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1.32 Haydock: Betfair HPR Training Series Apprentice Handicap

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Pergamon (FR) (Total: 259, Odds: 11.00)
  2. The Crafty Mole (Total: 252, Odds: 4.50)
• Assessment:
  • Pergamon (FR), a 4-year-old, has a history of wins, scoring twice over hurdles in May and achieving a 1m7f victory in France last summer. His most recent Flat outing saw him produce an encouraging performance when third of six in a Flat handicap at Doncaster (2m, good to soft), wearing a first-time tongue-tie. This effort was behind two 3-year-olds who have since won well, indicating he is still lightly raced on the Flat and should be considered today.
  • The Crafty Mole, a 4-year-old, is a front-runner who secured two wins (1m2f/1m4f) on good to soft ground this season. While he raced freely to establish a clear lead at Carlisle recently, he rallied to finish a credible second. There is some doubt about his ability to stay the 1m6f distance, but the spotlight verdict considers him solid to run well.

2.07 Haydock: Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange EBF Fillies Novice Stakes

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Legacy Link (Total: 257, Odds: 11-8)
  2. Lyrics Of Life (Total: 250, Odds: 6-4)
• Assessment:
  • Legacy Link, a 2-year-old Dubawi filly, boasts an exceptional pedigree as the first foal of a 1m4f AW winner and sister to Frankel and Noble Mission. She finished third of eight at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on her debut, 4 lengths behind Lyrics Of Life, and is expected to improve significantly. She holds a prestigious Group 1 Fillies’ Mile entry, with the spotlight verdict noting her impeccable pedigree.
  • Lyrics Of Life, a 2-year-old, was a disappointing favourite at Newmarket in May but showed vast improvement to finish second of eight at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) four weeks ago, travelling more smoothly than Legacy Link and beating her by 4 lengths. She also holds a Group 1 Fillies’ Mile entry and brings the clearest form to the race today. The spotlight verdict gives her the vote.

2.42 Haydock: Arete Foundation Stakes Handicap (Div 1)

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Alligator Alley (Total: 283, Odds: 5.50)
  2. Glory Fighter (Total: 278, Odds: 5.00)
• Assessment:
  • Alligator Alley, an 8-year-old, despite not being “the force of old,” is handicapped accordingly and has produced several good performances in defeat this year. His most recent notable run was runner-up at Redcar (5f, good to firm), and he was also runner-up on soft ground last August. He is considered in the shake-up for this race.
  • Glory Fighter, a 9-year-old, has had a mixed season but secured two wins, including a recent victory at Catterick (5f, good) last week, incurring a 4lb penalty. He has a proven ability on various ground conditions and is a C&D winner, making him a horse to be respected. The spotlight verdict includes him among horses arriving following good performances.

3.15 Haydock: Arete Foundation Stakes Handicap (Div 2)

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Corolla Point (Total: 285, Odds: 5.00)
  2. Secret Mistral (Total: 247, Odds: 7.00)
• Assessment:
  • Corolla Point, an ex-Godolphin 3-year-old, was purchased for 60,000gns in July. He won on his only 2-year-old start (5f, soft) and may benefit from returning to easier ground on his stable debut for Ed Bethell. The spotlight verdict identifies him as a fascinating contender.
  • Secret Mistral, a 7-year-old, is a three-time course winner who has shown consistent good form in defeat this year, including a runner-up finish at Redcar (5f, good to firm). He is expected to be a strong contender given a clear run from his inside draw.

3.50 Haydock: Tattersalls 40,000 EBF Fillies Novice Stakes

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Yorkshire Queen (Total: 259, Odds: 3.50)
  2. Sweet Echo (Total: 243, Odds: 17.00)
• Assessment:
  • Yorkshire Queen, a 2-year-old, demonstrated the best form in this field by finishing second of eight against males on her debut at Musselburgh (7f, good). She is open to improvement, and her half-sister Princess Alex has won on soft/good to soft ground.
  • Sweet Echo, a 2-year-old, finished fourth of 12 on her debut at Windsor (6f, good to firm) last month, despite a slow start. This half-sister to three winners is open to improvement and not ruled out for this race.

4.20 Haydock: M Group NW Fillies Handicap

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Spirit Of Jenny (IRE) (Total: 244, Odds: 6.00)
  2. Dream Illusion (Total: 241, Odds: 7.00)
• Assessment:
  • Spirit Of Jenny (IRE), a 3-year-old, put in a promising performance to finish third on her handicap debut at Newmarket last month. She is expected to break her maiden in this race.
  • Dream Illusion, a 3-year-old, won at Wolverhampton (7f) in May and recorded a close fourth there last month. She has shown reasonable form on turf this summer, but there is a suspicion that AW may suit her best. Despite this, she is not discounted on her return to grass.

4.55 Haydock: Oakmere Homes Handicap

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Mostar Dreams (IRE) (Total: 306, Odds: 7.00)
  2. Quest For Fun (Total: 299, Odds: 6.50)
• Assessment:
  • Mostar Dreams (IRE), a 4-year-old, secured her second win of the season over C&D (good to firm) last month but then did not enjoy a clear run when mid-division at York. She is versatile ground-wise and is a strong contender, having been considered unlucky at York last time.
  • Quest For Fun, a 7-year-old, ended a long losing sequence when dead-heating for first in a large field at York (7f, good to soft) in July, despite a troubled passage. He is only 3lb higher today and is a strong contender if he can replicate that form.

5.27 Haydock: Betfair Exchange Handicap

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Gnomon (Total: 289, Odds: 5.50)
  2. Bondi (IRE) (Total: 279, Odds: 4.50)
• Assessment:
  • Gnomon, a 4-year-old, won a bumper (1m5f, good to soft) on debut last October. His second-place finishes in novice events at Lingfield (11.6f) and Kempton (1m4f) make him a plausible candidate for this handicap debut. The spotlight verdict notes that he catches the eye on his handicap debut.
  • Bondi (IRE), a 3-year-old, has won over this sort of trip at Windsor and Newmarket on good to firm ground in his other two handicaps. He runs with cheekpieces for the first time after a narrow victory in a three-runner race, and more improvement is possible from this lightly raced 3-year-old. The spotlight verdict states he is feared most.