Haydock; This analysis focuses exclusively on the Haydock races scheduled for Saturday, 27th September 2025, presented in chronological order, using the TimeWise Master (TWM) ratings for assessment.Haydock;

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2.05 Haydock: Ambassador Cruise Line Handicap

RankHorse (Age, Weight)TWM TotalOdds
1Woolhampton (5yo, 9-8)3444.00
2Vintage Clarets (6yo, 9-8)3286.50

Recent Form and Comments:

  • Woolhampton (TWM #1): This mare has achieved eight wins, including successes at Sandown (5f, soft) and Ascot (5f, good). She scored her third win in succession last time out, taking a Cork handicap. However, she meets a key rival, All Ways Glamorous, on 4lb worse terms following her recent win at Ascot three weeks ago.
  • Vintage Clarets (TWM #2): At six years old, he is nearly as good as ever. He won at the Shergar Cup (5f, good to firm) in August and followed up with a close second under Ethan Tindall at Southwell on Sunday. He is effective on soft or heavy ground.

Spotlight Verdict:
The most appealing profile belongs to ALL WAYS GLAMOROUS (nap) who keeps progressing and was nailed only late on at Ascot three weeks ago. He meets the winner that day, Woolhampton, on 4lb better terms and is fancied to turn the tables. Last year’s winner Blue Storm is dangerous off just 1lb higher, as is C&D winner Duran.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 3yo 3-3-20, 4yo+ 6-17-96.
  • Fate of Favourites (last 9 races): 116111044.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Gemma Tutty 1-0-1, Iain Jardine 1-0-4, Richard Fahey 1-1-9, Julie Camacho 0-1-1, Paul Midgley 0-4-9, Rod Millman 0-1-1, Tim Easterby 0-5-17.

Assessment of Top Two:

  • Woolhampton (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Top TWM rating and prolific winner (8 career wins). Proven over 5f on varying ground.
    • Weaknesses: Handicap mark reflects her winning run, facing a 4lb swing against a recent runner-up.
    • Suitability: Highly suitable if she maintains her winning streak, handles soft ground.
  • Vintage Clarets (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Consistent recent form (close second last time) and is ground-versatile. Races off the same mark as his latest run.
    • Weaknesses: Needs to return to winning ways against strong competition.
    • Suitability: Expected to be in the thick of things due to consistency and versatility.

2.40 Haydock: Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap

RankHorse (Age, Weight)TWM TotalOdds
1Realign (3yo, 9-9)3277.00
2Woven (9yo, 9-9p)3084.50

Recent Form and Comments:

  • Realign (TWM #1): Had strong form in defeat as a 2yo. He bolted up in a weak race at Salisbury in May, but subsequently produced lesser efforts in hot handicaps at Royal Ascot and Newmarket. He has been gelded during an 11-week absence, and a 5lb drop in weights aids his cause.
  • Woven (TWM #2): This veteran (9yo) showed he retains a chunk of ability when flashing home for second in the Ayr Bronze Cup eight days ago (6f, soft). He won this race 12 months ago off 1lb lower. The 3lb rise for his clear run in his group at Ayr is considered fair.

Spotlight Verdict:
Last year’s winner Woven has to be high on the list after his fine run in last week’s Ayr Bronze Cup. Lightly raced 3yos Uncle Don and Realign still have time to deliver an improved showing. This year hasn’t gone quite to plan for TRILBY but he shaped as though he was ready to exploit his reduced mark at Doncaster 13 days ago. His course record stacks up well and he is tipped to go one better than in this race in 2024.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 3yo 4-8-32, 4yo+ 5-11-84.
  • Fate of Favourites (last 9 races): 221022202.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Michael Dods 2-1-4, Clive Cox 1-0-2, Kevin Ryan 1-0-1, Richard Fahey 0-1-7, Richard Hannon 0-2-4, Sam England 0-1-1, William Haggas 0-1-1.

Assessment of Top Two:

  • Realign (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Top TWM rating. Now gelded and drops into a winnable grade off a 5lb reduced mark. Highly regarded 3yo.
    • Weaknesses: Needs to return to his best form after an 11-week layoff and some prior lesser runs.
    • Suitability: Dangerous mark and connections suggest promise remains.
  • Woven (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Proven winner of this specific race (12 months ago). Excellent recent form on soft ground.
    • Weaknesses: Drying ground may suit his rivals more.
    • Suitability: High on the list due to course/race history and current form.

