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

5th

4

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

19:35 Chester

True Promise

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Fionn McSharry

Ended losing run with an emphatic success at Wolverhampton (5f) six weeks ago and the runner-up has done his bit for the form since; still seeking a first turf win though and following up off 7lb higher won't be easy.

7/2

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

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

9th

3

(6)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Beverley

Hurt You Never

9st 8lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Multiple winner down the years but is 0-7 this term and her form has declined to some degree, as current mark reflects; drops back to Class 6 for the first time in a while.

14/1

5th

4

(7)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 143y

Class 5

17:40 Doncaster

Hurt You Never

10st 13lb

J: Mr Jack Lander

T: Adrian Nicholls

Only fifth in a field of six last week at Nottingham, but was close up behind Spirit Of Applause and that represented some return to form.

20/1

5th

7

(1)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Hurt You Never

9st 3lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Adrian Nicholls

C&D winner who returned to form when third at Ripon (5f, good) in May and is 5lb lower today; however, this 7yo has struggled on both starts since and has something to prove.

14/1

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

1st

1

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Secret Mistral

10st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Six-time winner; effective at this track and she arrives on the back of a good second under Myla Coppins at Nottingham (5f, good) three weeks ago; has a low draw and looks set for another big run.

9/2

2nd

6

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

19:45 Nottingham

Secret Mistral

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Six-time winner including four on turf (good/soft); runner-up in final two starts last season but she struggled at Wolverhampton (6f) in her final run last year; this drop back in trip looks a good move on her return but her last three wins have been in Class 5 events and others are preferred.

11/1

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

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

6th

5

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:52 Catterick

Glory Fighter

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two of 11 wins have been over C&D; latest success was at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but rather disappointing since; has a bit to prove.

9/1

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

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