July 18 / 16.25 Haydock

16.25

Good

Truly Independent 15th Year Gallop Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Qualifier) (GBBPlus)

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Truly Independent 15th Year Gallop Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Qualifier) (GBBPlus)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 411-7 BF

Last run: 82 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won 1m4f novice events at Kempton and Ascot (soft) last autumn; flopped on handicap debut at Southwell (AW) in April but she's still unexposed and is a half-sister to a useful winner at this trip; has claims if she can bounce back and any rain would be welcomed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Russian Crescendo

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: William Haggas

Won 1m4f novice events at Kempton and Ascot (soft) last autumn; flopped on handicap debut at Southwell (AW) in April but she's still unexposed and is a half-sister to a useful winner at this trip; has claims if she can bounce back and any rain would be welcomed.

2/1

4

(8)

27th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 3

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Russian Crescendo

9st 10lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Progressive in three novices last year, winning at Kempton (1m4f, Polytrack) in September and under a penalty at Ascot (1m4f, soft) the following month; makes her handicap debut after seven months off and, like many of these, the market should indicate what is expected.

7/2

Form: 111130

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Blew the start and was tailed off at Epsom last month; has done well over middle distances otherwise this season, completing four-timer prior to a good effort at Newbury in May; still has scope for further progress but has bit to prove after that last run and this is a new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(4)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Beauld As Brass

11st 10lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: George Baker

Habitual slow starter who has had major blips in two of his last three runs, but he's also won five times (1m2f-1m6f) this season including at Haydock (good) on his penultimate run; still looks feasibly treated on that form and has claims if he can bounce back again with Patrick Mullins booked; tongue-tie added.

6/1

8th

7

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 97y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Beauld As Brass

8st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: George Baker

Habitual slow starter; badly overdid it on penultimate outing (tailed off) but otherwise having a cracking season; that's despite another markedly slow start when upped to 1m6f at Haydock (good; not proven on softer) on latest outing, in which he got up by a neck in a slowly run race; raised another 3lb but it's the extra 6f which gives him far more to prove.

16/1

2

(3)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Beauld As Brass

9st 8lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Blew the start and was tailed off at Epsom last month; has done well over middle distances otherwise this season, completing four-timer prior to a good effort at Newbury in May; still has scope for further progress but has bit to prove after that last run and this is a new trip.

13/2

Form: 221-40 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Generally reliable filly who ended last season with a clearcut win at Nottingham (1m6f); well held in both runs this term but she now goes back up in trip and is a big player if she can get back near best; her wins have come on good to soft and heavy but she handles most ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:58 Nottingham

Pique

9st 12lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: James Fanshawe

Consistent on varied ground last season, which she rounded off with a win in this race; no joy this term but still makes appeal on some of that turf form.

5/1

1

(2)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

18:25 Newcastle (AW)

Pique

9st 11lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: James Fanshawe

Consistent during her 3yo campaign, winning at Leicester (1m4f, good to soft) and Nottingham (1m6f, heavy) either side of four runner-up finishes; not beaten far on her last two starts (1m6f) and she's a solid contender back down in trip.

9/2

Form: 1311/9 C

Last run: 195 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Three middle-distance wins during a progressive campaign in 2023 but he missed last year and didn't show much on his comeback at Southwell (1m3f) in January; now takes a big step back up in trip and has plenty to prove after another break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Goodwood

In The Breeze

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Henrietta C Knight

Had a 1m4f win for Mick Appleby last September and another for Henrietta Knight at Thirsk this April; however, no show in a more competitive race on latest start, has never won over further than 1m4f and, although probably stays 1m6f, his sole attempt at 2m (final start last term) was not persuasive.

20/1

11th

8

(14)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

In The Breeze

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Henrietta C Knight

Won at Pontefract (1m4f, good to soft) for Mick Appleby last September and bounced back from below-par efforts to end 2025 when making a successful start for the Henrietta Knight stable over 1m4f at Thirsk (good) four weeks ago; did that readily but this looks significantly tougher than that five-runner affair.

16/1

1st

4

(3)

10th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 3

17:00 Thirsk

In The Breeze

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Henrietta C Knight

Won at Pontefract (1m4f, good to soft) in September off just 3lb lower and final three defeats for Mick Appleby were over further; could go well if ready for action after his break.

