September 27 / 15.15 Haydock

15.15

Good To Soft

Oddschecker Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 7f 212y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Oddschecker Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

Form: -22722

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Soft-ground novice win last autumn; has a touch of seconditis over 6f/7f this term but he's built up a solid record and 1m looks worth a go; might be one who needs his mind making up and De Sousa taking the reins for the first time could also be a positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(8)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Goodwood

Fondo Blanco

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Progressed into a useful sort last term but has a doubt over current form, having posted two duck eggs (both at Ascot) this season; best watched unless the market suggests a revival is likely.

25/1

10th

6

(11)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Fondo Blanco

9st 11lb

J: Mme Marie Velon

T: Roger Varian

Progressive 3yo last year; gelded prior to finishing down the field in the Buckingham Palace Stakes here (7f, good to firm) at the Royal meeting, a run that is easily excused given his draw; now tongue tied; not fully exposed at 1m and he is one to consider.

14/1

7/2

Form: 11 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
First foal of the multiple Group 1 winner Laurens; unbeaten in 7f Newcastle maiden and 1m Southwell novice seven months apart; his Southwell win has been boosted by the second, third, fourth and fifth winning since; lacks experience for a race of this nature but rates a smart prospect now switching to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

First Ambition

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Keady

5yo who won last year on first two starts before good second on handicap debut at Haydock where he was 7lb higher; however, his form has gone the wrong way since and there was no revival on last month's stable debut.

50/1

6th

3

(3)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:33 Kempton (AW)

First Ambition

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Michael Keady

Won his first two starts for Karl Burke last year but he hasn't kicked on from his handicap debut second (1m, good to soft) last September (RPR 95); sold for 22,000gns in April; drops in class but not a solid option.

14/1

Form: 430105 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Showed he's a useful sort with Glorious Goodwood success (1m, heavy) in July; one of his slow starts scuppered him back at Goodwood next time but he got away on terms when a respectable fifth of 14 to Treble Tee at Doncaster (1m, good) a fortnight ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

3rd Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:24 Salisbury

Principality

10st 1lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

He's added two wins at about 1m (good and good to firm) this year and wasn't seen to best advantage at Goodwood on Sunday, unable to get a clear run until the birds ahead had flown; capable of better on this quick return.

7/1

4th

3

(3)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:00 Goodwood

Principality

9st 12lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Raised only 2lb for his wins at Nottingham in May and Newmarket last time, so looks likely to remain competitive, especially as he's a dual Goodwood scorer.

11/2

1st

6

(1)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:37 Newmarket (July)

Principality

9st 10lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

His wins have come on good or heavy ground but he's effective on good to firm; has been and up down since his win at Glorious Goodwood last summer but he scored at Nottingham (8.3f) in May and backed that up with a creditable fifth in a big field at Epsom the following month; returns after a short break but he could go well on this drop back in grade.

6/1

16/1

Form: 305495 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Made a good start to the term with creditable thirds in competitive handicaps at Thirsk and York in the spring but hasn't been in quite the same form since; his mark has edged down as a result but others are still more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

22

(9)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

La Trinidad

8st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Roger Fell

9yo who went 0-10 last year but he's well handicapped on the pick of last season's efforts, which came in the spring, and his Doncaster form-figures of 1413 catch the eye on his first visit here since 2023; interesting.

50/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

La Trinidad

10st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win).

7/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

La Trinidad

10st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win).

7/1

13/2

Form: 2-1107

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won a pair of 7f novice events (good to firm/good) in May; not disgraced in warm 7f 3yo handicaps at Glorious Goodwood and Doncaster St Leger meeting since; shaped on Town Moor as if this return to 1m may suit; remains unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(4)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

El Matador

8st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ralph Beckett

Low-mileage 4yo, who has form figures of 223 this season and that latest third was a bold bid in a Ripon handicap (1m2f, good) last month; still has scope for further progress and he's respected on this drop back in trip.

3/1

Form: 3144-1 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Better than ever when landing a 7f Newbury handicap (good to soft) on last Saturday's belated reappearance; a 3lb rise is fair but a second outing in quick succession after an absence has to be a slight concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(8)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Newbury

Christian David

9st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

0-8 this season but he's been bubbling under, and he'd have gone close to winning at Haydock (7f, good) last Saturday but for being badly hampered inside the final 1f; dangerous if he's fully recovered from that.

11/2

3rd

5

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

15:34 Haydock

Christian David

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Mixed form this season but last two efforts creditable and the way his challenge petered out late on over 1m at Ascot a fortnight ago suggests this return to 7f could prove ideal.

