September 05 / 13.32 Haydock

13.32

Good

Betfair HPR Training Series Apprentice Handicap (Racing Excellence Series) (Grassroots Stayers Qual)

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Betfair HPR Training Series Apprentice Handicap (Racing Excellence Series) (Grassroots Stayers Qual)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather:

Form: 21-883

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
1m7f winner (good to soft) in France last summer and he scored twice on good ground over hurdles for this yard in May; tongue-tie added to cheekpieces when third of six behind progressive 3yos in Flat handicap at Doncaster (2m, good to soft; 25-1) on latest outing, showing enough to be considered today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

10th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:02 Ludlow

Pergamon

11st 13lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Seems a spring type and he prevailed at Huntingdon (2m) last month on return from break, adding to his wins last May and taking hurdles record to 3-6 (3-3 on good ground in this sphere); respected with further improvement plausible.

11/10

1st

6

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Pergamon

11st 2lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Got his hurdling career off to a perfect start when winning two in a row at Plumpton and Kelso last May; hasn't really gone on from that promise in handicaps and resumes following a five-month break.

16/1

3

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Pergamon

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Fair Flat stayer who launched hurdling career with two 2m wins in May; slightly disappointing when only fourth at Hexham in June and also below par on the Flat last month but remains unexposed over jumps; upped in trip for handicap debut; a possible.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 928981 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Five wins last year and another at Newmarket on latest outing, all over 1m6f on a range of ground; went close on his only start here; back up 3lb but firmly in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

The Crafty Mole

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) in August and at Ripon (2m, good) last month, appearing to idle in front on the second occasion having travelled extremely well; stayed on for fourth at Redcar (1m6f, good to soft) subsequently and the return to 2m could be a strong positive; major player.

9/1

4th

1

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 218y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

The Crafty Mole

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won in Class 6 on soft and good to soft last year but withdrawn from good to soft on Thursday; first six wins were 1m6f, including at Newmarket this August, and he travelled much the best at Ripon (2m) one week ago before scraping home in front; up 3lb but return to 1m6f is clearly no disincentive and two of his wins last year were separated by only five days; player.

5/2

Form: -49850 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
All of his wins have been on ground softer than good; only one win (July 2024) in the last two years, despite having his ground on plenty of other occasions last season, but he's now on his lowest mark since 2022 and should be of renewed interest in the autumn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:20 Musselburgh

Zimmerman

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Solid effort when second of eight at Catterick ten days ago (2m, good; first run in this combination of accessories); should remain competitive.

11/2

2nd

2

(4)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Zimmerman

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

The odd sign of spark last season and he may have needed his recent comeback run; down to a dangerous mark but this 7yo has been regressive and is winless since July 2024; cheekpieces return for first time since last May.

6/1

6th

4

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Zimmerman

9st 10lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Drew a blank in 2025 but he did reach the frame on both C&D visits, including C&D reappearance; off for 196 days; David Allan partners the other Tim Easterby runner.

10/1

Form: 883146

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
All five turf starts this season have been over 1m5f at Hamilton on good or firmer, winning one in June; ran poorly on latest start and he's not the most consistent, but his two wins in spring 2024 were in the mud and maybe some recent rain will help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Not really firing on all cylinders when last seen in the winter but returns from 12-week break on a good mark and is versatile regarding ground; gained his only hurdle win over C&D; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

12

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Two Auld Pals

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Five-time Flat winner who has a consistent profile over hurdles; handles soft ground but has a bit to find with He's Bresilian on last month's Ayr form.

10/1

3rd

3

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Two Auld Pals

11st 10lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Showed fair form at a juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, winning at Hexham in March 2024 (2m, heavy); didn't progress in handicaps after that; has since won twice over 1m5f on the Flat at Hamilton (good/soft) but below his best on last two Flat runs.

5/1

Form: 150445

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
This year's win was on Polytrack at Kempton (1m4f) in February and he's 2lb lower today, having gone off the boil in his two runs this summer; has never won beyond 1m4f and he last ran on ground softer than good in 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(7)

15th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:10 Kempton (AW)

Buxted Too

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ian Williams

Hard to recommend on recent efforts, but has dropped 7lb lower than when gaining his second C&D success back in February; worth a second look with a visor given a try, especially if attracting support.

9/1

10th

8

(6)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Haydock

Buxted Too

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ian Williams

Won at Kempton (1m4f, AW) in February but he's not fired in three starts since July and seems out of sorts at present; only of interest with market support.

25/1

5

(9)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:32 Haydock

Buxted Too

9st 8lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Ian Williams

This year's win was on Polytrack at Kempton (1m4f) in February and he's 2lb lower today, having gone off the boil in his two runs this summer; has never won beyond 1m4f and he last ran on ground softer than good in 2021.

20/1

Form: 056417 CD

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Carlisle (1m6f, soft) in June saw her break a long losing run; a lesser show 17 days later and pulled up over hurdles later in July; did well at this track in 2022 and is not entirely ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Arctic Fox

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

10yo who snapped a losing sequence at Carlisle last June and reappeared with a good second here (1m6f, good) last month; she should be fine back up in trip and can be bang there if backing up that latest performance.

11/2

2nd

2

(3)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

17:00 Catterick

Arctic Fox

9st 3lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Six-time winner at up to this trip on varying ground, including soft; back on the same mark she scored from at Carlisle (1m6f, soft) in June; chance rests on whether she's ready to roll for this reappearance.

