July 05 / 16.25 Haydock

16.25

Good

Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

  • Prize money: £26170
  • 0m 7f 37y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 121650 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Progressive spell on AW culminated in Listed win; regressive RPRs in Group races since returned to turf but may prove resurgent back down in class; whether he can defy top weight is another matter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Royal Zabeel

10st 3lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Respectable fifth in this year's Victoria Cup; prevailed last Saturday to take C&D record to 2-2 and overall strike-rate to 7-23; incurs 6lb penalty but Conor Whiteley takes off a useful 5lb; major player.

8/1

1st

3

(7)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Royal Zabeel

9st 12lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Down the field in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm) but was on the unfavoured far side and prior to that he ran well when fifth of 21 in the Victoria Cup there (7f, good); won over C&D last August; chance.

6/1

20th

10

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Royal Zabeel

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

A strike-rate of 4-7 on AW includes two Listed wins, at 7f and 6f; not quite so good on grass as yet but he has a 7lb lower turf mark and indicated he could make it pay when an excellent fifth in the big-field Victoria Cup over 7f here (good; has won on good to firm) in May, not ideally positioned there as it turned out; one to consider back at 6f.

18/1

Form: 2-5887 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Yet to make the frame this term; however, ran encouragingly at Royal Ascot most recently and has become attractively treated; defied a 2lb higher mark in major 7f handicap last July and can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(13)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Northern Express

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

High-class handicapper at 7f/1m; winless since landing a valuable 7f handicap at Ascot in July 2024 but he is now 7lb lower and he retains plenty of ability; should be sharper with last month's reappearance behind him; bold bid expected as he attempts to win this race for a second time.

10/1

5th

1

(10)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Northern Express

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

High-class handicapper at 7f/1m; winless since landing a valuable 7f handicap at Ascot in July 2024 but he is now 6lb lower and three runs in Bahrain this winter suggested he retained a chunk of ability; back from four months off and this is perhaps not the day to catch him.

10/1

3rd

5

(11)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Northern Express

9st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

7yo who hasn't been able to reproduce his very best form this season but he's dropped down the weights accordingly and there have been promising signs on his last few starts, finishing fifth of 17 over C&D (good to firm) in August and fourth of 14 at Ayr (1m, soft) last time; in the mix.

5/1

Form: 23/1-0 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Showed fairly useful form in French/German races; tailed-off last in Royal Ascot handicap (7f) on British/seasonal debut and is best watched unless the market suggests a rebound is likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(10)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Inside Matters

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Showed fairly useful form in French/German races; tailed-off last in Royal Ascot handicap (7f) on British/seasonal debut and is best watched unless the market suggests a rebound is likely.

20/1

27th

15

(13)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Inside Matters

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Well connected; unraced on quicker than good to soft, winning a 7f Compiegne maiden on very soft last July; gelded and had wind surgery since; interesting type but easier options will be available later.

33/1

Form: 5-6863 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Well suited by ground softer than good; placed at Epsom last time in a race he'd won twice previously; remains nicely handicapped on peak form and he scored over this C&D very early in career; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(1)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 2

15:25 Hamilton

Rhoscolyn

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

A superstar down the years and he's quite well treated again now but all his handicap wins at 7f and 1m have been on downhill tracks on good to soft or slower ground; better days ahead once the rains come.

16/1

11th

2

(13)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

17:50 Epsom

Rhoscolyn

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Down the field in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month but promising reappearance there (7f, good) previously; won this race in 2021 (good to soft) and 2024 (good to soft) and was third last year (good to soft); this week's rain has been in his favour and he's on a dangerous mark.

9/2

Form: 521-38 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Proved a handful in the preliminaries and ran below par last time; reapplication of hood looks a good move, especially when considering he's 1-1 in this headgear (useful win on AW); may still have further progress in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Bobby Bennu

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Winless last season but ran some promising races and did likewise when fourth on his reappearance at Chester (7f, good; Supido third), having been dropped in from a wide draw; continues to drop down the weights; chance.

6/1

4th

6

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Bobby Bennu

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Course winner; only eighth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; 4lb lower today but he is drawn wide and this may not be his day.

16/1

Form: 0-6490 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Suited by good/firmer; on a long losing run and below best this term but bagged Group 3 honours over C&D two years ago and is very well treated on that form; returns to his optimum trip after tackling the Wokingham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Newmarket (July)

Jumby

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

On a three-year losing run and nothing like the force of old but his current mark reflects that and this is a good bit easier than the two handicaps he tackled in the spring; no surprise were this class dropper to go well with his yard among the winners.

8/1

12th

29

(24)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Jumby

8st 12lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Two-time Group winner over 7f but is on a near three-year losing spell and current mark reflects that he's not the force of old (admittedly showed bits of useful form in 2025); needs to step up on reappearance effort; failed to shine in the last two runnings of this contest.

