September 05 / 17.27 Haydock

17.27

Good

Betfair Exchange Handicap

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 1m 3f 140y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Betfair Exchange Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather:

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.20
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 722

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper (1m5f, good to soft) on debut last October; came up short in stronger bumpers on next two starts before his attentions were switched to Flat racing this summer; second in novice events at Lingfield (11.6f) and Kempton (1m4f) make him a plausible candidate for this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Gnomon

10st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

Fairly useful Flat racer; runner-up on first three hurdle starts (all 2m) before cruising clear in four-runner Ascot maiden (2m3f, good) last month; could easily have more improvement to come in handicap hurdles; interesting.

7/2

1st

2

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

13:55 Ascot

Gnomon

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two Flat handicaps for Ralph Beckett; he's getting there over hurdles judged on his near miss at Taunton (2m, good) and this longer trip could trigger the improvement he'll need to trouble West Hill Verde.

9/4

2nd

4

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Gnomon

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two handicaps on the Flat for Ralph Beckett, the latest at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) in October; runner-up on both starts over hurdles, last time finishing 10l second at Kempton (2m, good; third has won since); contender.

3/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 426522

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Sole win came as a 2yo last August but he's been runner-up from off the pace on varied ground in three of his last five starts, over this sort of trip on last two occasions; each-way contender again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(6)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Pappa Louis

9st 4lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Sole win came as a 2yo last August but he's been runner-up from off the pace on varied ground in three of his last five starts, over this sort of trip on last two occasions; each-way contender again.

6/1

4

(5)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:00 Yarmouth

Pappa Louis

9st 4lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

No match for the progressive Bosphorus Rose at Catterick latest (soft), but didn't fail for stamina on that second 1m4f outing; new career-low mark despite that above-par run, and return to sounder turf is fine.

6/1

4

(4)

23rd Jul 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

16:30 Catterick

Pappa Louis

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tom Dascombe

Held up this season; second at Chester (1m2f) in May is easily the best of his five runs this season and he was tailed off at Epsom latest on first attempt at 1m4f; visored last four starts and tongue tied latest, but cheekpieces (tried once as 2yo, below form) return; unraced on softer than good.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 594126

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
3yo whose best efforts were a win at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in July and a close second here (10.4f) next time; 16-1 for a Racing League race back at Southwell (1m4f) last time, a performance which might be forgiven but he needs to find a bit extra overall if he's to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell (AW)

Everyoneknowsadave

10st 2lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Jessica Macey

C&D winner last July who's never run on the AW off a mark quite this high (been in good form on turf lately, including a Nottingham win off 5lb lower); needs to find a bit more again.

10/1

4th

1

(4)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:24 Ripon

Everyoneknowsadave

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Jessica Macey

Placed twice in a row before winning by 2l at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm) last month; he holds solid claims up 6lb for last time.

2/1

OUR TIP

11/2

Form: 6-4566

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Well-backed favourite and didn't get much luck on seasonal return here (1m2f, good) in April; he's not really threatened to make amends in his three starts since, however; not proven on softer than good but his one crack at 1m3f (AW last August) was creditable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(2)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Newbury

Into Battle

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Stephens

Not seen on the Flat since signing off for Ed Walker with narrow success in first-time blinkers at Salisbury (1m2f, good) in October but won a recent handicap hurdle for new connections (no headgear) and is unexposed over this sort of trip in this sphere.

7/1

1st

1

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

20:18 Bangor-on-Dee

Into Battle

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Robert Stephens

Fairly useful on the Flat when based with Ed Walker; well beaten on stable/hurdle debut in January but his next two runs were much more encouraging, and there is still hope that more of his Flat ability can be transferred to this discipline.

5/1

Form: 7/80-3

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Three hurdle races for new stable early in the year but he showed more when third of eight at Chester (1m2f, good to firm) last month after a break; stays 1m3f and had form on testing ground early in career; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:00 Downpatrick

Rogue Sea

11st 0lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Flat winner in UK showed a hint of ability in four hurdle runs there; fell four out on stable/seasonal debut at Clonmel; only 10/1 that day so considered for a yard that does well here.

14/1

4

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 113y

18:10 Clonmel

Rogue Sea

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Flat winner; no sign of winning potential in four maiden hurdles at 2m-2m1f but may improve for switch to a handicap on stable bow; check market.

14/1

6th
11 (7)
Cynthia

12/1

Form: 7-6524

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Beaten a head on handicap debut at Leicester (1m4f, good) in July but last of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) 18 days later; needs overall improvement but she is a lightly raced 3yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(7)

11th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

16:28 Kempton (AW)

Cynthia

9st 11lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David Pipe

0-7 for James Horton but she finished second in turf handicaps over 1m4f and 1m6f last season; sold for 27,000gns in October; likely to stay 2m and she's not fully exposed; interesting.

7/4

9

(8)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Cynthia

8st 12lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: James Horton

Went close on handicap debut at Leicester (1m4f, good) in July but hasn't been at the same level on either outing since (1m4f, AW/good).

