September 26 / 16.35 Haydock

16.35

Good To Soft

By Eck Its Boddingtons Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 6f 212y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
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By Eck Its Boddingtons Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 187402 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Blows hot and cold but he won at Musselburgh (7f, good to soft) in April and was a good second over C&D three weeks ago (good); that took his C&D record to 132212 and no obvious reason why he wouldn't be in the thick of it once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(11)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:35 Carlisle

Persuasion

10st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David & Nicola Barron

Made it 2-3 at Musselburgh when winning there over 7f in April off a 1lb lower mark than today's; beaten only 4l when seventh of 19 at York (7f, good) 11 days ago but stamina has to be a concern on just his third try over a 1m.

14/1

7th

11

(4)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Persuasion

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David & Nicola Barron

Won at Musselburgh (7f, good) in April, making it 2-3 at the Edinburgh venue, and he's just 2lb higher today; can't be totally dismissed but this 9yo is inconsistent and was soundly beaten at Thirsk (7f, good) last time.

33/1

Form: 410280 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Not straightforward but he has plenty of ability; produced with a perfectly timed challenge to win at Newmarket in July (7f, good to firm; third run for David O'Meara) but that hasn't been a springboard to better things; this is easier than last time but he'll need luck in running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newmarket (July)

Leadman

9st 10lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David O’Meara

Has performed well in two runs at the July festival, notably a win (off just 1lb lower) in this race last year; narrowly justified favouritism at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) latest start, setting up him well for a return to this track; respected.

9/2

1st

7

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Leadman

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Shaped very well when second in a big-field York handicap (7f) in May but he's twice failed to build on it, just a fair sixth back there (7f) eight days ago; handily weighted but it's now 13 runs since his last victory.

11/2

6th

6

(4)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Leadman

9st 12lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Has an underwhelming strike-rate, given his ability, and his two C&D runs last month (both good ground) rather sum him up, shaping very well when second of 22 at the Dante meeting but never involved when favourite eight days later; could pop up but it's likely things will need to drop this hold-up performer's way.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 123905 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
In fine form on AW earlier in the year and he's feasibly weighted on that form; his last three runs have been uninspiring but Jason Hart is a positive booking for the stable and a return to more prominent tactics could be in the offing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Legal Reform

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Herrington

Won a division of this off 9lb lower in 2025 when it was run as a 0-85, and raised his highest mark defied twice more after; holding his own in Polytrack Class 2s of late, but has more back in his favour tonight.

7/2

3rd

4

(6)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 2

16:53 Lingfield (AW)

Legal Reform

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Has registered all wins over 7f and in lower grades; however, ran respectably in Lingfield Class 2 most recently, while shaping as if this return to 1m is worth a go; whether he can defy current mark is another matter.

12/1

4th

3

(5)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Legal Reform

9st 3lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Michael Herrington

Into the veteran stage but in the form of his life this winter, finishing third over C&D before a Wolverhampton win and a Southwell second; likely vulnerable to an improver but should give his running again.

9/2

Form: 6-5099 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Made a winning 2yo debut for Hugo Palmer (7f, good to soft) and he followed that with a second of seven in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood; little to celebrate since then and he has plenty to prove on his stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

9th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

15:10 Carlisle

Wolf Of Badenoch

10st 2lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Winless since his debut in 2024 and he arrives below par, only sixth in 9.5f Wolverhampton handicap last time; also has his stamina to prove.

4/1

6th

7

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:54 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wolf Of Badenoch

9st 3lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Second in a Group 2 for Hugo Palmer as a 2yo before proving hard to place last year; found his level again but twice turned over at short prices recently (latest third has been boosted since) and has stamina to prove upped from 1m back on the AW.

6/1

3rd

2

(1)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Ayr

Wolf Of Badenoch

9st 12lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Very smart 2yo who has lost his way but off a much reduced mark he was a close fourth at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) after being well backed; he might well have won that race on another day as he hit some traffic.

6/4

Form: 20-883 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Had her conditions at Sandown (soft) two weeks ago but although she finished third, she was over 12l behind the winner; drying conditions here will suit others better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 3

15:52 Musselburgh

Lexington Belle

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Alice Haynes

Back in reasonably good form, having made the frame in last two outings, beaten only 2l at Haydock latest; still quite fresh, having had a light 2025 campaign, and is 1lb below last winning mark; one to consider.

7/2

5

(2)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:35 Haydock

Lexington Belle

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Had her conditions at Sandown (soft) two weeks ago but although she finished third, she was over 12l behind the winner; drying conditions here will suit others better.

16/1

8

(3)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Lexington Belle

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Came good 12 months ago when faced with testing ground so every drop of rain to fall beforehand will be welcomed; well beaten in two runs this year but quite possible she'll be seen to better effect this time.

33/1

Form: 90-130 D

Last run: 133 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Returned from a six-month absence to win a 6f handicap at Newcastle in April; third at Chester's May meeting over this trip (good ground) but flopped at York nine days later, after which he was found to have an irregular heartbeat; not handicapped out of things but others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:05 Newcastle (AW)

The Turpinator

9st 7lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

C&D win last April came off a 5lb higher mark; good second at Wolverhampton three weeks ago but unable to back it up at Southwell one week later (both 7f); chance if back to his best.

