14:35 Haydock

Saturday 25 April 2026

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 28.63s

(9)

Henlein⁴²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Jack Callan⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 105WS

40/1

Smart performer in Australia, posting his best effort when second in Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick in 2024. Below that level in Group 3 and Group 1 events on both starts in 2025 and has since left Anthony & Sam Freedman and undergone a breathing operation.

Form: 62/90-

(7)

Marshman²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Jack Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 104| BF

12/1

Usual slow starter who shaped with more encouragement than of late when third in 8-runner listed event at Wolverhampton (7.2f) in March. Failed to build on that promise in All-Weather Sprint Championships at Newcastle since but still makes appeal from this sort of mark on the pick of his form.

Form: 367-538

(10)

Cerulean Bay¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: D O'Meara| OR: 103| CD

12/1

Took his form up a couple of notches when landing back-to-back Goodwood handicaps (1m) in the autumn and quickly bounced back from a lesser effort when third of 8 in a listed event at Nottingham on final outing. Has tended to need his reappearance run, however.

Form: 221103-

(12)

Caburn^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: J Tate| OR: 100

8/1

Dual winner as a juvenile who got back on scoreboard when taking small-field handicap at Yarmouth (6f) in September. Bounced back to his best when third in Doncaster listed event (6f) on most recent outing but others look better treated stepping back up to 7f on this return to handicap company.

Form: 6001-83

(8)

Great Acclaim^b²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 98| D

6/1

Reacted really well to blinkers last summer, winning at Goodwood and Chepstow before running 3 crackers in defeat in strong handicaps at Goodwood and Ascot (all 7f). Probably needed the run when down the field in the Lincoln at Doncaster on his return and of some interest with headgear refitted.

Form: 12240-0

(4)

Khafiz^h¹⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 97| D

7/2

Twice a winner in novice company for Roger Varian last season. Has shown some quirks but got back on the up when third in 7f handicap at Doncaster on final outing in October. Sold for 85,000 gns subsequently and now sets out for a new stable very much amongst the winners.

Form: 0/11793-

(11)

Sarab Star^p1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: J Channon| OR: 97| D

9/2

Added to a good strike rate when making all in handicap at Wolverhampton (7.2f) in November. Found only a well-treated course specialist too good at Kempton and run best excused (raced wide) in All-Weather Sprint Championships at Newcastle latest. Back at 7f in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 6/121-20

(2)

Croupier¹⁰³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 96| D

40/1

Smart handicapper for the Crisfords in 2023, regaining the winning thread at York prior to an excellent second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot only start after. Acquired by new connections for 20,000 gns in May 2024 and market should point the way ahead of this belated comeback.

Form: 151012/

(5)

Cosi Bello²⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Paddy Bradley| T: C Fellowes| OR: 95| D

5/2

Built on cosy debut success when making it 2-2 in impressive fashion at Kempton (7f) in May, a performance backed up by the clock. Better form in defeat in a pair of handicaps later in the year and retains a good deal of potential after just 4 career starts.

Form: 1124-

(3)

Darkness¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Robinson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

33/1

Useful gelding who swept through from off a strong pace to resume winning ways at Goodwood (7f) in August. Failed to get near those heights at Ascot on final outing but is entitled to come on for his recent return at Thirsk.

Form: 09410-7

(6)

Korker²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: K R Burke| OR: 94| C

22/1

Winless since 2023 but was placed twice from his reduced mark in October. Left poorly placed from his high draw at Doncaster on last month's reappearance and can't be ruled out.

Form: 68320-0

(1)

The Angel King⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 93| D

33/1

Dual winner in France but was below form in minor event at Chantilly (6.5f) on most recent outing in February. First run for yard after leaving Francis-Henri Graffard for €36,000.

Form: 21301-7

Forecasts

Cosi Bello (5/2), Khafiz (7/2), Sarab Star (9/2), Great Acclaim (6/1), Caburn (8/1), Cerulean Bay (12/1), Marshman (12/1), Korker (22/1), Darkness (33/1), The Angel King (33/1), Henlein (40/1), Croupier (40/1)

COSI BELLO showed plenty in 4 runs last season and has both a pedigree and physique to suggest there should be more to come from him as a 4-y-o, so he's taken to make a successful return to action. Great Acclaim probably needed the run in the Lincoln at Doncaster and is interesting back in headgear, with Khafiz another to note setting out for a yard amongst the winners.