May 30 / 17.30 Haydock

17.30

Good To Soft

Betfred ‘Bet Builder’ Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap

  • Prize money: £4221.95
  • 1m 3f 175y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Betfred ‘Bet Builder’ Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 08-651 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
1m4f turf and hurdles winner for previous yards; broke the ice for current trainer in amateurs' handicap at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) eight days ago in tidy style under Eireann Cagney; major player under 4lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Saligo Bay

11st 12lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Sam England

Progressive on the Flat and over hurdles last year, collecting eight wins (one over C&D) in total; absent since respectable fifth in Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in January, though, and current mark demands another personal best.

14/1

5th

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Saligo Bay

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won three in a row (1m7f/2m, good-soft) prior to heavy defeat at Windsor a fortnight ago; however, the ground was soft, heavy in places last time which may have been too demanding, and he's not written off today.

16/1

11th

12

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Saligo Bay

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sam England

Won on the Flat in September and also successful on four of his five hurdle starts since, including on soft ground and in good style at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last time; he's 7lb higher than last time and in a hotter race today, but he's clearly thriving and could go well once more.

11/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 0-26V5

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
15-race maiden; runner-up over 1m (heavy) last August and 1m4f (AW) this January; below form on latest AW start (tongue-tie went on) and he does not look the percentage call on this return to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(11)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

14:20 Chepstow

Bloodhound

10st 2lb

J: Miss Megan Jordan

T: Shaun Lycett

Regressive maiden who did his racing in the winter over further on the AW; not obviously fancied back from a few months off.

16/1

16

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bloodhound

9st 5lb

J: Miss Megan Jordan

T: Shaun Lycett

20/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 16080-

Last run: 269 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Won twice on AW early in 2024 but ended that campaign out of form and the last time he finished better than fifth in a turf race was back in August 2022; cheekpieces return instead of his usual blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(3)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Brunello Breeze

9st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

All three of wins have been at this track (two over C&D) but the latest was over two years ago; reported to have finished lame when a respectable fifth here 46 days ago; often slowly away but he holds each-way claims.

12/1

5th

3

(1)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:05 Newcastle (AW)

Brunello Breeze

9st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

All three wins have come at Newcastle but the latest was nearly two years ago; usually blows the start and not sure he is in the form required to exploit his reduced mark.

20/1

8

(3)

3rd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

17:45 Hamilton

Brunello Breeze

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Third at Haydock in May on final run for Tom Tate and he's of interest on that form; didn't run badly when sixth of seven at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) a fortnight ago on second stable start but needs something extra.

20/1

Form: 5976-5 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
All three wins on good to firm, including this race in 2023 and the latest was that July; thrown in judged on his placed form on turf in three runs last summer and not disgraced one month ago on reappearance, so this 9yo needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(2)

9th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Leicester

Unplugged

9st 13lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Boasts a good record at Pontefract, where he should have notched a fourth win early last month, and today's similarly stiff 1m2f should suit; not as consistent now, unsurprisingly given his age, but is still more than capable at this level.

8/1

2

(8)

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:15 Catterick

Unplugged

10st 13lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unraced here; goes particularly well at Pontefract where he just failed to catch Star Start over 1m2f last time; stays this far and should be on the scene.

11/4

2nd

1

(3)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:30 Pontefract

Unplugged

11st 2lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

9yo who has an excellent record at Pontefract, most recently taking advantage of a reduced mark in a 1m2f amateurs' event in June under Serena Brotherton; back up 4lb and well beaten at Haydock latest but has to be of interest back here unless the ground is softer than good.

7/2

Form: 09-V11 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won off a career-low mark at Musselburgh (2m, good; made all) and followed up in Jersey later in April, both under Brodie Hampson; remains way down the weights compared to last season in this hat-trick bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(2)

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:55 Bath

Throne Hall

11st 1lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Won back-to-back races at Musselburgh (2m) and Les Landes (1m5f) in April but he's been generally disappointing since; on dangerous mark on this step back up in trip but needs to turn things around; tongue-tie added.

9/2

6th

4

(6)

9th Sep 2025

Good

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

14:10 Catterick

Throne Hall

10st 7lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Won back-to-back at Musselburgh (2m) and Les Landes (1m5f) in April but has been below par of late; paid the price for doing too much too soon when a weakening fifth to Stellarmasterpiece (1m4f, here; beaten 2l) on penultimate start; easing mark helpful.

