September 06 / 16.40 Haydock

16.40

Good

Betfair Podcasts Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £11514.8
  • 1m 0f 37y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Betfair Podcasts Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 990331 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Back to winning ways over 1m at Ayr (good) four weeks ago; raised 3lb but he defied this mark on soft at York last autumn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(3)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:17 Haydock

Empirestateofmind

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins at Ayr (1m, soft/heavy) last month with a near-miss at Hamilton (1m1f, heavy) in between, and he was a close second when unpenalised at Ayr (7f, heavy) last Thursday; 4lb higher this afternoon but this 8yo remains well treated on his old form and has to be respected.

13/2

1st

2

(2)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Ayr

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Returned to form and capitalised on a reduced mark over C&D (soft) this month before near-miss at Hamilton (1m1f, heavy) two days later; 3lb higher than last time but this in-form 8yo is a leading contender.

11/4

2nd

4

(5)

20th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:30 Hamilton

Empirestateofmind

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Proved resurgent dropped back to Class 5 at Ayr (1m, soft) on Friday, beating Motawaared by 1l, pair clear; likely player under 4lb penalty kept to this level, provided he remains in form.

100/30

Form: 505649 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won this race in 2023; awarded this year's Spring Mile at Doncaster (good to soft) after a stewards' inquiry; mixed results since but he's dropped to 2lb below his Doncaster mark; contender if recent switch from Darryll Holland to Gay Kelleway sparks a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

(8)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:01 Ayr

Pearl Eye

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

Already a dual winner for current yard, latterly over 1m2f here (good to firm; has also won on heavy) in July; respectable efforts since but hasn't been helping his cause with slow starts (also soon off bridle and detached latest); the much longer trip will allow him more time to catch up if doing something similar this afternoon but his ability to see it out has to be taken on trust.

10/1

6th

7

(11)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Pearl Eye

9st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Already a dual winner for current yard, latterly over 1m2f at Ayr (good to firm; has also won on heavy) in July; respectable efforts back at Ayr twice since; this former course scorer enters calculations.

13/2

6th

8

(14)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Pearl Eye

9st 12lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Already a dual winner for current yard, going in over C&D in July; posted another solid effort with fourth of five over C&D last time; can't be discounted.

7/1

Form: 521 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Progressive form at around 1m; had subsequent winners behind when second at Nottingham (good to soft) in July and duly landed short odds on AW at Lingfield last month; hard to argue this opening mark is generous but he's almost certainly capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(16)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Mezcala

9st 4lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Finished behind several of today's rivals in last two starts but may be able to tap back into his earlier progress, which culminated in a Royal Ascot handicap success (good to firm) in the first of only two attempts over 7f; shortlisted back down in distance.

8/1

6th

7

(14)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Mezcala

9st 7lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Lightly raced 4yo who reappeared with a win in the Spring Mile over C&D (good to soft) and won the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) in June; below best in the International at Ascot (7f, good to firm) in July last time but still of interest judged on previous exploits.

11/2

Form: 510134 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Three wins on turf (good/soft) since May and he may well have had a fourth here last month but for meeting trouble; last week's fourth of 13 in a Racing League event at Southwell (1m) shows he's still in form; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(10)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:30 Doncaster

Mysteryofthesands

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tim Easterby

Second in a division of this last year (soft) and three wins this term; ran okay when fifth of 13 at Beverley last time and not ruled out.

10/1

8

(12)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:08 Beverley

Mysteryofthesands

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

A dual C&D scorer in the summer; didn't fire in 1m Haydock handicap 17 days ago but no surprise if he bounces back here.

10/1

6

(2)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

Mysteryofthesands

9st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Three wins on turf (good/soft) since May and he may well have had a fourth here last month but for meeting trouble; last week's fourth of 13 in a Racing League event at Southwell (1m) shows he's still in form; considered.

15/2

Form: 432122 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Improved RPR on each of his seven starts, winning a handicap over the extended 7f at Beverley in July and going down only to fellow progressive 3yos around 1m on turf/AW since; a further 2lb nudge from the handicapper may not stop him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(4)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

19:30 Beverley

A War Eagle

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Narrow success in April took his C&D record to 2-3; has remained in form elsewhere since and his latest effort, in Class 2 at Epsom, can be marked up (hampered then rallied for third place); respected back here.

3/1

3rd

10

(11)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

17:50 Epsom

A War Eagle

9st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Made all at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) in April on second stable start; respectable efforts when fifth on his next two outings but he needs something extra today and is unproven on slow ground.

