13:15 Haydock

Saturday 6 September 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:0716:4017:15

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 1m 37.9s

(10)

Checkandchallenge^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 107| D

40/1

Sixteen runs since last win in 2023. Looks to be going through the motions in recent times, still looking rather laboured despite refitted headgear when keeping on for third in the Pomfret Stakes and unable to land a blow in the Strensall Stakes latest.

Form: 359436

(6)

Ice Max¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 108| D

9/1

Took form to a new level when landing 4-runner Group 2 Celebration Mile in 2024. Smooth-travelling second to Persica in the Diomed in June his only effort of note this season, albeit he didn't get a chance to show what he could do in his follow-up bid at Goodwood a fortnight ago.

Form: 49-7265

(8)

Make Me King¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 111| BF| D

7/1

Beat a subsequent winner to land Group 3 at Deauville last summer and followed up with victory in a valuable event in Abu Dhabi in December. Every bit as good this term, winning a 6-runner listed race at Pontefract (1m) with a bit up his sleeve and shaped as though still in good form at Goodwood.

Form: 1-33314

(1)

Prague^t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: K Shoemark| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 109| D

11/2

Group 2 winner on soft ground last autumn (runner-up in this race prior to that). Not quite at that level in his 3 outings this season, ridden positively despite a slow start when 3½ lengths fifth of 6 to Make Me King in listed race at Pontefract in July. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 210-545

(3)

Excellent Believe²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: J Channon| OR: 99| C| D

12/1

Back-to-back novice winner in May/June and back on the up when making a successful handicap debut at Haydock (7.2f) a month ago. Return to this trip no issue but further progress required up in class.

Form: 21161

(4)

Fearnot^h¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: C G Cox| OR: 104| D

10/3

Smart and progressive sort who has built up an excellent record, making it 3 wins from 6 starts with a career best in 17-runner handicap taking on elders at Ascot (1m) despite rearing at the stalls. That form looks strong and he was better than the result at York last time. Worth a crack at this.

Form: 231318

(2)

Snow Master²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 94| D

12/1

Ardad colt. Half-brother to several winners, including useful 1m-1¼m winner Alpine Mistral and 1¼m/10.3f winner Auld Toon Loon. Dam unraced. Big-priced winner at Yarmouth (7f) last summer and belied 13-month absence when following up over 1m 3 weeks ago. This asks a different question.

Form: 1-1

(5)

Zeus Olympios³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: K R Burke| OR: 96| D

11/4

Landed the odds on debut at Kempton in January and cranked it up a couple of notches when following up 6 months later at Thirsk (1m). Manner of that success marks him out as at least useful and there should be plenty more to come. Fascinating contender.

Form: 11

(7)

Suite Francaise²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 104| CD

11/1

Narrow winner of a Newcastle maiden on sole 2-y-o start and raised her game with a smooth reappearance success in a C&D novice in May. Continued the excellent work since, landing a listed race over C&D from the front 4 weeks ago and she's well worth a go at this level.

Form: 1-131

Non-Runners

(9)

Balmacara¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: Eve Johnson Houghton J: Charles Bishop

Forecasts

Zeus Olympios (11/4), Fearnot (10/3), Prague (11/2), Make Me King (7/1), Ice Max (9/1), Suite Francaise (11/1), Excellent Believe (12/1), Snow Master (12/1), Balmacara (33/1), Checkandchallenge (40/1)

An interesting blend of proven Group performers and up-and-comers. ZEUS OLYMPIOS is very much in the latter category and while this assignment on just his third starts demands a lot more, he may well be up to the task. Make Me King and Ice Max just about set the standard on their best form.