3.15 Haydock: Oddschecker Handicap

RankHorse (Age, Weight)TWM TotalOdds
1Midnight Gun (4yo, 10-0)3295.00
2El Matador (3yo, 9-0)3257.50

Recent Form and Comments:

  • Midnight Gun (TWM #1): Has not been seen since running a fine sixth in the Lincoln on his seasonal reappearance. He is returning as a fresh horse for the autumn.
  • El Matador (TWM #2): No specific recent form details are provided beyond his TWM ranking, but he is highlighted as one of the horses with claims in this competitive race.

Spotlight Verdict:
First Ambition lacks experience for a race of this nature and is taken on with MIDNIGHT GUN, a fine sixth in the Lincoln on his reappearance and a fresh horse for the autumn having not been seen since. Fondo Blanco, Tilted Kilt and El Matador are others with claims in this competitive race.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 3yo 7-4-30, 4yo+ 2-13-58.
  • Fate of Favourites (last 9 races): 252611000.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Richard Hannon 1-0-1, Roger Varian 0-1-3.

Assessment of Top Two:

  • Midnight Gun (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Top TWM rating and proven quality in a major handicap (the Lincoln). Represents a potent threat fresh.
    • Weaknesses: Absence since the spring means fitness/current form must be taken on trust.
    • Suitability: Expected to be a primary contender if performing up to his reappearance standard.
  • El Matador (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: High rating suggests significant ability. Receives weight for age allowance as a 3yo.
    • Weaknesses: Lack of specific commentary detailing recent winning form or high-class placing.
    • Suitability: Listed among those with claims.

3.50 Haydock: J&P Civil Engineering British EBF Maiden Stakes

RankHorse (Age, Weight)TWM TotalOdds
1Lost Boys (2yo, 9-2)2664.50
2Edwin Hubble (2yo, 9-2)2379.00

Recent Form and Comments:

  • Lost Boys (TWM #1): Ran well (okay) when third of seven on debut at Newbury (1m, good) last month. Built on that by finishing a close third of five at Ascot (1m, soft) three weeks ago. This form has been notably boosted by the runner-up winning subsequently.
  • Edwin Hubble (TWM #2): Has demonstrated ability across two starts (7f, good to firm/good to soft). His pedigree offers hope for improvement now stepping up in trip. He needs a considerable step forward as he has yet to truly threaten.

Spotlight Verdict:
Ran okay when third of seven on debut at Newbury (1m, good) last month and built on that with close third of five at Ascot (1m, soft) three weeks ago, form that has been franked by the runner-up; leading claims today. (This text refers specifically to LOST BOYS).

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 2yo colts & geldings.
  • Fate of Favourites: Not explicitly provided.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Hugo Palmer 1-0-1 (for previous winners of this type of race).

Assessment of Top Two:

  • Lost Boys (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Highly consistent, progressive form over 1m on varying ground. Form lines have been boosted.
    • Weaknesses: Has not secured a win yet.
    • Suitability: Possesses the leading claims among those with previous experience.
  • Edwin Hubble (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Bred to be better at this 1m distance.
    • Weaknesses: Performance so far suggests a big step up is required to compete for the win.
    • Suitability: Needs to translate potential to performance on the track.

4.25 Haydock: Jera British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (GBB Race)

RankHorse (Age, Weight)TWM TotalOdds
1Nada Two (2yo, 9-2)2878-11
2Morven (2yo, 9-2)26111-2

Recent Form and Comments:

  • Nada Two (TWM #1): This 775,000gns daughter of Night Of Thunder was unable to justify short odds on her 1m Thirsk debut but she showed promise in second place. She is seemingly well regarded by her top stable.
  • Morven (TWM #2): On her 1m Salisbury debut (heavy) 15 days ago, she made late headway for third place, beaten 10.5l, and did not achieve a great deal. However, she is expected to improve following that experience.