14/1

Form: 410/4- D

Last run: 525 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Record of 5-11 on AW but he was well held at Wolverhampton (1m6f) last February and has been on the sidelines since; returns after 525 days off and has lots to prove back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(6)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

16:20 Kempton (AW)

Melakaz

9st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Stephens

Lightly raced since 2023 and still needs to prove he retains peak ability; has won over C&D (off 4lb higher) but failed to repeat the form back here last time.

20/1

3

(4)

13th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:45 Kempton (AW)

Melakaz

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Robert Stephens

His improved form in 2023 culminated with a C&D win but he's run only three times since and he didn't show enough at Haydock in July, following an absence, to earmark for this race.

20/1

Form: 14155- D

Last run: 281 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won two handicaps (1m6f/2m) on the Flat last season and he's done well switched to hurdling for new yard since May including a win at Huntingdon (2m4f, good); still has potential as a stayer on the Flat and he's in the mix back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:42 Worcester

Knights Affair

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Fair Flat racer who battled well to pip Don Virginia in small field at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) last month and is now 2-4 over hurdles; ought to run his race again but others have more compelling form.

12/1

3

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

14:57 Stratford

Knights Affair

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Dual Flat winner who scored on hurdling debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in May and came second on both subsequent hurdling starts (2m5f/2m; form well advertised by the two winners since); not at best when back on the Flat last month but a major player.

6/4

6

(5)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Knights Affair

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jamie Snowden

Won two handicaps (1m6f/2m) on the Flat last season and he's done well switched to hurdling for new yard since May including a win at Huntingdon (2m4f, good); still has potential as a stayer on the Flat and he's in the mix back in this sphere.

11/2

Form: 231/3

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Flat winner in France (1m5f, good to soft) as a 3yo, but has since won twice over hurdles (RPR 128) and once over fences (RPR 143) for Willie Mullins; made her debut for this yard last month and she finished a respectable third behind an improver at Ffos Las (1m4f, soft); has possibilities if she can build on that and this step back up in trip is a positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

14:00 Huntingdon

Paggane

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Better than ever for current yard, gaining two Listed wins on right-handed tracks (good to soft); jumped that way at times when held at left-handed Doncaster in hat-trick attempt; clear on ratings and the return to a clockwise course is ideal.

1/3

1st

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Paggane

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

All her improvement for Willie Mullins came over longer trips and she very nearly won last season's Killarney National over 3m2f; however, after two respectable Flat runs for this yard, she returned to jumps with a near miss over a similar trip to today's in Chepstow's always-competitive Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle; clearly retains significant ability.

5/2

1st

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Paggane

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

All her improvement for Willie Mullins came over longer trips and she very nearly won last season's Killarney National over 3m2f; however, after two respectable Flat runs for this yard, she returned to jumps with a near miss over a similar trip to today's in Chepstow's always-competitive Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle; clearly retains significant ability.

5/2

Form: 391136 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with two 1m6f wins (good/good to firm) last month, but his form has dropped off again in two subsequent runs; got pestered for the lead at York last time but he's hard to predict and others are more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

17:32 Chester

Curran

9st 7lb

J: Oliver Searle

T: Rod Millman

Has a patchy profile but he hasn't been with current yard for long and he won at Bath (1m6f, good) last month; only sixth of seven here (2m) last time but he ran well for a long way and was beaten less than 4l; still looks on a workable mark and he could make a bold bid back in trip.

11/2

6th

5

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Curran

9st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Rod Millman

Ex-Charlie Johnston for whom he finished third in this last year (2lb higher); joined Rod Millman for 6,000gns; tailed off on yard debut but always in the van when battling on best at Bath (1m6f, good); only 2lb higher but he's up into a Class 4 now.

9/2

1st

4

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Bath

Curran

9st 5lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Rod Millman

All four wins when trained by Charlie Johnston; sold to join current yard for 6,000gns last October; had wind surgery prior to his stable debut when he was tailed off at Newbury (1m4f, good) three weeks ago; stepping back up in trip will be more suitable but difficult to fancy at present.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £88.00
Straight Forecast £87.46
Tricast £350.16
Trifecta £480.60

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Russian Crescendo

TOPSPEED:

Knights Affair

LAMBOURN:

Paggane

RP RATINGS:

Melakaz

SPOTLIGHT:

Pique'

The Sun:

Curran

Daily Mirror:

Beauld As Brass

Daily Mail:

Russian Crescendo

D Express:

Russian Crescendo

Daily Record:

Russian Crescendo

POSTDATA:

Knights Affair

Telegraph:

Knights Affair

The Times:

Paggane

The Guardian:

Paggane

The Star:

Melakaz