September 06 / 14.25 Haydock

14.25

Good

Betfair Plays In A Different League Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 6f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Betfair Plays In A Different League Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: -16711

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Improved for the step up to 1m4f to win at Newbury in June (1m4f, good; unraced on softer) and subsequently demolished what looked a competitive Racing League handicap at Newcastle (12.4f, AW); hit with 11lb rise for last time but could take it in his stride over a trip that promises to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Circus Of Rome

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Third win last term was clearcut over 1m4f here in August and he ran creditably over 1m6f on turf next time; it's not that hard to forgive this season, given the 1m2f/1m, although he has raced a bit freely; looked the type to make progress this year and this is an eye-catching rethink on trip.

7/2

11th

2

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:17 Sandown

Circus Of Rome

10st 0lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Campaigned over further since the start of last term and gained his handicap double at about 1m4f (stays 1m6f); never dangerous over 1m2f on reappearance; drop back to 1m looks a big negative.

20/1

5th

2

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:00 Goodwood

Circus Of Rome

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Enjoyed a very good 2025 (three-time 9.5f to 1m4f winner) and he signed off with a good sixth in 1m6f Ascot listed race in October when set a lot to do; hood goes on and can't be ruled out on his seasonal return.

6/1

Form: 216116 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good) in July on second handicap start and followed up at Yarmouth (1m6f, soft) in July; only sixth in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) two weeks ago but he's probably better than that; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(4)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Pole Star

8st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Respectable third to Goblet Of Fire on the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) in May in a first-time visor; perhaps any beneficial effect from the headgear has worn off, as he ran poorly on latest start, but he is now 1lb below his last winning mark (from last July) and the visor is removed.

14/1

11th

8

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

14:53 Ayr

Pole Star

9st 4lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Charlie Johnston

Good third in first-time visor (retained since) at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) last month and again ran well at Thirsk (2m, good) last time, when outstayed; last win came on soft ground last July; he's one to consider.

9/1

5th

3

(11)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Pole Star

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Won two 1m6f handicaps last term; back-to-form third with a first-time visor at Newmarket (1m6f) four weeks ago, so he re-enters calculations despite earlier lesser efforts over 2m2f and 2m.

9/2

Form: 9112

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) in July on second start and followed up in Lingfield novice (11.6f, good); no match for Circus Of Rome on handicap debut at Newcastle (12.4f, AW) recently but did well to beat the remainder and is 9lb better off with the winner this afternoon; could be suited by the step up to 1m6f and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(4)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Gran Descans

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Harry Charlton

Dual novice winner who was second (no match for the winner) in a C&D Racing League handicap before not appearing to stay 1m6f at Haydock (Class 2); remains of interest.

4/1

4

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Gran Descans

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Harry Charlton

Won at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) in July on second start and followed up in Lingfield novice (11.6f, good); no match for Circus Of Rome on handicap debut at Newcastle (12.4f, AW) recently but did well to beat the remainder and is 9lb better off with the winner this afternoon; could be suited by the step up to 1m6f and he's one to consider.

11/2

7

(9)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Gran Descans

9st 3lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Harry Charlton

Made debut in June and won at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) on second start before following up in Lingfield novice (11.6f, good); this well-bred Frankel colt has potential off his opening mark; player on AW debut.

3/1

Form: 585222

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Has run well to finish second in handicaps on his last three starts (1m5f/1m4f, good-good to soft), most recently at Chepstow behind one who was completing a hat-trick; now 0-7 and others are more strikingly progressive, but this admirable sort can give another good account; each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Winston Junior

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Useful maiden on the Flat at up 1m5f and he has a record of 2212 since switched to hurdling for his current yard; seems to be learning to settle better and he didn't get a smooth run when an eye-catching second in the juvenile handicap at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month; that was another good step forward and he could continue to progress in this sphere; interesting contender.

9/2

2nd

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Winston Junior

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Faye Bramley

Has more scope than your typical ex-Flat 4yo and he was a useful maiden in that scene at up to 1m5f; came up short in his first two hurdle races but was unlucky not to be closer to leading Triumph contender Minella Study here in December (good to soft) and then, despite racing freely, won as he liked when a strong favourite at Ascot (soft); made all that day and those tactics can spell danger in a race of this nature, but he should have more to give; Jack Kennedy is a notable booking with the Elliott stable represented.