11/2

6

(6)

26th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

16:10 Lingfield (AW)

Throne Hall

10st 4lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Made all when winning in a small field at Musselburgh in April (2m, good) and he followed up in Jersey 19 days later; poor run at Doncaster last month but he bounced back with a solid effort at Catterick last week (1m4f, good to firm); shouldn't be far away.

7/1

Form: 5311-3 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Progressive as he went up in trip in handicaps last year, winning at Carlisle (1m3f, good) and Hamilton (1m4f, good to soft) on last two starts; creditable third at Pontefract (1m4f) on return and could resume progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:35 Cartmel

Ribble River

10st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Fair Flat racer with three middle-distance wins on his CV; yet to show any significant promise after four hurdle starts this year but has lowly mark for this handicap debut and some of that Flat ability may yet transfer to this discipline; watch the betting.

8/1

6th

4

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

14:17 Hexham

Ribble River

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Three-time Flat winner at 1m3f-1m4f but has yet to replicate that form over hurdles, being soundly beaten in both completed starts, on good ground; may do better in time but can only be watched at present.

50/1

5th

4

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:08 Cartmel

Ribble River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

No great shakes on the Flat for Kevin Ryan but did win three times at about 1m4f; however, it's been a poor start to his hurdling career.

50/1

Form: 83466- D

Last run: 228 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
2m wins at Catterick (good) and Chester (good to soft) last May and some echoes of that afterwards before leaving David O'Meara for 8,000gns last October; makes yard debut, with cheekpieces returning instead of his usual visor; well treated if back to the form of this time last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:35 Cartmel

Animato

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Ran well for a long way when third of seven on latest hurdling start, at Doncaster (2m, soft) in February, and will be fine on the faster ground here but recent Flat form has been underwhelming; others appeal more.

10/1

3rd

5

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

20:09 Carlisle

Animato

9st 8lb

J: Miss Lizzie O’Neill

T: Donald McCain

Five-time Flat winner for David O'Meara but hasn't really threatened to add to tally on the Flat or over hurdles for this yard, including back on the level last month.

25/1

5th

1

(1)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

18:00 Hamilton

Animato

11st 2lb

J: Miss Lizzie O’Neill

T: Donald McCain

Five-time Flat winner, the latest in May 2024, and he ran okay in February on his last hurdle start; he may have needed the run when back on the Flat three weeks ago and is not ruled out off a reduced mark.

16/1

Form: 04D133-

Last run: 221 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Ridden last six starts by Poppy Wynne, first past the post at Doncaster (1m6f, good to soft) last July but disqualified for whip offence; solid sequence continued but there may be a question over his readiness today after a break; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Worcester

Swift Tuttle

11st 4lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won over hurdles off today's mark in 2023 and was placed on the Flat last autumn, but returned from a layoff with a heavy Flat defeat last month and he's tricky to weigh up on this first hurdling start for 603 days; tongue-tie (last used last May) is refitted.

10/1

8th

10

(6)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

Swift Tuttle

10st 0lb

J: Miss Poppy Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Ridden last six starts by Poppy Wynne, first past the post at Doncaster (1m6f, good to soft) last July but disqualified for whip offence; solid sequence continued but there may be a question over his readiness today after a break; market may guide.

10/1

8th

10

(6)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

Swift Tuttle

10st 0lb

J: Miss Poppy Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Ridden last six starts by Poppy Wynne, first past the post at Doncaster (1m6f, good to soft) last July but disqualified for whip offence; solid sequence continued but there may be a question over his readiness today after a break; market may guide.

10/1

Form: 15-708 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

Non-runners

Tokyo Bay, Warning Sign

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.20
Straight Forecast £40.38
Tricast £788.02
Trifecta £690.40

Selections

Telegraph:

Ribble River

SPOTLIGHT:

Saligo Bay

D Express:

Tokyo Bay

LAMBOURN:

Throne Hall

RP RATINGS:

Unplugged

The Guardian:

Ribble River

Daily Mail:

Ribble River

Daily Mirror:

Ribble River

The Star:

Ribble River

Daily Record:

Ribble River

POSTDATA:

Saligo Bay

The Times:

Saligo Bay

The Sun:

Saligo Bay