10/1

8th

10

(7)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

18:00 Southwell (AW)

The Turpinator

9st 3lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Four-time AW winner, the latest at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) in April; now 2lb lower and no problem with the return to 7f, but he needs to fare better than in his last three starts.

25/1

8th

10

(7)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

18:00 Southwell (AW)

The Turpinator

9st 3lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Four-time AW winner, the latest at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) in April; now 2lb lower and no problem with the return to 7f, but he needs to fare better than in his last three starts.

25/1

Form: 190-67 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won twice last June (7f, soft/1m, good to firm) and he is now 1lb lower than for the second success; only midfield in two starts last month (after a year off) but he has the ability to feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(2)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:58 Nottingham

Metabolt

9st 10lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

A dual 7f/1m winner in 2024; lightly raced this term and got back on track when fifth of 11 in 7f Haydock handicap 12 days ago; one to consider off an easing mark with blinkers added.

8/1

7

(9)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:35 Haydock

Metabolt

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: David Loughnane

Won twice last June (7f, soft/1m, good to firm) and he is now 1lb lower than for the second success; only midfield in two starts last month (after a year off) but he has the ability to feature.

8/1

7th

6

(15)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Sandown

Metabolt

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

Held by Kodi Lion on Haydock running but may fare better with that reappearance effort under his belt; however, perhaps ideally needs a drop back in grade, having never won above Class 4.

14/1

Form: 232110 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Front-running wins at Ascot and Chepstow this summer (both 7f, good to firm and good to soft); weak in the market and dropped away tamely at Newcastle five weeks ago; return to 7f and the redeployment of blinkers should give him a lift; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(7)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Newmarket (July)

Flag Of St George

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Prominent racer who won two 7f turf handicaps last summer; also close second off 1lb higher at Lingfield (7f) in December but his form dipped in two subsequent starts last winter; off for 169 days so his peak fitness has to be taken on trust.

11/1

8th

8

(1)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

15:03 Southwell (AW)

Flag Of St George

8st 11lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Prominent racer who won two 7f turf handicaps last summer; close second at Lingfield (7f) on his penultimate start but his form dipped when fifth of six behind Legal Reform on Boxing Day; a personal best will be required to take this.

10/1

8

(7)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:35 Haydock

Flag Of St George

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Front-running wins at Ascot and Chepstow this summer (both 7f, good to firm and good to soft); weak in the market and dropped away tamely at Newcastle five weeks ago; return to 7f and the redeployment of blinkers should give him a lift; considered.

5/1

Form: 18-500

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won 6f novice on heavy as 2yo but yet to shine in handicaps, including two runs for new yard; this is less taxing than the Ayr Silver Cup last week but he has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Arctic Voyage

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Once a sprinter on the Flat but has won twice over hurdles since joining current yard, a Hereford maiden and a C&D novice (both on good); hard to know what to make of his remote second in a handicap back here a month ago when the winner strolled home by some 26l.

9/2

2nd

5

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Arctic Voyage

10st 9lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Useful on testing ground on the Flat early in career and this 4yo has tapped back into that promise over hurdles this spring, winning a maiden at Hereford (2m, good) in April on his second stable start and following up in a C&D novice (good); trainer won this with Clearance, after whom this race is named, in 2022 and 2024; intriguing candidate back in a handicap.

5/2

1st

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Arctic Voyage

11st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

6f winner for Ralph Beckett and came good at the sixth attempt over hurdles with a clearcut win at Hereford (2m, good; hood removed); this 4yo now carries a penalty but has less to prove than most of these.

4/6

Form: 000780 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Three wins in 2024, including C&D, and she looked set for another good year when third at Chester on her seasonal return in May; little joy since but dropped 15lb for her troubles; too much to prove for comfort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 77-473 D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Huge improvement once switched to handicaps, ending her 3yo career with a hat-trick and winning her first two starts as a 4yo; found life harder since but she won a Newmarket handicap by daylight last summer and she wasn't beaten far at that track five weeks ago; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(7)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

16:23 Carlisle

Albeseeingyer

10st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Without a win since summer 2024 but her second at Leicester (7f, good) in April was a good effort and she didn't run badly when sixth from awkward draw at Wetherby (7f, good to firm) this month; 2-3 at this track (both wins over C&D in 2022) and may well be the answer.

13/2

6th

5

(12)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:42 Wetherby

Albeseeingyer

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Steph Hollinshead

Left low-key seasonal debut behind when second at Leicester (7f, good; well backed) in April; remains on a good mark but was safely held when back at Leicester last month and is drawn wide here.

12/1

Non-runners

Lord Bertie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.30
Straight Forecast £61.18
Tricast £705.10
Trifecta £745.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Persuasion

TOPSPEED:

Flag Of St George

D Express:

Albeseeingyer

NEWMARKET:

Lexington Belle

The Times:

Leadman

Telegraph:

Flag Of St George

Daily Record:

Albeseeingyer

RP RATINGS:

Persuasion

POSTDATA:

Persuasion

The Guardian:

Persuasion

Daily Mail:

Persuasion

Daily Mirror:

Persuasion

The Sun:

Persuasion

The Star:

Persuasion