11/2

1st

10

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 157y

Class 3

12:25 Ascot

Winston Junior

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Useful maiden on the Flat in Ireland; has shaped nicely on both starts over hurdles, short of room before the last flight when second to a promising sort at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft; raced freely) five weeks ago; could do with settling better but has the best form as things stand.

11/8

Form: -32414 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Bolted up in Goodwood maiden (1m6f, good to firm) in June on seventh start and 2l fourth to Pole Star when back in a handicap over this C&D (good) in July; has shown promise on good to soft; improvement needed after a two-month break but he's just the type of stayer his trainer does well with.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

18

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Sandown

Way Of Stars

10st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Prevailed in second-time hood at Taunton (2m, good) most recently, adding to his Flat win, and may have more to offer in the retained headgear; in deeper waters today but could go well.

16/1

1st

11

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Way Of Stars

10st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won a Goodwood maiden for Andrew Balding in June (1m6f, good to firm); improved on first hurdles run when neck second over C&D last time (heavy; hood tried); headgear retained; this faster is ground likely to suit; one with a chance.

2/1

2nd

10

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:05 Taunton

Way Of Stars

10st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Useful peak RPR of 94 on the Flat for Andrew Balding; ran to a fair level when last of three finishers on Exeter hurdle debut (heavy) eight weeks ago and should prove capable of better, particularly if a first-time hood helps him to settle better through the early stages than he did on that occasion.

100/30

Form: -33115

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won Ffos Las maiden (1m2f, good to soft) in June on fourth start and kept on well to follow up on handicap debut at Yarmouth (11.4f, soft); beaten 5l when fifth of 12 in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago but that was probably a better race than this and today's return to easier ground may well be a positive; in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Fantasy World

11st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

1m6f Listed winner on Flat who was sold for 600,000gns later in October; flopped at long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh last month; brought out just six days later for Grade 2 at Kempton (again good to soft) where he did better, but was weakening when hampered two out; should get the hang of this discipline in due course, but probably too late to feature in this finish.

66/1

3rd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Kempton

Fantasy World

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

1m6f Listed winner on Flat who changed hands for 600,000gns last autumn; went off long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) last Sunday but compromised his chance by racing freely/jumping none too fluently and could finish only fourth; it's far too soon to be writing him off but he needs a major leap forward just six days on.

12/1

4th

8

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

13:50 Musselburgh

Fantasy World

10st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Progressive on the Flat for Andrew Balding and bagged Listed honours at Ascot (1m6f, good to soft) on last appearance; sold for 600,000gns later in October; withdrawn at Newbury last weekend due to heavy ground; market mover for the Triumph and looks a very interesting hurdles prospect.

4/11

Form: 22-144

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won Nottingham maiden (1m2f, good) in June on fourth start and has run well in fourth in both handicaps subsequently, most recently at Glorious Goodwood (1m3f, good to soft) where he kept on well after being hampered early in the straight; interesting contender now tackling 1m6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(3)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Ride The Thunder

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Roger Varian

Maiden winner who's been on the premises in all his five handicaps, albeit managing only sixth of 20 from midfield when clear favourite for the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (upped to 2m) last time on AW debut; no handicap win but he's been pretty reliable and this race is a lot less competitive.

3/1

6th

15

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Ride The Thunder

8st 13lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Won 1m2f maiden last June; on the premises in all his four handicaps, coming from off the pace when second at Haydock (1m6f) on final 3yo start and when third at Hamilton (1m5f; gelded and hooded) on reappearance six weeks ago; relatively lightly raced, so could have further improvement in him and 2m is plausible for this AW debut.

15/2

3rd

5

(10)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Ride The Thunder

9st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Won 1m2f Nottingham maiden last June; on the premises in all his three handicaps, closest last time when he came from the back at Haydock (1m6f, good) but to not quite such good effect in the end as Valiancy who made the same move on the other side of the track; gelded since and hooded first time for this reappearance; up 4lb but looks a serious contender.

