May 23 / 16.05 Haydock

16.05

Soft

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 2m 0f 46y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Abandoned

Form: -68215 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
What a fantastic horse he's been, hitting his peak in 2024 but coming down the weights in handicaps and already making his presence felt over 2m and 1m4f this season; his fifth in Germany 13 days ago was in a Group 2, so another good run; effective at this track and remains in serious calculations on good or good to soft, but unproven on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(15)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Prydwen

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Prolific 8yo who gained his 11th success when taking 1m4f Ripon handicap in April; also effective at 2m this term, including C&D, but he's edged back up the weights; place player but he may be vulnerable for win purposes.

14/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 7606-0 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Started 2025 with a bang when winning a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in April; remote with ambitious targets on next three starts, followed by an upturn (sixth of 11) in 2m handicap at Chester in September but well beaten on Newmarket reappearance (1m6f) three weeks ago; hood and blinkers (he has tried other headgear) are now given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

7

(16)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Yashin

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Bell

Ex-Irish 7yo; won a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 over 2m here in April 2025 on his stable debut but failed to kick on and he needed to run a lot better than he did at Newmarket in early May (1m6f) to be seriously considered here; the hood and blinkers are new additions.

50/1

12th

3

(9)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Yashin

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Bell

Started 2025 with a bang for new connections when winning a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in April; remote with ambitious targets on next three starts and although sixth of 11 in 2m handicap at Chester in September was an upturn, markedly better is required to win this..

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 66070- C

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
2-2 here on the Flat, albeit in 2021; very smart on Flat at his best but he's not scored in this sphere since 2023 and had a disappointing 2025; had a mixed hurdles campaign last season, last seen 11 weeks ago; all wins have been on soft or heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

2

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Tashkhan

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Brian Ellison

Off since a mixed hurdles campaign ended in March; formerly very smart on Flat but he's not scored in this sphere since 2023, had a disappointing 2025 and all wins have been on soft or heavy ground; tailed off in this race in 2024.

40/1

Abandoned

Form: 111-62 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ended last year in storming form for 1m6f/2m hat-trick and came a respectable second at Newbury (2m, good) five weeks ago after a three-month break; peak efforts on softer than good, so she needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

9

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Blazeon Five

9st 1lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Alan King

Ended last year in storming form with a 1m6f/2m hat-trick, the final leg on Southwell Tapeta; not disgraced when never dangerous here in January and made a satisfactory return to turf (second at Newbury) in April, but this 8yo needs to hit another new high.

20/1

2nd

2

(4)

17th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

16:20 Newbury

Blazeon Five

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Ended last year in storming form for 1m6f/2m hat-trick and not disgraced when never dangerous in January when last seen; peak efforts on softer than good but she's not dismissed.

7/1

Abandoned

Form: 650-43 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won two 1m6f handicaps last term, one in a valuable race here; back-to-form third with a first-time visor at Newmarket (1m6f) three weeks ago, so re-enters calculations despite earlier lesser efforts over 2m2f and 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(4)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Pole Star

8st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Respectable third to Goblet Of Fire on the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) in May in a first-time visor; perhaps any beneficial effect from the headgear has worn off, as he ran poorly on latest start, but he is now 1lb below his last winning mark (from last July) and the visor is removed.

14/1

11th

8

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

14:53 Ayr

Pole Star

9st 4lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Charlie Johnston

Good third in first-time visor (retained since) at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) last month and again ran well at Thirsk (2m, good) last time, when outstayed; last win came on soft ground last July; he's one to consider.

9/1

5th

3

(11)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Pole Star

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Won two 1m6f handicaps last term; back-to-form third with a first-time visor at Newmarket (1m6f) four weeks ago, so he re-enters calculations despite earlier lesser efforts over 2m2f and 2m.

9/2

Abandoned

Form: 1239-6 C

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Almuhit

8st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Faye Bramley

Made most for two game wins in four-runner C&D races (good to firm) last summer, latterly in this race off 2lb higher than today; second to Baileys Khelstar over C&D on latest outing was in just a three-runner race but easily his best Flat effort this year, so he could be on his way back.

9/2

2nd

1

(2)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Newbury

Almuhit

10st 1lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Faye Bramley

Comes into this off the back of winning a three-runner race over hurdles at Fontwell, but he is equally adept on the Flat with two wins in four-runner contests over C&D (good to firm) last summer, including this race off 1lb lower; respected.