9/2

5th

8

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Christian David

8st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Mixed form this season but kept on well for close fourth at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last Saturday; might not be far away back up to 1m.

9/1

Form: 1372-6 D BF

Last run: 182 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Wrapped up a good 3yo campaign with smart effort for second of 12 in 1m Doncaster handicap (soft) last October; couldn't justify favouritism but still made a respectable return to the track when sixth of 22 in the Lincoln there (1m, good to soft) in March; off a further six months since but evidently capable when fresh and remains with untapped potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(8)

4th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 2

13:55 Musselburgh

Midnight Gun

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Faded in a 1m Listed race at Saint-Cloud (heavy) in November; had previously won a novice and a handicap (good) at that trip but the return to 7f worked well for him at Doncaster (soft) in October when he was bumped and later met trouble, only just failing against one on the crest of a wave; that strong form gives him solid claims.

9/4

3

(10)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

15:18 Doncaster

Midnight Gun

9st 10lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Lightly raced 4yo; campaigned mostly at 1m but his two efforts this term, including when sixth in the Lincoln here, suggest this return to 7f is worth exploring; good second at Doncaster (soft) 12 months ago; possibilities, provided he takes well to first-time headgear.

9/2

7th

2

(11)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Midnight Gun

9st 13lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Wrapped up a good 3yo campaign with smart effort for second of 12 in 1m Doncaster handicap (soft) last October; couldn't justify favouritism but still made a respectable return to the track when sixth of 22 in the Lincoln there (1m, good to soft) in March; off a further six months since but evidently capable when fresh and remains with untapped potential.

4/1

Form: 207302

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

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; bounced straight back from a poor run on AW when runner-up over C&D on good ground again three weeks ago; ought to be in the mix.
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

14/1

Form: 5-6597

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Only 1-10 but running better this season than his form figures may suggest and contested a Group 2 on his penultimate run; he's not without hope off a reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(2)

1st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

20:30 Hamilton

Intrusively

10st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Appleby

Good and bad in six runs for this yard, failing to build on a decent run at Newcastle when seventh of eight at Doncaster last time.

8/1

7th

2

(2)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

15:55 Doncaster

Intrusively

9st 12lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Good and bad in five runs for this yard, but wasn't beaten far the last time at Newcastle (1m) and on the evidence of that run this far is worth exploring.

7/1

4th

7

(14)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:18 Newcastle (AW)

Intrusively

9st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

Down the field on three of his four starts for this yard, including at Doncaster three weeks ago on latest outing; however, prior to that he caught the eye with a close fourth at Nottingham and he's 4lb lower today; capable of going well.

10/1

OUR TIP

40/1

Form: 130- D

Last run: 315 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Quickly reached a useful level for Aidan O'Brien at the end of last summer, winning a 1m Leopardstown maiden then 1l third in a Dundalk Listed race over an extended 1m2f; subsequently allowed to leave Ballydoyle for only 18,000gns and last of ten in 1m2f Newcastle Listed event for new connections last November; off since and a watching brief is very much the call after gelding and wind operations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

2

(15)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Platoon

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Stella Barclay

Made a promising start to his career for Aidan O'Brien last August and September, but down the field on stable debut in AW Listed race last November and tailed off at 50-1 on belated reappearance in a handicap at Haydock a fortnight ago; a transformation is needed in a first-time tongue-tie.

66/1

10th

1

(9)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Platoon

10st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Stella Barclay

Quickly reached a useful level for Aidan O'Brien at the end of last summer, winning a 1m Leopardstown maiden then 1l third in a Dundalk Listed race over an extended 1m2f; subsequently allowed to leave Ballydoyle for only 18,000gns and last of ten in 1m2f Newcastle Listed event for new connections last November; off since and a watching brief is very much the call after gelding and wind operations.

40/1

Non-runners

Hawksbill

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £29.13
Tricast £269.76

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Fondo Blanco

SPOTLIGHT:

Midnight Gun

The Guardian:

First Ambition

The Times:

Hawksbill

TOPSPEED:

Tilted Kilt

Daily Mirror:

Christian David

POSTDATA:

La Trinidad

The Star:

First Ambition

Daily Mail:

Fondo Blanco

Daily Record:

Fondo Blanco

Telegraph:

Hawksbill

D Express:

Tilted Kilt

RP RATINGS:

Midnight Gun

The Sun:

Midnight Gun