4/1

Form: 72132 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Made debut in May and all five runs have been on good ground; close third on handicap debut over C&D in July (Pole Star won) and clear second at Sandown (1m6f) last time when failing to reel in the clear leader; there's a suspicion we've yet to see the best of him and his trainer has won two of the last five runnings; could have a major part to play in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(14)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Valiancy

9st 10lb

J: James Doyle

T: William Haggas

Made his debut just over a year ago; firmly on the upgrade when signing off last season with a handicap win at Haydock (1m6f, good; first-time cheekpieces) and following up on his reappearance at Hamilton (1m5f, good; no headgear) where the narrow margin of victory masked his superiority (he overcame trouble); he's up a further 8lb but the improvement could keep coming; James Doyle prefers him over Wathnan's other pair; big player.

2/1

1st

2

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Valiancy

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: William Haggas

Made debut last May and all six runs were on good ground; maiden winner here who was increasingly competitive coming from behind in his three handicaps, winning in first-time cheekpieces from Ride The Thunder at Haydock (1m6f) in September when last seen; up 7lb, back slightly in trip and no headgear, but he's still one to note.

7/4

9

(9)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Valiancy

8st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: William Haggas

Made debut in May and all five runs have been on good ground; close third on handicap debut over C&D in July (Pole Star won) and clear second at Sandown (1m6f) last time when failing to reel in the clear leader; there's a suspicion we've yet to see the best of him and his trainer has won two of the last five runnings; could have a major part to play in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

33/1

Form: 394329

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Filly who has been campaigned over a variety of distances this season; didn't run badly when ninth of 12 at 80-1 in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago but others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(5)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Love Talk

8st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Grant Tuer

Filly who has been campaigned over a variety of distances this season; didn't run badly when ninth of 12 at 80-1 in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago but others make greater appeal.

33/1

9

(5)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Love Talk

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Grant Tuer

Filly who has run over various trips this year, posting respectable efforts in 7f Listed race and 1m4f Group 3 before 7l second of three in Pontefract handicap (1m2f, good to firm) last Sunday; it's possible she'll be suited by this new distance but others have a lot more substance to their claims.

50/1

2nd

2

(1)

17th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 4

14:12 Pontefract

Love Talk

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Grant Tuer

Won valuable 2yo fillies' series final at Goodwood (7f, heavy) last September and returned to form with Listed fourth at Carlisle (soft) in June when dropped back to 7f; didn't run badly when well-beaten third of four in 1m4f Group 2 at Haydock (good) last time; has more to prove than her two rivals but she's not ruled out now back in a handicap.

3/1

Form: 221054 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who won Redcar maiden (1m2f, good to firm) in May and returned to form when dropped back in trip for close fourth of seven at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm); tackles 1m6f for the first time and his close relation Secret Advisor was a 1m6f Group 3 winner, but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(16)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Mafting

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: David O’Meara

Put up 4lb for his Redcar win in April (1m2f, good to firm) but good second off this mark at Doncaster next time (1m4f, good to firm); hasn't done quite as well since; poor deaw.

8/1

4th

3

(1)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 4

13:45 Beverley

Mafting

9st 3lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Failed to crack it in 2025 handicaps but reappeared to win off a reduced mark in nine-runner race at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) this April; backed that up when second at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) and this is easier than the York Dante meeting handicap he contested last time.

5/1

9th

8

(12)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Mafting

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Failed to crack it in 2025 handicaps but reappeared to win off a reduced mark in nine-runner race at Redcar (1m2f) this April; second of six when 10-11 at Doncaster (1m4f, again good to firm) 12 days later, which was just as good on form; each-way contender but a bit extra is needed if he's to take this.

6/1

Non-runners

Tiernan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.90
Straight Forecast £34.01
Tricast £331.83
Trifecta £225.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Circus Of Rome

SPOTLIGHT:

Valiancy

The Guardian:

Gran Descans

TOPSPEED:

Mafting

The Times:

Tiernan

Daily Mail:

Fantasy World

D Express:

Ride The Thunder

Daily Mirror:

Gran Descans

NEWMARKET:

Valiancy

The Sun:

Valiancy

POSTDATA:

Mafting

LAMBOURN:

Circus Of Rome

Telegraph:

Circus Of Rome

The Star:

Circus Of Rome

Daily Record:

Circus Of Rome