Spotlight Verdict:
These four once-raced fillies are all open to improvement. NADA TWO achieved the most of the quartet when second at Thirsk and can go one better now. Rossa Raheen may follow her home.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 2yo fillies.
  • Fate of Favourites (last 7 races): 5216152.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Ed Walker 0-1-2, Ralph Beckett 0-2-3.

Assessment of Top Two:

  • Nada Two (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: High TWM rating, valuable bloodline, showed clear ability finishing second on debut. Tipped to go one better.
    • Weaknesses: Failed to land short odds when debuting.
    • Suitability: Expected winner based on form achieved so far.
  • Morven (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Likely to benefit greatly from her debut experience, especially given the heavy ground conditions that day.
    • Weaknesses: Was soundly beaten (10.5l) in third on debut.
    • Suitability: Needs significant progression, but improvement is expected.

5.00 Haydock: Coterie Vaults Nursery

RankHorse (Age, Weight)TWM TotalOdds
1Wonderful Friend (2yo, 9-7)2547.00
2Jungle Knight (2yo, 8-12t)20412-1

(Note: These are the top two TWM rated horses explicitly provided in the truncated list for this race.)

Recent Form and Comments:

  • Wonderful Friend (TWM #1): Was runner-up in maiden/novice events over 5f/6f this summer. She finished a respectable fourth of nine in a 6f Chester novice last time. She makes her nursery debut stepping up to 7f.
  • Jungle Knight (TWM #2): His best career effort was achieved when running fifth (beaten just under 3l) on his C&D nursery debut 23 days ago. He needs to step up on that performance if he is to win, despite dropping 1lb.

Spotlight Verdict:
The fact that REAL MAN went off at a short price on his nursery debut suggests that he’s thought to be well handicapped by a leading yard that won this race last year. Land Of Liberty (second choice) chased home a next-time-out winner in a 12-runner race on her nursery debut and should go well. Lyrical Song can also figure.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 2yo.
  • Fate of Favourites (last 3 races): 340.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): K R Burke 1-0-1 (for previous winners of this race).

Assessment of Top Two (Based on available TWM data):

  • Wonderful Friend (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Consistent placed form in novice company, making her nursery debut off a workable mark.
    • Weaknesses: Step up to 7f is untried in race conditions.
    • Suitability: Potential to progress, likely distance suited by pedigree.
  • Jungle Knight (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Already has C&D nursery experience. Jockey Silvestre De Sousa has a 2-5 record for the stable.
    • Weaknesses: Needs a significant step-up in performance level despite a 1lb weight drop.
    • Suitability: Has shown ability at this level and distance.

5.35 Haydock: Lay And Wheeler Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

RankHorse (Age, Weight)TWM TotalOdds
1Contacto (4yo, 10-0)29011.00
2Steel Tiger (4yo, 10-2)2894.00

Recent Form and Comments:

  • Contacto (TWM #1): Was progressive last season. Has not maintained the same form during a light 2025 campaign, but his latest effort was in the tough Old Borough Cup. This Class 4 race represents an easier assignment.
  • Steel Tiger (TWM #2): He bounced back to form in this grade at Windsor (11.5f, soft) last time out. He is 1-1 over this distance (1m6f) on the All Weather and shaped as though the step up in trip back to 1m6f will suit.

Spotlight Verdict:
Carlisle maiden winner THOSEWERETHEDAYS looks a likely stayer in the making and could well follow up with further improvement on the cards. Fellow handicap debutant Ashdown Forest (second choice) receives plenty of weight all round and looks interesting. Steel Tiger warrants respect back over 1m6f and Contacto has possibilities back down in class.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 3yo 2-0-3, 4yo+ 0-2-10.
  • Fate of Favourites (last 2 races): 45.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Not provided explicitly.

Assessment of Top Two:

  • Contacto (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Highest TWM rated horse, capable of better form than recent outings suggest, returning to an easier class.
    • Weaknesses: 2025 campaign has been relatively disappointing.
    • Suitability: Expected to be competitive now dropping in class.
  • Steel Tiger (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Recent form is encouraging, and he has a perfect record (1-1) at the 1m6f distance. Shaped as if the distance step up is ideal.
    • Weaknesses: Carries one of the highest weights (10-2).
    • Suitability: Strong contender based on recent performance and preference for the trip.

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