33/1

8th

4

(12)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Jumby

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

C&D winner who could only beat one home in this race when it was staged as a Class 2 last year; managed a handful of creditable efforts subsequently but it's hard to ignore his last win came back in June 2023 (7f Group 3); returns on reduced mark.

20/1

Form: 7-7050 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
C&D success last July initiated a hat-trick; better than his form figures this season suggest, poorly drawn in Royal Ascot contest most recently; possibilities off 1lb below last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Cerulean Bay

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Two wins at Goodwood last autumn and admirably consistent in defeat this season, going close in a big field over C&D (good) then finishing fifth in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm; second of 20 in group); there is every chance that he will be bang there.

3/1

5th

7

(22)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Cerulean Bay

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Completed a Goodwood double during his 2025 campaign; good second in notable handicap at the York Dante festival (1m, good) most recently, going down by only a neck; he's paying the price for his consistency, however, with the assessor failing to relent.

25/1

Form: 330-26 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
On a long losing sequence but his respectable record over C&D includes a solid effort on 2025 reappearance (close second; form has been franked); enters calculations off the same mark returned to Haydock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Gorak

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.

16/1

3

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Gorak

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Charlie Fellowes

Record over C&D includes a success in May 2023 and solid second on reappearance this term; disappointing favourite here on penultimate start and losing run is mounting up; best form certainly gives him a good chance off current mark back down in grade.

7/1

11

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Gorak

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.

33/1

Form: 2315-6

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Sole 3yo in the field; Group placed last term; ran promisingly, amid traffic issues, at Newcastle (6f, AW) last Saturday on reappearance while shaping as if this return to 7f is well worth exploring; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

15:55 Doncaster

Intrusively

9st 12lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Good and bad in five runs for this yard, but wasn't beaten far the last time at Newcastle (1m) and on the evidence of that run this far is worth exploring.

7/1

4th

7

(14)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:18 Newcastle (AW)

Intrusively

9st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

Down the field on three of his four starts for this yard, including at Doncaster three weeks ago on latest outing; however, prior to that he caught the eye with a close fourth at Nottingham and he's 4lb lower today; capable of going well.

10/1

4th

10

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Intrusively

9st 3lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His sole win was in a maiden in August 2024 but he turned things around with a close fourth at Nottingham (8.3f, good) last month; didn't get the best of runs in that race and has claims if he can back that up.

6/1

Form: 61-353

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Winning sprinter for previous yards; went close upped to 7f at Newbury (good) last month, taking form figures for current stable to 353; unexposed over this distance and looks one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(7)

26th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

11:15 Doncaster

Photosynthesis

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Ended last season with a win off just 1lb lower; has steadily found his form this term, creditable third over C&D most recently; possibilities, provided he takes well to first-time headgear.

4/1

3rd

2

(3)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

20:05 Doncaster

Photosynthesis

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Off the mark for this stable at Newmarket in September; lively in the betting for both starts this spring and he built on a midfield finish at Newbury when fourth of ten at Ascot (again 6f, good) four weeks ago; respected from the same mark.

4/1

Form: 026863 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly at sprint trips but ran respectably over 7f last summer; very long losing sequence is a bigger issue but he's well capable of being involved and record at Haydock features a Group 2 success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Kings Lynn

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

0-9 on the AW, but has gone very close on Tapeta on three occasions; 2lb lower than when beaten a head in a 0-110 contest over C&D in August and if able to reproduce that sort of form he would have a good chance.

7/1

6

(4)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Kings Lynn

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Ended his lengthy losing run when winning a 7f handicap at Haydock in July; similar form on a couple of occasions since and he ran creditably in a hot 6f handicap at York two weeks ago; one to consider back down into Class 3 company.

9/1

17

(11)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Kings Lynn

8st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Not the force of old (won the Group 2 Temple Stakes in 2022) but he ended a long losing run at Haydock (7f, good) in July and went down only narrowly at Newcastle in August; however, he should have fared better at Ascot last time and he's been unplaced on both his previous outings at York.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £163.40
Straight Forecast £122.88
Tricast £1399.76
Trifecta £2466.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gorak

RP RATINGS:

Northern Express

TOPSPEED:

Rhoscolyn

POSTDATA:

Intrusively

Daily Mirror:

Photosynthesis

Telegraph:

Inside Matters

The Times:

Intrusively

Daily Record:

Photosynthesis

NEWMARKET:

Gorak

Daily Mail:

Gorak

The Guardian:

Northern Express

The Star:

Northern Express

D Express:

Rhoscolyn

The Sun:

Rhoscolyn