May 24 / 16.40 Haydock

16.40

Good To Firm

Carfinance247 New Boston Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 2m 0f 46y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Carfinance247 New Boston Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 88-307 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Completed a handicap hat-trick last summer (second leg at this track) and ran well in Listed event on return; flopped next time and although 4l seventh at Newmarket three weeks ago was a sizeable recovery, he needs better than that; this third attempt at about 2m now looks in order.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22th

13

(17)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Align The Stars

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Not often seen on softer than good but he won on good to soft in June 2024; failed to shine at this meeting in 2024 or 2025, during a long losing run; he's broken that with two 2m wins on the AW this year, most notably in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in June, and also second at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) in May, but only mid-division behind Hopewell Rock at Goodwood three weeks ago; others seem more likely.

40/1

7th

2

(10)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Won this race in 2024 before embarking on a long losing run; he's broken that with two 2m wins on the AW this year, most notably in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last time; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) in May was followed by a blip here; back up another 4lb since Newcastle but not entirely ruled out.

12/1

1st

4

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared at Kempton (2m, AW) in March with restored cheekpieces, which have been kept since; good second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) but he needs to bounce back from a disappointing show at Goodwood five weeks ago.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1112 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Ended 2024 with two wins and started 2025 with three more; return to turf 15 days ago was an extremely bold show to be second of 15 in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) and, despite a 5lb rise, another looks on its way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(6)

17th Oct 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

13:30 Ascot

Caballo De Mar

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Disappointed twice this summer but his fortunes have turned around spectacularly with a switch to blinkers and tongue-tie; won a weak Doncaster Cup (2m2f, good) on first occasion but followed up by narrowly getting the better of staying star Scandinavia in the Cadran at Longchamp (2m4f; for second year running) two weeks ago; he's a star himself (that was his third French Group 1 win) with the best form in this line-up and he needs great respect despite going back to 2m.

7/2

1st

1

(6)

11th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Caballo De Mar

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Group 1 wins at Longchamp last October (2m4f Cadran, very soft) and this May (near 2m, soft) and every bit as good when short-headed at Ascot (good to firm) earlier in May; however, he cracked in the final 2f of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2m4f) and underperformed in lesser Group company at York three weeks ago; gives plenty of weight all round but has a major shout if he returns to his best in first-time blinkers (which replace longstanding cheekpieces) and first tongue-tie.

5/4

4th

1

(1)

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Caballo De Mar

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Registered Group 1 wins at Longchamp last October (2m4f Cadran, very soft) and this May (near 2m, soft) and every bit as good when short-headed at Ascot (good to firm) earlier in May; 7-1 for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) nine weeks ago and raced in second for a long way before cracking in the final 2f (vet reported signs of heat stress); concedes 3lb all round today but tried to go head-to-head with the best stayers around last time and they are now absent; good chance if back to form.

2/1

Form: 360-66

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Often ridden by Zak Wheatley; slow starts have been interfering with what used to be a front-running role; best known for exploits at Chester, admittedly last winning any race in July 2023; ran creditably off this mark in good handicaps both starts this term, sixth in the Chester Cup last time, but he was third in this race last year and may come up a bit short once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

15:12 Cartmel

Emiyn

11st 4lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Useful Flat stayer who has made the frame on all three hurdling starts; left behind by wide-margin winner when second here (2m6f, soft) last month but that was still a good effort and he's a contender over this shorter trip.

5/1

5

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:38 Cartmel

Emiyn

11st 4lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Useful Flat performer and was running okay (beaten 5l in the Chester Cup) until below par last time with a visor back on (now discarded); two respectable efforts over hurdles last year, notably when second in an Aintree maiden; every chance; has no clear ground preferences.

7/4

4

(7)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 46y

Class 2

16:40 Haydock

Emiyn

8st 13lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Often ridden by Zak Wheatley; slow starts have been interfering with what used to be a front-running role; best known for exploits at Chester, admittedly last winning any race in July 2023; ran creditably off this mark in good handicaps both starts this term, sixth in the Chester Cup last time, but he was third in this race last year and may come up a bit short once again.

4/1

Form: 0932-7

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Three turf wins in France; 0-7 in Britain and the most competitive of those displays came when close up on the Kempton Polytrack (2m) late last year; reappearance over 1m4f can be forgiven and several stablemates have surged back to winning form recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Sheradann

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

Not the most consistent but won off this mark over C&D in October and ran well at Lingfield on penultimate outing; a bit below form when hooded first time 15 days ago in a small field; player if it's one of his good days.

25/1

4th

3

(4)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 3

16:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sheradann

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Not the most consistent but won off 1lb lower mark at Kempton (2m) in October; returned to form when third of eight at Lingfield (2m) two weeks ago; first-time hood now goes on and another to consider.

9/4

3rd

6

(9)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Sheradann

8st 13lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ian Williams

Saw off reopposing stablemate Enemy when successful over 2m at Kempton in October but down the field in a series final there at the beginning of December and eased off after hanging left under pressure at Newcastle last month; hard to know what to expect.

18/1

Form: 161473

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Had a good winter on AW over 1m2f-1m4f and back to form on latest start, staying on over 1m4f; badly hampered when he tried 2m on penultimate outing and he failed to prove himself at 1m6f the time before; stamina therefore remains unproven and none of his turf form is near this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(5)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 208y

Class 4

14:13 Musselburgh

Humble Spark

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Campaigned mainly over further and has done most of his winning on AW; form has dipped of late and his losing run continues to mount up; wears new headgear.

12/1

9th

1

(7)

21st Sep 2026

Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 5

14:47 Hamilton

Humble Spark

10st 1lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Six of his seven wins have been on AW; may just have needed the run after a break when fifth at Ayr on Thursday (1m5f, soft) and has an each-way chance.

8/1

5th

12

(1)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:01 Ayr

Humble Spark

8st 11lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Went close to snapping long losing run in Queen Mother's Cup at York (1m4f, good) in June; a danger to all if in that form but three lesser runs have followed.

10/1

Form: 21-281 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won easily at York (soft) last October when back up to 2m; better form in two of his three starts this season, bouncing back to win the Chester Plate (2m2f, good) on latest with a strong late bid from the rear; 4lb higher today but may well have more to offer at 2m+.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

26th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:45 Ripon

Gibside

9st 4lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner; mainly well below par this season and failed to beat a rival in 1m6f handicap at Carlisle last month; needs to take a major step forward.

12/1

6th

6

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 32y

Class 4

16:45 Carlisle

Gibside

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner but he's yet to hit top form this season and came in a never-dangerous third of five in 1m6f handicap at Thirsk 18 days ago; not easy to make a case for despite a falling mark.

8/1

Non-runners

Oxford Comma

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.60
Straight Forecast £21.35
Trifecta £56.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Caballo De Mar

RP RATINGS:

Align The Stars

The Guardian:

Gibside

POSTDATA:

Emiyn

NEWMARKET:

Caballo De Mar

The Times:

Caballo De Mar

Telegraph:

Caballo De Mar

Daily Mail:

Caballo De Mar

D Express:

Caballo De Mar

The Sun:

Caballo De Mar

The Star:

Caballo De Mar

Daily Record:

Caballo De Mar

TOPSPEED:

Align The Stars

Daily Mirror:

Align The Stars