16:05 Haydock

Saturday 23 May 2026

All13:4514:2014:5815:3016:0516:4017:15

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

4YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 46y | 12 Runners | Turf

(3)

Prydwen¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: George Scott| OR: 103| C| D

5/1

Did well to notch an eleventh career win over a shorter-than-ideal trip at Ripon and having not been disgraced when fifth in a German Group 2 at Hoppegarten (2m) last time, he makes some appeal back in a handicap with Oisin Murphy taking over.

Form: 9-68215

(6)

Yashin^h1,b,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Ross Coakley| T: M L W Bell| OR: 99| D

22/1

Hasn't kicked on from last year's Sagaro win and despite a good record fresh, he didn't run much of a race on seasonal reappearance at Newmarket. Hardly a sign of confidence that blinkers/hood are fitted, either.

Form: 17606-0

(1)

Tashkhan⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: B Ellison| OR: 98| C

22/1

Course winner back in 2021 but it's hard to be confident given he's only tasted success once on the Flat since, for all he arrives on the back of a creditable first season over hurdles.

Form: 0/66070-

(8)

Blazeon Five³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 92| D

8/1

Followed up Ascot/Nottingham wins with a career-best success to land the hat-trick at Southwell in December and while back on track when second of 6 at Newbury last time, that form is unlikely to be good enough here.

Form: 4111-62

(4)

Pole Star^v²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 89| C

10/3

Solid form when successful 3 times last season and stepped forward from his reappearance when third (in a first-time visor) at Newmarket (1¾m). Has always shaped as though 2m will be his trip and returns to slightly calmer waters.

Form: 1650-43

(11)

Almuhit^t,p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: S M Levey| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 85| C| D

14/1

Enjoyed a fine 2025, winning twice at Newbury before holding his own in competitive staying handicaps at Ascot/York, and merits serious consideration on the back of a fine fourth in a 24-runner handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

Form: 11239-6

(9)

Zinc White²⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: Laura Pearson| T: G Hanmer| OR: 83

12/1

3-time winner in testing conditions earlier in his career but has clearly had problems, having been amiss on final start for Ian Williams in August last year.

Form: 100/530-

(2)

Premiere Ligne^t⁵⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: Tyler Heard| T: H Morrison| OR: 82

14/1

Had been shaping up well in staying handicaps in 2024 but finished down the field in the Cesarewitch when last seen in October of that year and a 19-month absence is naturally a concern.

Form: 122220/

(10)

Venezuelan^p1²²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: S Hitchcott| T: G Hanmer| OR: 82| BF

11/2

Won a thin Lingfield maiden prior to finishing second in consecutive 1½m handicaps at Newmarket/Wolverhampton. Subsequently sold from the Ralph Beckett yard for 90,000 gns, and while worth a go over staying trips, this represents a step up in grade. Cheekpieces replace visor for stable debut.

Form: 234122-

(7)

Hermetic¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| D

8/1

Physically-imposing type who was progressive when winning twice (including over 2m) from 4 starts for Christophe Ferland, and having joined a capable new yard for €105,000, he finished an encouraging fourth in a competitive 1½m York handicap on return. Looks very interesting back up in trip.

Form: 5114-4

(5)

Ouro Preto⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Aiden Brookes| T: I Jardine| OR: 79

20/1

A 3-time winner for M. Delzangles, he finished well held on stable debut/reappearance at Hamilton (11f) last week, and hopes are seemingly pinned on a significant step up in trip.

Form: 36610-7

(12)

Humble Spark^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Lauren Young⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 78| BF

5/1

Hold-up type who finished second in a modestly-run renewal of this race 12 months ago and he's looked as good as ever with consecutive runner-up finishes at Hamilton this month. More likely to get a good pace in a bigger field here and makes plenty of appeal off a handy mark.

Form: 554422

Forecasts

Pole Star (4/1), Humble Spark (5/1), Prydwen (11/2), Venezuelan (13/2), Blazeon Five (8/1), Hermetic (8/1), Zinc White (10/1), Premiere Ligne (12/1), Almuhit (14/1), Ouro Preto (16/1), Yashin (25/1), Tashkhan (25/1)

Expensive French recruit HERMETIC is very much unexposed as a stayer and is taken to notch a third career win from only 6 starts. Humble Spark is 6 lb lower than when runner-up in this race 12 months ago and may get a stronger pace to aim at this time, with Almuhit expected to be firmly in the mix, just as he was in similar handicaps last year.