September 06 / 16.07 Haydock

16.07

Good

Betfair Be Friendly Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Betfair Be Friendly Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 12619- CD

Last run: 315 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Made good progress for Gemma Tutty last season, winning the 3yo Dash on Derby day before finishing second at Royal Ascot; smart form when winning a soft-ground C&D handicap last September; absent for 315 days but entirely possible he has more to offer and interesting to see how strong he is in the market after his absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Blue Storm

9st 7lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Gemma Tutty

Had some useful form last year, including on soft, but he has yet to find his best in three runs in a truncated 2025 campaign; 9lb lower than when midfield in this race last year; others look safer.

12/1

4

(2)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Blue Storm

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Gemma Tutty

Progressive last season when his two successes included the 3yo Dash on Derby day; missed the first half of this season and might have needed his first two runs back, never-dangerous fourth of ten at Haydock on latest; raced only at 5f but may now be ready for this step up in distance; still relatively low mileage and not ruled out.

20/1

1

(7)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Blue Storm

9st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Gemma Tutty

Progressive for Gemma Tutty last season, winning the 3yo Dash on Derby day and posting a personal best when beating nine rivals in this contest (just 1lb higher today) 12 months ago; weak in the market and might have needed the run after over ten months off when only sixth of eight here on reappearance; big player if building on that.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6-0576 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Did well for Robert Cowell last year, winning a handicap at Chester's May meeting and a Beverley Listed event (both 5f; good and good to firm but handles any ground); has not quite hit those heights this year but he's slipped in the weights and should give it a good go from the front; withdrawn at Glorious Goodwood having given trouble in the stalls.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Redcar

Democracy Dilemma

10st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Robert Cowell

Free-going front-runner; no longer the force of old but ran big race when fourth of 23 at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good) last week; 1lb lower here and could be hard to catch if in similar form again.

13/8

4th

5

(7)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Democracy Dilemma

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner; 3lb lower than for his runaway win at Haydock last September (5f, good) but hasn't got a lot going in his last four races and was tailed off in Epsom's Dash, in which he was second in 2024; others preferred.

25/1

Form: 13541- D

Last run: 269 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Smart 2yo for Kevin Ryan in 2021, winning two Group races in France; three 5f wins in Hong Kong since, the latest when last seen in December; 2-2 on slower than good so the ground shouldn't be an issue; hard to assess back in Britain but he's up against in-form rivals and probably vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Atomic Force

10st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice on AW in early part of this year and kept on well from the rear for creditable third in quite valuable C&D (good) contest last month; also suited by good to soft ground and has the early speed to race much closer to the pace from his favourable draw if that's the plan.

11/2

3rd

4

(6)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Atomic Force

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Edward Bethell

Successful in last two AW attempts but wasn't in anything like the same form returned to turf last time (effective in this sphere in the past); remains on career-high mark and can be opposed kept to grass.

16/1

11th

4

(12)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

15:57 Pontefract

Atomic Force

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Edward Bethell

Had a long spell in Hong Kong; gradually back in business since returning to Britain and gained 5f AW wins the last twice; still attractively treated, considering he was a dual Group scorer on turf as a 2yo.

8/1

Form: -00145 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Not far off his very best when beating 13 rivals in a 5f handicap at Doncaster in June; not so good twice since and needs a full revival but he is bidding to provide Mick Appleby with a third consecutive winner of this race; blinkers return today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

(11)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Beverley

Baldomero

9st 0lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Yet to score this term but his sixth of 21 at the Ebor festival (6f, good to firm) indicated he might be rediscovering his level; that didn't prove the case at Windsor last time but he's too well handicapped to ignore and rain would certainly not hinder him.

10/1

9th

16

(11)

10th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:15 Windsor

Baldomero

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Saw out 2025 with three AW wins from his final four starts but he's played only minor roles in turf handicaps this year, including when beaten nearly 5l behind King Of Light over C&D in May; could do with some rain or, failing that, a return to the AW as he's well treated now.

25/1

6th

15

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Baldomero

8st 10lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Michael Appleby

Ended 2025 in fine form on AW; 0-7 in 2026 but he has slipped 6lb below his last winning mark and has Toby Moore taking another 7lb off his back; suspicion a few will prove stronger.

33/1

Form: 2-3583 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Strong C&D form last year, including a defeat of American Affair and a close second in this race when rated 3lb higher; the form of his Musselburgh third in April could hardly have worked out better (winner and second both Group-race winners since) and he was again third at Yarmouth when last seen six weeks ago; obvious claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:50 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

10st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Not that easy to win with (2-27 on turf) but is a C&D winner (good to soft) and has run creditably when third over C&D on last two starts (closely matched with Montezuma on last week's run); a possible

3/1

3rd

1

(4)

31st Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

19:25 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

9st 10lb

J: David Nolan

T: David & Nicola Barron

C&D winner; it has been a while since his latest success but he has slipped down the weights and both this year's C&D runs (in deeper races) were encouraging; can go well fresh and a big run is on the cards.