7/2

Form: 22220/

Last run: 588 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Finally off the mark in Britain in May 2024 and runner-up on next four starts, including when coming from well back over 2m4f at Glorious Goodwood; however, he flopped when just 9-1 for the Cesarewitch (soft) that October and not seen since; that was his only run in Britain on softer than good; well handicapped were he to return at his best after 588 days off; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Premiere Ligne

9st 6lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hughie Morrison

Very solid record in 2024 on turf but 592 days off before this season; beaten a long way on his return (his only AW race) and not so far next time but he still has major work to do to turn things around.

33/1

6th

3

(3)

12th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:39 Goodwood

Premiere Ligne

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

Beaten a long way on his return from 20 months off at Kempton (2m, AW) 16 days ago and still 6lb above his last winning mark; needs the ground to dry out.

14/1

9th

1

(4)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Premiere Ligne

10st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

Finally off the mark in Britain in May 2024 and runner-up on next four starts, including when coming from well back over 2m4f at Glorious Goodwood; however, he flopped when just 9-1 for the Cesarewitch (soft) that October and not seen since; that was his only run in Britain on softer than good; well handicapped were he to return at his best on this AW debut after 588 days off; market may guide.

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 34122- BF

Last run: 229 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Small-field Lingfield maiden last August was his only win but he was on the premises in nearly all his handicaps; tried various headgear on last five starts and switches it again on this first run since leaving Ralph Beckett for 90,000gns in October; unraced beyond 1m4f or on softer than good, but staying trips are worth exploring and he has a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

17:32 Chester

Venezuelan

10st 2lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Gary Hanmer

Won a small-field maiden last August and he went close in 1m4f handicaps in his final two runs for Ralph Beckett; left that yard for 90,000gns last autumn; struggled on stable debut here (2m, good) in May but he was a fair fourth over the same C&D last month; has possibilities if he can build on that and he's in the mix back in trip.

11/2

4th

1

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Venezuelan

9st 11lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Gary Hanmer

Won a small-field maiden when with Ralph Beckett for whom he was competitive in handicaps at up to 1m4f; left that yard for 90,000gns; finished behind Midnight Rumble here four weeks ago on yard debut when trying 2m for the first time; that was after a lengthy break so might well be all the sharper here, and Toby Moore is a positive booking.

10/1

8th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Venezuelan

9st 13lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Gary Hanmer

Small-field Lingfield maiden last August was his only win but he was on the premises in nearly all his handicaps; tried various headgear on last five starts and switches it again on this first run since leaving Ralph Beckett for 90,000gns in October; unraced beyond 1m4f but staying trips are worth exploring and he has a competitive mark.

8/1

Abandoned

Form: 5114-4 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Abandoned

Form: 6610-7

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Abandoned

Form: 554422 BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Held up; 6yo who is 6-27 on AW surfaces but 1-14 on turf; minor honours back on turf for last four outings and he was second of six in this race last year, but a supporting role again seems likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:40 York

Humble Spark

9st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Slow starter whose losing run goes back 17 races to March 2025; however, he went down by only a nose over C&D (good) last month and was caught too far back in a Class 2 at Ayr since; bold show likely with his sights lowered.

6/1

9th

11

(11)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

14:53 Ayr

Humble Spark

8st 8lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Slow starter whose losing run goes back 16 races to March 2025; however, he's been second on three of his last four starts, most recently at York (1m4f, good) last Saturday; slow ground is probably fine; each-way chance.

12/1

2nd

5

(4)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Humble Spark

9st 11lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Jim Goldie

Often a slow starter; couldn't get into it at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm) a fortnight ago but runner-up twice in a row at Hamilton (1m5f/1m3f, good) before that; could be involved if today's race pans out favourably.

5/1

Non-runners

Zinc White

Verdict

Topweight Prydwen has the same colours that were carried to victory last year by Caballo De Mar for George Scott and there is a good chance that this redoubtable 8yo will follow suit if the ground is not worse than good to soft. The lightly raced, ex-French HERMETIC could be too hot for him to handle, though, after he seemingly exceeded expectations over a shorter trip on his British debut. Blazeon Five is third on the list, ahead of Pole Star.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hermetic

RP RATINGS:

Prydwen

TOPSPEED:

Venezuelan

Daily Mail:

Humble Spark

NEWMARKET:

Yashin

Daily Record:

Blazeon Five

The Times:

Hermetic

Telegraph:

Hermetic

The Guardian:

Hermetic

The Sun:

Hermetic

D Express:

Venezuelan

POSTDATA:

Prydwen

Daily Mirror:

Prydwen

The Star:

Prydwen