20/1

Form: 116149

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won three at Ripon from his six starts for this yard; those wins were 1m, however, and his form was not as good when tried over 1m2f, including when tailed off on latest start; big questions to answer over new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(5)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:10 Ripon

Precious Spartan

9st 1lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Neville

Won three times here (1m) in his first four starts for this trainer in 2025; has found life tough from an elevated mark since; "stopped quickly" in added cheekpieces at Ayr (1m2f; 22-1, beaten 36l) latest; risky proposition.

25/1

11th

4

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Precious Spartan

9st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Patrick Neville

Did well for new stable last season, winning three times over 1m at Ripon; also suited by 1m2f, but launched this campaign with two low-key runs (7f/1m) and needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.

12/1

8th

8

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:09 Ripon

Precious Spartan

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Patrick Neville

Never dangerous over 7f in sole outing this term; has a record of 3-3 over C&D (all on good ground last term; 0-17 elsewhere) and looks very interesting returned to this scenario; favourably treated off 1lb below last winning mark.

5/1

7/2

Form: 054161 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Flopped at Thirsk on penultimate start but won over this sort of trip at Windsor and Newmarket in his other two handicaps, all three of them on good to firm; cheekpieces are installed after his narrow verdict in a three-runner race last time; lightly raced 3yo from whom more improvement is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(10)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

13:30 Southwell (AW)

Bondi

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Won two handicaps over about 1m4f last summer, in a mixed record; one of the lesser efforts was his AW debut (Kempton Polytrack) when last seen; left Richard Hannon for 20,000gns last October and this is his first run since (gelded in interim).

20/1

6th

5

(1)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Bondi

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

2-4 since switched to middle-distance handicaps, the latter win gained in three-runner race at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) in August; raced too freely and was well beaten in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month; not easy to predict on this AW debut.

7/1

8th

7

(9)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Bondi

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Richard Hannon

Flopped at Thirsk on penultimate start but won over this sort of trip at Windsor and Newmarket in his other two handicaps, all three of them on good to firm; cheekpieces are installed after his narrow verdict in a three-runner race last time; lightly raced 3yo from whom more improvement is possible.

7/2

25/1

Form: 26-065

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won a 1m4f handicap on AW for Ed Bethell last October; not so good on his last four outings, with new stable for last two, and his record in turf handicaps suggests he is opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

4

(6)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sectarius

9st 12lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won 1m4f AW handicap for Ed Bethell in October 2024; no worthwhile form in three turf starts for Tim Easterby; folded tamely behind Church Mountain on stable debut last month.

20/1

11th

3

(10)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sectarius

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a 1m4f handicap on AW for Ed Bethell in October 2024; not so good in most recent runs, including three turf starts for Tim Easterby; makes stable debut now and perhaps return to AW can help.

20/1

9th

6

(4)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Sectarius

10st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won a 1m4f handicap on AW for Ed Bethell last October; not so good on his last four outings, with new stable for last two, and his record in turf handicaps suggests he is opposable.

25/1

10/1

Form: 136536 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
1m2f win here in April in a consistent season, bar one blip; raced freely in the lead when she last tried this sort of trip (penultimate start) but she did well over 11.4f on soft when held up last October; each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

2nd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Afloat

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: George Scott

Multiple turf winner at up to 11.5f; less effective on AW surfaces but her best such effort was when last tried at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) in May; if able to repeat that form she would have claims from this 5lb lower mark but she's not easy to predict.

12/1

10th

2

(10)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Afloat

10st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

1m2f win here in April in a consistent season, bar one blip; raced freely in the lead when she last tried this sort of trip (penultimate start) but she did well over 11.4f on soft when held up last October; each-way player.

10/1

6th

4

(3)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:30 Windsor

Afloat

9st 10lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: George Scott

Bar one blip she's been running well for George Scott and won over this trip at Haydock in April off the very same mark; last two runs weren't bad at all, having not got the run of things at Ripon and she raced freely when third at Catterick (1m4f).

16/1

Form: 210626

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Unproven on softer than good; plenty of good runs this season, including three wins in the spring, and perhaps Chester was to blame for a lesser show last time; thereabouts if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:45 Newcastle (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 9lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Sam England

Three-time winner (including over C&D) last spring; failed to beat a rival on his last three outings and has lots to prove after a layoff.

8/1

8th

2

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

17:52 Southwell (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Sam England

7-47 on AW but has struggled for form since finishing third at Newcastle (1m, Class 5; from 12lb higher) last November; failed to beat a rival in each of his last two starts (9.4f/1m4f) so it's difficult to have confidence.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.20
Straight Forecast £20.90
Tricast £130.85
Trifecta £152.20

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Bondi

RP RATINGS:

Afloat

Daily Record:

Gnomon

LAMBOURN:

Pappa Louis

The Star:

Sectarius

SPOTLIGHT:

Rogue Sea

The Times:

Bondi

Telegraph:

Bondi

The Guardian:

Bondi

Daily Mail:

Bondi

D Express:

Bondi

Daily Mirror:

Bondi

The Sun:

Bondi

POSTDATA:

Afloat

NEWMARKET:

Afloat