October 17 / 13.55 Haydock

13.55

Good To Soft

CopyBet Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £7851
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
CopyBet Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.60
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 72213 C BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
1m5f bumper winner (good to soft) who easily made all on handicap debut here (11.3f, good) last month; well beaten when upped to 1m6f at Ffos Las subsequently but that was on heavy going; this lightly raced 4yo retains potential and is well worth another go at this trip; in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Gnomon

10st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

Fairly useful Flat racer; runner-up on first three hurdle starts (all 2m) before cruising clear in four-runner Ascot maiden (2m3f, good) last month; could easily have more improvement to come in handicap hurdles; interesting.

7/2

1st

2

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

13:55 Ascot

Gnomon

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two Flat handicaps for Ralph Beckett; he's getting there over hurdles judged on his near miss at Taunton (2m, good) and this longer trip could trigger the improvement he'll need to trouble West Hill Verde.

9/4

2nd

4

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Gnomon

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two handicaps on the Flat for Ralph Beckett, the latest at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) in October; runner-up on both starts over hurdles, last time finishing 10l second at Kempton (2m, good; third has won since); contender.

3/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: -47592

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
4yo who has failed to progress this year but he got back on track with a nose second of six to High Point over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; there's every chance he'll be thereabouts once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

13:55 Haydock

Contacto

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

4yo who has failed to progress this year but he got back on track with a nose second of six to High Point over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; there's every chance he'll be thereabouts once more.

9/2

2nd

3

(3)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Contacto

10st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Progressive in handicaps last term; hasn't continued in the same vein during a fairly light 2025 campaign but faced a tough task in the Old Borough Cup here most recently; this is easier.

7/2

9th

15

(6)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Contacto

8st 6lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Andrew Balding

Won two 3yo handicaps last spring (1m4f, soft) and ran well in defeat on first two starts this season (2m, good/AW); disappointing at Ascot (2m, good) last time but holds each-way possibilities if back on song.

16/1

15/8

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 22311

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last month and improved again to follow up at Newcastle (12.4f, AW); did it comfortably last time and an 8lb rise may not stop her if she can transfer her handicap form back to grass; showed promise in Thirsk maiden (1m4f, good to firm) on sole turf run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(7)

21st Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 1

15:05 Pontefract

Coedana

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Edward Bethell

Has posted good efforts in 1m4f Listed event at Goodwood and 1m3f Group 3 at Carlisle this term, maintaining her solid record and steadily progressive RPRs; new rating gives her a leading chance in this field.

7/2

3rd

2

(1)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 1

15:10 Carlisle

Coedana

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Edward Bethell

Improving with virtually every run, and was even better than the bare result when second in Listed race at Goodwood (1m4f, good; came from a long way back) four weeks ago; up in grade again but still has more in the tank and not to be underestimated.

12/1

2nd

2

(9)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

15:50 Goodwood

Coedana

9st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Edward Bethell

Proved most progressive last season when a dual 1m4f AW handicap scorer in the autumn; steps up in grade here but she's capable of further improvement.

14/1

Form: /95014 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Two-time course winner who scored at Pontefract (1m4f, good to soft) last month and still looked in good form when fourth of seven in slowly run race at Nottingham (1m6f, good to soft) last time; possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

(7)

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

In The Breeze

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Henrietta C Knight

Only his second attempt over this far in a 31-race career came at Goodwood (soft) ten weeks ago when he came from the rear in a six-runner race to win by 5l; 6lb higher today (with more to prove if the ground is firmer than good) but new horizons as a stayer have been opened up.

22/1

1st

2

(6)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Goodwood

In The Breeze

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Henrietta C Knight

Had a 1m4f win for Mick Appleby last September and another for Henrietta Knight at Thirsk this April; however, no show in a more competitive race on latest start, has never won over further than 1m4f and, although probably stays 1m6f, his sole attempt at 2m (final start last term) was not persuasive.

20/1

11th

8

(14)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

In The Breeze

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Henrietta C Knight

Won at Pontefract (1m4f, good to soft) for Mick Appleby last September and bounced back from below-par efforts to end 2025 when making a successful start for the Henrietta Knight stable over 1m4f at Thirsk (good) four weeks ago; did that readily but this looks significantly tougher than that five-runner affair.

