July 03 / 14.40 Haydock

14.40

Good

Yale Smart Stride Apprentice Training Series Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Series)

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
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Yale Smart Stride Apprentice Training Series Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Series)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 574300 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Below par the last twice and has to get back on track but he drops in grade and is 3lb lower than when a good third at Ripon (6f, good) three starts ago; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces and he's not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

29th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

True Promise

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Fionn McSharry

Four wins on Tapeta elsewhere, at 5f-7f, all in 2024; has been involved in several tight finishes since December, including for Oisin Murphy at Kempton (6f) in April, and while he's been on much the same mark throughout, he's worth another go over a bare 5f; thereabouts.

4/1

12th

8

(12)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

True Promise

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Fionn McSharry

Yet to win in ten starts for current stable but he has been placed in seven of them, including back on turf at Wetherby 13 days ago (5.5f, good to firm); should run his race but this looks a tough race in which to end his losing streak.

10/1

2nd

3

(3)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Wetherby

True Promise

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Fionn McSharry

String of good AW runs for current yard since December; his turf record is less compelling but he has been placed on good ground; others are preferred for win purposes.

100/30

Form: 215415 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Only fifth of seven at Hamilton a fortnight ago but she's twice made all there this season (5f, good to firm/good), including on her penultimate outing; also effective elsewhere and could bounce back with a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(1)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Ripon

Hurt You Never

9st 6lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

14-66 and somewhat of a Hamilton Park specialist; creditable third to Vince L'Amour (Betweenthesticks second) over C&D on penultimate start but, that aside, she hasn't been overly competitive; easing mark (8lb below her last winning one) offers some hope.

14/1

9th

5

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Carlisle

Hurt You Never

9st 3lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Best on good/firmer; 14-time winner who showed clear signs of a return to form at Ripon last time, finishing third; enters calculations off 6lb below last winning mark.

13/2

3rd

6

(7)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ripon

Hurt You Never

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Adrian Nicholls

Prolific winner who is on a dangerous mark but she's been out of sorts since completing a double at Hamilton (5f, good) last August; has plenty to prove and needs to turn things around back in trip.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-6156 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Two wins on AW in the winter and it was her first run for just over four months when sixth of seven over C&D 12 days ago; could show the benefit of that outing this afternoon and she had a very solid record here last season; no surprise to see a big performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Haydock

Secret Mistral

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Course regular who landed her third race here when making all over C&D (good) in July; similar form when second at Chester (5.5f, soft) last time; player.

9/2

2nd

5

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Secret Mistral

9st 6lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

Recorded her sixth win when making all at Haydock (5f, good) in July but she's not gone on from that in three runs since; ran respectably at Haydock last time but she looks weighted near her best off this mark and could be vulnerable again.

13/2

7

(8)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Secret Mistral

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Tony Carroll

Well beaten over C&D last month but that was a rare start on fast ground; has won here three times, the latest over C&D (good) in July, and she's also won on soft ground; could bounce back with a bold show.

8/1

Form: 235813 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won at Nottingham (5f, good) in May and very close third at Catterick (5f, good to soft) next time; has won over C&D, and on fast ground, and there's every chance he'll be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

17

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Glory Fighter

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; not disgraced at Ripon next time; should make another bold bid.

16/1

5th

4

(1)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ripon

Glory Fighter

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; there wasn't much separating the first five but he's only 2lb higher here and should give it another good shot.

7/2

1st

2

(4)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:57 Nottingham

Glory Fighter

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Ten-time turf winner, including C&D; close third at Newcastle when last seen in February; one to consider.

9/2

Form: 31-796 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who has the same mark as when scoring over C&D last September on his final outing for David O'Meara; however, this 8yo has been well below his best on his three outings this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(3)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Soul Seeker

10st 2lb

J: Mr Daniel Perrin

T: Philip Kirby

Regressive 9yo who hasn't been offering much for a while now.

33/1

7th

9

(9)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:35 Musselburgh

Soul Seeker

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Regressive 9yo; beaten around 4l on his last two starts and needs to up his game to trouble the principals.

33/1

7th

8

(9)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Soul Seeker

9st 0lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Down to a basement mark and he's one to watch in the betting, but it's been a long time since this regressive 9yo has been competitive.

25/1

Form: 231122 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row in May (5f, good/AW) and his good form has continued, finishing second of four at Salisbury (5f, good to firm) last Wednesday; has won over C&D and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(4)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Street Life

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Won twice on AW this winter, including C&D, and he is now 2lb lower than for the second win; has gone quiet more recently though and could prove vulnerable for win purposes once again.

12/1

6th

7

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran who was recording the 14th win of his career when scoring off this mark over C&D in January; short of his best on his last four starts but the ability is there if his new rider can coax it out of him.

16/1

11th

10

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Five-time course winner but finished behind Irish Dancer and Woodhay Whisper here last time, with no obvious excuses.

14/1

Form: 495348 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Kicked off his turf campaign with three creditable runs in defeat (5f, good/good to firm) then had an excuse for lesser run at Thirsk, where he stumbled at the start; might not be far away in first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(9)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:52 Catterick

Fortunate Star

9st 7lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

C&D winner who also finished third in this last year; has been in good nick since the visor went on, winning a classified at Southwell and Newcastle (February/March) and placed in three handicaps (also 5f, AW) subsequently; can take a grip so today's likely good pace will suit and he gets on well with Conor Whiteley; player.

9/2

3rd

1

(9)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:57 Southwell (AW)

Fortunate Star

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

Won classified events over C&D in February and at Newcastle in March; placed in handicap company on both starts since, latest when a close third of 13 here 13 days; good claims once again.

7/2

3rd

3

(2)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Fortunate Star

9st 7lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

Won classified events over C&D and at Newcastle (penalised) before being brushed aside by Little Mi Mi at Newcastle three weeks ago; a 5lb turnaround in the weights should see things finish closer today.

9/2

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Street Life

The Guardian:

Glory Fighter

Daily Mail:

True Promise

RP RATINGS:

Soul Seeker

POSTDATA:

Street Life

The Times:

Street Life

Telegraph:

Street Life

Daily Mirror:

Street Life

The Star:

Street Life

Daily Record:

Street Life

D Express:

Glory Fighter

The Sun:

Glory Fighter