7/2

Form: 50-034

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Appeared to run well when a close third at Hamilton last month but that effort is sandwiched by two lesser efforts; down in the weights but stable may have stronger claims with Democracy Dilemma.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Alaskan Gold

9st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Robert Cowell

Not beaten far at Hamilton in August (5f, good) but only four ran there and he hasn't built on it since; will be 3lb lower from the weekend and easy enough to have reservations.

25/1

2

(11)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Leicester

Alaskan Gold

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Smart on his day, as when close up in a Group 3 at Newbury (7f, good to soft) in April 2024; showed he was sharp enough for 5f when going down in a tight finish at Hamilton (good; four ran) in August and although below that level since he'll be suited by a return to good to soft ground in this lower grade than of late; has run well in a visor and it's now refitted.

8/1

6

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:07 Haydock

Alaskan Gold

8st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Robert Cowell

Appeared to run well when a close third at Hamilton last month but that effort is sandwiched by two lesser efforts; down in the weights but stable may have stronger claims with Democracy Dilemma.

33/1

Form: 115113 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
One of the success stories of the season, winning six times (including C&D); only third at York 17 days ago but she did best of the prominent racers and it was another step forward from her; 3lb rise shouldn't prevent her making another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Luna A Inbhir Nis

9st 2lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Katie Scott

Scottish raider who has shown great progress, having gone from winning off a mark of 57 early last season to running well in Listed grade a couple of times, including on penultimate start; this is harder.

25/1

6th

6

(14)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

16:08 Ayr

Luna A Inbhir Nis

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

Had a wonderful year in 2025, winning six times and rounding off her campaign with a good fifth behind Beautiful Diamond in a Listed event over 5.5f here (soft); down the field on her return but she quickly rebounded with a fine third at Carlisle (Listed; 5f, good to firm) three weeks ago; still improving but the forecast rain may suit others better.

8/1

12/1

Form: 526078 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Made a bright start to the campaign but his last three runs have been disappointing; should be well treated but others come here with less to prove; the hood is left off today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22

(14)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Loom

8st 9lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Richard Fahey

Just one win to his name but runner-up in a big field at the Dante meeting here and again found only one too good at Southwell in September; however, both those runs were over 5f, he hasn't looked as effective at this trip and he never looked like getting involved over 5f here on Friday.

25/1

8

(1)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

Loom

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Ran a cracker to finish second of 22 in a hot 3yo C&D handicap at the Dante meeting; unable to build on that since but he returned to form when second at Southwell 17 days ago; that was a drop in class and a 2lb rise back up in grade could find him out.

10/1

3

(3)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Loom

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Started the campaign in good form, notably when second of 22 at the Dante meeting at York (5f, good to firm); his progress has stalled more recently though and hopes rest on the drop into Class 4 company perking him up.

7/1

Form: 892071 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
The winner of three races this season, the latest a 5f handicap at Pontefract three weeks ago; a 3lb rise against stronger opposition could find him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(8)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Ripon

Reigning Profit

9st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Maintained unbeaten Ripon record (3-3; all 5f) when seeing off Rock Of England and Mark's Choice in early July; ran respectably in Class 2 at Goodwood (5f) before toiling at Pontefract; fairly treated but effectiveness over 6f is questionable.

16/1

8th

8

(7)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

17:45 Pontefract

Reigning Profit

8st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Soundly beaten over C&D (good to firm) two runs ago but prior to that he won at Ripon (5f, good), and he posted a respectable effort at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good) last time; he's won here four times; not ruled out.

16/1

11th

24

(11)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Reigning Profit

8st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ruth Carr

Exposed ten-time winner who was down the field in this 12 months ago when 1lb higher; won at Ripon this month (no headgear) before finishing fifth of seven 11 days ago at Pontefract (visored); a long time since he wore blinkers.

50/1

Form: 013-30 C

Last run: 45 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Course winner (6f) who was a good third of 16 here in May (6f, good); down the field at Doncaster when last seen in July; drops to 5f in a useful event and minor money perhaps his best hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(2)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

17:00 Windsor

Sergeant Pep

9st 11lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Clive Cox

Five-time winner after 32 starts so he's exposed, but he was in a good vein of form when last seen in the spring, and he won't mind what the weather does.

5/1

2nd

3

(7)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

15:12 Lingfield (AW)

Sergeant Pep

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Clive Cox

Twice a runner-up over 6f this winter, including here, but he raced too freely in one 7f run and he still has to prove he needs this far.

7/2

3rd

7

(10)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Sergeant Pep

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Clive Cox

He has finished second on his last two attempts at this trip, chasing home Hundred Caps at Southwell 17 days ago; 4lb better off with his old rival today; each-way claims.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.30
Straight Forecast £28.46
Tricast £53.49
Trifecta £95.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jer Batt

RP RATINGS:

Luna A Inbhir Nis

Telegraph:

Sergeant Pep

D Express:

Blue Storm

Daily Mail:

Democracy Dilemma

Daily Mirror:

Baldomero

POSTDATA:

Luna A Inbhir Nis

The Times:

Luna A Inbhir Nis

The Star:

Luna A Inbhir Nis

TOPSPEED:

Jer Batt

THE NORTH:

Jer Batt

The Guardian:

Jer Batt

Daily Record:

Jer Batt

The Sun:

Sergeant Pep