16:45 Haydock

Saturday 9 August 2025

All14:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Betfred 'Play Fred's 5 Million' Handicap

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 1m 30.42s

(9)

Jr Climbs^t⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: P D Evans| OR: 69

12/1

Fairly useful juvenile had finished down the field in a trio of handicap prior rediscovering some form in a first time tongue strap when fourth at Ffos Las in June. Remains well treated on 2-y-o form and has chance if he can build his most recent run.

Form: 44-0984

(5)

Thunder Earthlight²³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 68

14/1

Makes some appeal on paper and offered some promise in maiden/novice company on the all-weather without progressing, last seen finishing fifth in a 9-runner Southwell novice (6f) in December. Up in trip for turf/handicap debut and could be interesting if market speaks favourably.

Form: 465-

(1)

Tropical Heat^t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| OR: 68| D

11/10

Recaptured the form she showed as a novice when runner-up on first try over 7f at Haydock last month and improved to go one better in an 11-runner handicap at Sandown (7f) a week later, travelled well and always holding on. Should progress and makes plenty of appeal eased slightly in grade.

Form: 2-44621

(7)

Latynina¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 68| D

4/1

Well-bred filly made a promising debut prior to being turned over twice at short-odds. Off the mark when making the most of a good opportunity in a 7f Chester maiden last month but didn't benefit from the step up to 1m when too keen on handicap debut at Redcar. Interesting down in trip and grade.

Form: 42214

(4)

Renewable Dream^h1¹¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Gianluca Sanna⁽⁵⁾| T: S Spencer| OR: 68

16/1

Steady progression in a trio of starts so far, possibly needing the run after 4 months off when fifth of 15 in a maiden at Thirsk (7f, good) in April. That form has substance and he appeals as the type to do better now handicapping in a first time hood.

Form: 63-5

(11)

Lord Capulet¹⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 66

16/1

Had been shaping as if the drop in trip would suit but failed to justify support when fourth at Newcastle (6f) on final qualifying run and ran poorly on handicap debut at this course (6f) in April. Has been gelded in the interim and interesting to see if market hints at improvement back over 7f.

Form: 5-240

(10)

Line Of Force^b1¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 65

20/1

3-time winner for Karl Burke last year and despite hinting at a revival on second start for new connections, he proved a disappointment on both starts last month. Has fallen to a handy mark if first time cheekpieces have the desired effect.

Form: 970807

(2)

Off Spin¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Garritty| T: T D Easterby| OR: 65

16/1

Fair form in maidens but yet to improve for handicaps, turning in his worst display when well beaten at Redcar (10f) last month, tiring in a manner that suggested the longer trip was beyond him though looked beaten before stamina became an issue. Bit to prove dropping back down in distance.

Form: 355-590

(6)

Cooramook⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: T E Whelan| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 61

12/1

Promising start to life in handicaps when runner-up behind a fairly useful subsequent winner at Yarmouth (6f) in April but hasn't kicked on despite being prominent in the betting on subsequent starts (showed awkward headcarriage at Leicester). Has been given a break and a chance by the handicapper.

Form: 5-32660

(8)

Volendam^h⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 59

18/1

Runner-up in a pair of all-weather maidens prior to finishing third on handicap/turf debut at this course (6f) in May, well held by front pair. Again below form upped in trip at Carlisle (6.9f) in June, finishing ninth of 10. Questions to answer now returning from a break.

Form: 5-2239

(3)

Melissa Honey¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: M Herrington| OR: 59

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden who wasn't seen to best effect on return at Redcar and duly improved on second start of the season when fourth in a 6f handicap at Leicester last month, shaping as though the step back up to 7f will suit. Will need to step forward again in a warmer race.

Form: 8389-74

(12)

Flamborough Head^b²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 56

66/1

Has been fairly busy since winning a 7f handicap at Redcar in April but hasn't been in anything like the same form of late, not fully settling in first time blinkers (retained) when a well held fourth returning to Redcar (1m) 20 days ago. Is coming back down the weights but this looks competitive.

Form: 273564

Non-Runners

(13)

The Sweet Escape¹⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: D Loughnane J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Tropical Heat (11/10), Latynina (4/1), Jr Climbs (12/1), Cooramook (12/1), Thunder Earthlight (14/1), Melissa Honey (16/1), Off Spin (16/1), Lord Capulet (16/1), Renewable Dream (16/1), The Sweet Escape (16/1), Volendam (18/1), Line Of Force (20/1), Flamborough Head (66/1)

A valuable race for the grade that has attracted some interesting types. After a slow start in handicaps, TROPICAL HEAT showed improved form to get off the mark at Sandown last month and she makes plenty of appeal in her bid to follow up. Latynina hasn't lived up to her pedigree but could be worth another chance having been too keen over 1m on handicap debut while Renewable Dream has some solid maiden form and may improve now handicapping.