reopposing Running Lion in fifth; likely to be in the shake-up.

8/1

7

(4)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

14:25 Haydock

Secret Satire

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Headstrong sort but success in the 2024 Musidora at York shows she's very useful; led until around 1f out when fourth in 1m1f Newmarket Group 2 on reappearance, with the reopposing Running Lion in fifth; likely to be in the shake-up.

8/1

4th

5

(2)

4th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Secret Satire

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Andrew Balding

led, headed 1f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

12/1

Non-runners

Tasmania

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Running Lion

The Times:

Secret Satire

Telegraph:

Tasmania

TOPSPEED:

Place Of Safety

The Star:

Diamond Rain

Daily Mail:

Ambiente Amigo

Daily Record:

Secret Satire

The Guardian:

Tasmania

RP RATINGS:

Running Lion

POSTDATA:

Running Lion

NEWMARKET:

Running Lion

D Express:

Running Lion

Daily Mirror:

Running Lion

The Sun:

Running Lion