8/1

10th

2

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Arctic Fox

10st 0lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Martin Todhunter

Multiple winner at up to 1m6f on varying ground, including soft; 1lb higher than her latest success at Carlisle in June; thereabouts over 1m6f (good) here latest but still has to prove she fully sees out this longer trip.

11/4

Form: -53223 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Has a solid record handicapping in a visor on last seven starts, without a win this season but he was beaten a nose on penultimate outing; no ground worries and this first attempt beyond 1m4f is worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(4)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

15:35 Hamilton

Gentle Warrior

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Won twice over about 1m6f last September; low-key seasonal return last month but he fared better, albeit beaten at a short price, at Nottingham 18 days ago; shouldn't be too far away.

2/1

2nd

1

(4)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Nottingham

Gentle Warrior

9st 12lb

J: Toby Moore

T: K R Burke

Tailed off on Musselburgh reappearance (1m6f, soft) last month but that was a rare blip and he's feasibly treated on his best form last season including two wins over this trip (good); dangerous if he can bounce back.

13/8

10th

11

(6)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Gentle Warrior

8st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: K R Burke

Highly reliable in handicaps, with 1m6f doing the trick when he won on good ground at Haydock and Chester in space of a week last September; needs to resume progress but enters calculations.

11/2

Form: 453

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
725,000gns yearling by Dubawi; comfortably held on all three starts but she found her stride in promising fashion on second occasion (1m3f, AW) and, although nudged along from an early stage, she stuck to her task when third of five in a maiden at Ffos Las (1m4f, good) on latest; up 2f with first-time headgear on this handicap debut and she has to be in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(3)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Mission Possible

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: William Haggas

Unraced until June; becoming exposed as fairly ordinary but clearly has races in her off this mark after finishing runner-up on last two outings (1m6f/2m).

15/8

5

(3)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Mission Possible

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: William Haggas

Unraced until June; becoming exposed as fairly ordinary but clearly has races in her off this mark after finishing runner-up on last two outings (1m6f/2m).

15/8

5

(3)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Mission Possible

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: William Haggas

Unraced until June; becoming exposed as fairly ordinary but clearly has races in her off this mark after finishing runner-up on last two outings (1m6f/2m).

15/8

Form: 185142 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won twice (1m2f/1m4f) on good to soft this season; not sure to get 1m6f, as he raced freely to set up a clear lead at Carlisle last time but he also rallied that day to finish a creditable second; needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:32 Nottingham

Run Of Luck

8st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Ed de Giles

On a winning mark and won't mind the forecast rain but he hasn't convinced with his stamina in two attempts at this trip.

12/1

13

(8)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 5

16:45 Chester

Run Of Luck

8st 13lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Ed de Giles

Front-runner who has won twice (1m2f/1m4f) on good to soft this season; only 1lb higher than for his last success but he can race freely and he didn't seem to get home when upped to 1m6f at Haydock last time.

8/1

9

(10)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:32 Haydock

Run Of Luck

9st 1lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Ed de Giles

Front-runner who won twice (1m2f/1m4f) on good to soft this season; not sure to get 1m6f, as he raced freely to set up a clear lead at Carlisle last time but he also rallied that day to finish a creditable second; needs a second look.

7/1

Form: 4655

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Standout effort was her 6l sixth of 11 in a maiden at Lingfield (1m2f, good to soft) on second start; 14-1 when remote on handicap debut over 2m (good to firm) on latest; connections turn to cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 5

16:45 Chester

Cheshire Belle

8st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Hugo Palmer

Lightly raced 3yo but she's struggled in most of her runs including two staying handicaps (1m6f/2m); dropped another 5lb but she needs a transformation with a visor now tried (wore cheekpieces last time).

14/1

10

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:32 Haydock

Cheshire Belle

8st 9lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Hugo Palmer

Standout effort was her 6l sixth of 11 in a maiden at Lingfield (1m2f, good to soft) on second start; 14-1 when remote on handicap debut over 2m (good to firm) on latest; connections turn to cheekpieces.

16/1

5th

5

(4)

24th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:33 Newbury

Cheshire Belle

8st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Hugo Palmer

Middle-distance pedigree; standout effort in three maiden/novice events was a 6l sixth of 11 at Lingfield (1m2f, good to soft) on second start; now goes handicapping stepped up markedly in trip.

6/1

Form: 4-8743

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Her last two starts have been more encouraging again, with a visor enlisted, and she finished a short head behind Run Of Luck at Carlisle (1m3f, good) on latest; needs to build on that over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(11)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:32 Haydock

Aphrodites Rock

8st 8lb

J: Olivia Haines

T: Tom Dascombe

Her last two starts have been more encouraging again, with a visor enlisted, and she finished a short head behind Run Of Luck at Carlisle (1m3f, good) on latest; needs to build on that over this new trip.

12/1

10

(11)

4th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

20:10 Carlisle

Aphrodites Rock

9st 2lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Beaten 24l and 30l on her first two starts this year but her most recent effort, when fourth of nine at Nottingham (8.5f; good) in a first-time visor (retained) in June, was more encouraging; claims if building on that now stepping back up in trip.

20/1

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Mission Possible

Telegraph:

Gentle Warrior

SPOTLIGHT:

Pergamon

POSTDATA:

The Crafty Mole

D Express:

Run Of Luck

TOPSPEED:

Zimmerman

The Times:

Mission Possible

Daily Mirror:

Mission Possible

The Sun:

Mission Possible

The Star:

Mission Possible

Daily Record:

Mission Possible

Daily Mail:

Gentle Warrior

RP RATINGS:

Pergamon

The Guardian:

The Crafty Mole