July 04 / 18.05 Haydock

18.05

Good

Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa Blackburn Handicap

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 1m 3f 140y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
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Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa Blackburn Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 83-1

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has a top-class pedigree and he improved with each of his three starts on AW, landing a 1m3f novice at Southwell when last seen in January; dictated a slow early pace on that occasion and he'll need more now handicapping on turf after an absence; stable form an obvious positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Mdawi

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Charlie Johnston

Improved RPR through his first six starts, unraced on firmer than good; won by a nose in handicap at Doncaster (1m4f) and running-on second of nine when upped markedly in grade at Goodwood last Wednesday, both about 1m4f; two days later when below form over 1m3f at Goodwood last Friday, making most; player if back on song eight days later.

9/2

12

(13)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 44y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

Mdawi

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Improved RPR with each of his six starts; second and first in very tight finishes to his first two handicaps and running-on second of nine when upped markedly in grade here on Wednesday, all about 1m4f (good to soft/good); this slightly shorter trip might not be ideal but he's still one to consider.

7/1

9

(2)

30th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Mdawi

8st 9lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Improved RPR with each of his five starts; strong at the finish when pipped at Haydock (good) on handicap debut and held on by a nose when he set the pace in six-runner race at Doncaster (good to soft) two weeks later, both over about 1m4f; up 4lb and markedly in grade but he's heading the right way.

16/1

Form: 80-449

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
No improvement for a step up in trip and switch to handicaps on his last two starts; drops in class today and new blinkers replace cheekpieces; needs more but that's possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:47 Newmarket (July)

Kuredu King

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Donald McCain

11.6f and 1m6f handicap winner last year for the Gosdens; soundly beaten on both attempts over hurdles for new yard but fourth of nine at 33-1 back on the Flat at Chester (2m) three weeks ago was much more like it; needs to build on that.

7/1

4th

3

(9)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Kuredu King

9st 13lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Donald McCain

11.6f and 1m6f handicap winner last year for the Gosdens; however, soundly beaten on both attempts over hurdles for new yard this spring, given wind surgery in between; player if he can tap back into those 2025 performances.

12/1

4th

4

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:03 Sedgefield

Kuredu King

10st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Two-time Flat winner at up to 1m6f, including on good, when with the Gosdens (RPR 87); 20-1 and never seriously involved on hurdles and stable debut at Huntingdon (2m, good) last month; since had wind surgery; more needed.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 54-846

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when sixth of ten in a 1m6f handicap at Sandown three weeks ago; that form looks solid enough and a 2lb drop helps; one to consider with cheekpieces now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Warwick

Kentucky River

11st 3lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Olly Murphy

Fair Flat racer who won easily over hurdles at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in April, his second handicap; well beaten in valuable Fakenham contest since but back in calmer waters and on a more conventional track here; remains of interest, albeit the forecast rain may not be in his favour.

6/1

9th

12

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Kentucky River

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Fair Flat racer who got off the mark over hurdles with easy success at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month, his second handicap; hiked up 15lb for that but still can't be opposed with much confidence here.

5/1

Form: 8-4146 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Sixth time lucky when winning a C&D handicap in May; ran well in a stronger race back here three weeks later and then saw no daylight at Newmarket two weeks ago; more exposed than most but should run his race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Is I Right

9st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: James Horton

Won over 11.5f at Haydock in May off 4lb lower; comes here on the back of two fair efforts over further at Chelmsford but this looks more competitive and he will need to raise his game to win.

6/1

6

(6)

18th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Is I Right

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: James Horton

Winner at Haydock in May (1m4f) and mostly creditable efforts since, including third over 1m6f here last week; no extra towards the finish on that occasion so this evening's slightly shorter trip could be ideal.

6/1

3

(1)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Is I Right

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: James Horton

Winner at Haydock in May (1m4f); promising fourth on AW debut here (1m2f) in April and better than result (caught wide and went for home too soon) when fourth back on AW at Wolverhampton (1m4f) last time; first attempt at 1m6f.

15/2

12/1

Form: -21637

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer; won a 1m handicap at Southwell in March off a 4lb lower mark; no progress since, including when failing to convince with his stamina in a 1m4f handicap at Thirsk seven weeks ago; new blinkers replace cheekpieces this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

20:12 Carlisle

West Tyrone

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Ex-Kevin Ryan; won a 1m AW handicap in March 2025; stays 1m2f but below-par when tried over further; bit to prove.

40/1

12th

11

(3)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Wetherby

West Tyrone

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Didn't progress as may have been expected following a 1m win at Southwell last March; dropped away to finish eighth of the nine runners on last month's stable debut at Newcastle (1m); enough to prove for now.

33/1

8th

2

(4)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

West Tyrone

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) last March and runner-up at Ayr in September on final run for Kevin Ryan; sold for 10,000GBP in October; lacks a recent outing but is not ruled out on his stable debut.

12/1

Form: 7-5722

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Improved for the step up to middle distances, runner-up in handicaps at Windsor and Newbury on his last two starts; creeping up the weights but should make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Kingmaker

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Still a maiden after ten runs but has finished second in three handicaps at around 1m4f this year and again ran well when third of six at Chelmsford (13.3f) last month; usually sticks to his task pretty well; probably won't be far away.

4/1

4

(3)

18th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Kingmaker

9st 8lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

0-9 but did bounce back from a lesser effort at Sandown (1m6f) when second at Southwell (1m4f) last month in his first handicap on AW; thereabouts with a repeat.

3/1

Form: 4-313

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Awarded a Lingfield novice event (1m2f, good to firm) in May having been narrowly denied by the errant winner; never-dangerous third on recent handicap debut at Ripon (1m4f, good); improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

18:58 Newmarket (July)

Percys Daydream

9st 13lb

J: David Probert

T: David O’Meara

Made the running when 1m2f handicap winner (good to firm) this year at Doncaster and Beverley; 25-1 and again set the pace when fourth of five in Listed race at Beverley (1m4f) 13 days ago, which was another good run but whether it's worth another 3lb rise in today's mark can be questioned.

14/1

4th

6

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 1

16:02 Beverley

Percys Daydream

8st 11lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Got back on the up when gaining a second handicap victory of 2026 over 1m2f here last month; this demands a significant step forward though.

25/1

1st

1

(4)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 4

16:17 Beverley

Percys Daydream

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Made a winning reappearance at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm; made virtually all) in April but she's been well beaten in two starts since, including over this trip at Leicester 15 days ago; has a bit to prove.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.20
Straight Forecast £46.83
Trifecta £302.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Kingmaker

SPOTLIGHT:

Kentucky River

POSTDATA:

Is I Right

NEWMARKET:

Kuredu King

Daily Mirror:

Mdawi

The Times:

Kentucky River

D Express:

Kentucky River

TOPSPEED:

Kingmaker

LAMBOURN:

Kingmaker

Telegraph:

Kingmaker

The Guardian:

Kingmaker

The Sun:

Kingmaker

The Star:

Kingmaker

Daily Record:

Kingmaker

Daily Mail:

Is I Right