40/1

5th

9

(5)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

A War Eagle

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Suited by good/firmer; has quickly found his form this season for new yard and ran creditably in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m) last Saturday when attempting to follow up his Beverley success (7.5f); may do better still.

9/1

Form: 420730

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
0-12 since debut win on AW but there have been some good runs since, notably his second in the Silver Bowl over C&D (good) in May; a very poor run at Newcastle 16 days ago needs forgiving, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

8

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:40 Haydock

Tilted Kilt

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: William Knight

Both his wins have come on the AW but he wasn't disgraced when eighth of 17 on turf at York (7f, good; 22-1) four weeks ago; stepping back up to 1m should be a help; each-way possibilities.

12/1

8th

12

(5)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Tilted Kilt

9st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: William Knight

Both his wins have come on AW but he handles turf, albeit best grass runs have come on good going; two disappointing efforts since his Southwell win in April and others are more convincing.

33/1

12th

10

(12)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:17 Sandown

Tilted Kilt

9st 3lb

J: Neil Callan

T: William Knight

Has gained both wins on AW, including on reappearance; has bits of fairly useful form on turf but produced one of his lesser efforts last time, taking record in this sphere to 0-9; others preferred.

25/1

Form: 309365 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Still 5lb higher than when making a successful reappearance at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in May; latest fifth of 11 over C&D (good to firm) 27 days ago was respectable but underlines he needs a bit more from this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(8)

14th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Be Frank

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Best effort in a light 2026 campaign when fourth in big field at York last month; has an unimpressive strike-rate for current yard but is now 2lb lower than his last winning mark so cannot be discounted.

7/1

10th

3

(11)

26th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Be Frank

9st 10lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Ian Williams

Best effort in a light 2026 campaign when fourth in big field at York on penultimate start; has an unimpressive strike-rate for current yard but is interesting dropped in class off last winning mark.

10/1

5th

8

(5)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:30 Chester

Be Frank

9st 1lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Ian Williams

Fresh after two runs this season and on a competitive mark; came from well back to be fourth last week at York (1m, good to soft) and should feature.

6/1

Form: -32241 D

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Made it eighth time lucky in maiden/novice events when making all over the extended 1m at Beverley (good to firm; acts on good to soft) in June, his final start for Charlie Johnston; an improved effort will be needed to defy this opening handicap mark on his stable debut (same owner).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(2)

15th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Special Ghaiyyath

9st 13lb

J: Liam Wright

T: P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck

Yet to be competitive for new connections this year and can't be entertained until he shows something more positive.

25/1

7th

5

(1)

3rd Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:53 Salisbury

Special Ghaiyyath

9st 8lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck

Not yet recaptured form for new connections this year but he's on a useful mark now, 12lb lower than a Haydock win (1m, good) last September; needs to show more than of late, even so.

16/1

7th

6

(1)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Newmarket (July)

Special Ghaiyyath

9st 2lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck

Won off 9lb higher at Haydock (1m, good) last September but he's struggled for new yard this season and was a well-held fourth of five at Leicester last time; has plenty to prove and needs a big turnaround.

16/1

Form: 106-59 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Overcame greenness to win on C&D debut (soft) last September; has failed to back up that form in four subsequent outings (mainly AW) and needs a first-time visor and return to Haydock to spark a revival back from eight weeks off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Ayr

One Eye Jack

9st 4lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Hugo Palmer

Successful on 2yo debut; has failed to repeat that form since, well held over C&D most recently; chance depends on how well he responds to new headgear.

14/1

6

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ayr

One Eye Jack

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hugo Palmer

Won on 2yo debut at Haydock (1m, soft) last September; the return to slow ground may be a positive but he's gone backwards from that initial promise and was soundly beaten at Haydock (1m, good) only 12 days ago.

9/1

11

(11)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

One Eye Jack

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Hugo Palmer

Overcame greenness to win on C&D debut (soft) last September; has failed to back up that form in four subsequent outings (mainly AW) and needs a first-time visor and return to Haydock to spark a revival back from eight weeks off.

20/1

Non-runners

Surrey Shadow, We Dare To Dream

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.40
Straight Forecast £10.86
Tricast £48.16
Trifecta £60.40

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Mezcala

SPOTLIGHT:

A War Eagle

POSTDATA:

Be Frank

NEWMARKET:

Special Ghaiyyath

TOPSPEED:

We Dare To Dream

D Express:

Tilted Kilt

Daily Mail:

Mezcala

The Sun:

Mezcala

The Star:

Mezcala

Daily Record:

Mezcala

RP RATINGS:

A War Eagle

The Times:

A War Eagle

Telegraph:

A War Eagle

The Guardian:

Be Frank

Daily Mirror:

Be Frank