16/1

5/1

Form: -77031 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Returned to form in reapplied cheekpieces when third on stable debut at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) last month and was suited by the step up in trip when narrowly beating Contacto over this C&D (good to soft) subsequently; won on good ground early in career; respected up 3lb for last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(6)

15th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Ripon

High Point

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Made all on his final start for Ross Burdon at Yarmouth (11.5f, soft) in June but has failed to beat a rival in two recent starts for new trainer Iain Jardine; can only be watched at present.

66/1

10th

6

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

High Point

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Made all on his final start for Ross Burdon at Yarmouth (11.5f, soft) in June, after which he changed hands for 19,000gns; rain would be a bonus but he did trail home last at Hamilton only last week (1m5f) and has a good bit to prove at 1m.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: -80003

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Having been struggling to get competitive in Class 2 handicaps this season he was dropped in grade at Southwell (1m6f, AW) last month and returned to form with a 5l third of 11 behind a commanding winner; however, he needs to take another step back in the right direction today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(2)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:33 Newmarket (July)

Imperial Sovereign

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Philip Kirby

On a long losing sequence, being 0-21 since debut win; however, beat all bar a subsequent scorer last time, over 1m6f at Chester, and appears to hold a fighting chance off the same mark, which is 22lb lower than his peak one.

9/2

2nd

2

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

17:32 Chester

Imperial Sovereign

9st 12lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Philip Kirby

No wins since an odds-on debut success for Karl Burke back in 2023; well handicapped on his old form but he's been well held in his last three runs including over 1m6f at York (good) two weeks ago; down the list.

9/1

4th

4

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 4

15:38 York

Imperial Sovereign

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Philip Kirby

No wins since an odds-on debut success for Karl Burke back in 2023 but he's run with credit on plenty of occasions; that wasn't the case at Chester last time, however, and on balance he's opposable despite this career-low mark.

12/1

66/1

Form: 5838/9

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Two Flat wins, the latest in 2022, and he won over fences for Dan Skelton last December; however, following an absence he was tailed off at 100-1 on the Flat on last month's stable debut at Newcastle (1m4f, AW).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Skycutter

9st 11lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Very much enjoyed the run of the race when making all over 1m6f here 13 days ago; may not have the same luxury this time, but is just 3lb higher and remains unexposed in staying handicaps on the AW.

11/4

1st

2

(2)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

14:14 Southwell (AW)

Skycutter

10st 0lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Useful jumper; 25lb higher when joining this yard and, after five defeats at big prices, he's run well to finish third at Southwell (1m4f) and Wolverhampton (1m6f) in last two starts; should go well again and he could be a big factor if he gets a good pace.

9/2

3rd

5

(7)

3rd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Skycutter

9st 9lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Useful jumper; 25lb higher when joining this yard and, after five defeats at big prices, the money came for him at Southwell 17 days ago (1m4f); fared better in third on that occasion and he's handicapped to go well.

11/4

Form: 531431 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Two-time bumper winner (soft/good) who has made all in Flat handicaps this year at Southwell (2m, AW) and Chester (1m6f, heavy); he did it easily last time and, while the form perhaps shouldn't be taken at face value, a 6lb rise isn't overly harsh; could make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(2)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Dino Bellagio

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Donald McCain

Made all twice last season, latterly in good style over 1m6f here (heavy) in September; just 1lb higher today after lesser shows this term but the latest was a step back in the right direction and he stays 2m; case can be made.

6/1

4th

2

(8)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell (AW)

Dino Bellagio

10st 2lb

J: David Nolan

T: Donald McCain

Made all in a big field here (2m) last July and he's on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; however, he's been well beaten on both outings this year and needs to turn things around.

7/1

5th

6

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

16:37 Chester

Dino Bellagio

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Donald McCain

Made all to win by 5l on heavy ground here (1m6f) in September and will warrant consideration if conditions become similarly testing today but his seasonal debut was disappointing and he's not one to rely upon.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.10
Straight Forecast £12.57
Tricast £33.77
Trifecta £59.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Coedana

POSTDATA:

Contacto

RP RATINGS:

Gnomon

NEWMARKET:

High Point

TOPSPEED:

Imperial Sovereign

The Times:

Coedana

The Guardian:

Coedana

Daily Mail:

Coedana

D Express:

Coedana

The Sun:

Coedana

The Star:

Coedana

Daily Mirror:

Gnomon

LAMBOURN:

Contacto

Daily Record:

Contacto

Telegraph:

High Point