15:05 Haydock

Saturday 5 September 2026

All13:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 3m 13.98s

(9)

Aegean Prince³²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 99| BF

7/4

Hasn't made it to the track very often but has lots of talent, returning from 8 months off to win Ascot novice by 8 lengths last October. Off since finishing second in soft-ground Deauville listed race later that month but evidently capable fresh and open to further progress, particularly at 1¾m.

Form: 31/12-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(7)

Stressfree¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97| C

13/2

Usually reliable performer last year. Not quite as consistent this time round but recent sixth of 22 in the Ebor at York (1¾m, good to soft) was creditable and another 2 lb drop takes his mark to 5 lb lower than when third in this race last season. Not discounted.

Form: 5-27086

(3)

In The Breeze¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Ray Dawson| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 92| C

12/1

Relished the step back up to 2m when notching a second win of 2026 in 6-runner handicap at Goodwood (soft) in June. Found out in a warmer race at York 10 weeks later, though.

Form: 47-1010

(2)

Finalise²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91

10/3

Progressed well at 3 and advanced her form again when 2¼ lengths third of 7 in listed race at Hoppegarten (1¾m, good) on reappearance 4 weeks ago. Entitled to come on for that and open to further progress with few miles on the clock.

Form: 2212-3

(10)

Ashnak⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89

9/1

Useful sort who gained his win in France on heavy. Made a solid start for current yard in the first half of 2026, including second of 12 at Ayr (13f, good to soft) in June. Possibly found quick ground against him when below par at York in July. Tudhope seemingly sides with him over Stressfree.

Form: 3-83427

(12)

Pole Star^p1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: H Crouch| T: C Johnston| OR: 83| CD

14/1

Successful 3 times in 2025 and largely in good nick this season without winning, including third of 5 over 17f at Pontefract last time. Isn't sure to benefit from the return to a shorter trip. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 350953

(14)

Hermetic²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: D Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81

20/1

Won twice at up to 2m on good to soft in four starts for Christophe Ferland in France. Encouraging fourth in 3 of his 4 starts for Ian Williams. No extra late on when 1½ lengths fourth of 10 to Dancing In Paris in 2m Ascot handicap (good to firm) latest so this drop back in trip could prove ideal.

Form: 14-4644

(8)

Glen To Glen^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: S Donohoe| T: Nick Scholfield| OR: 80

18/1

Lost his way for Joseph O'Brien but made a winning start for new yard in 2½m Perth handicap chase in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month. In a much tougher race back on the Flat but he is well treated on his peak form in this sphere.

Form: 4297-09

(1)

Kissmehoneyhoney³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: S D Bowen| T: W J Haggas| OR: 79

10/1

Showed a good attitude when making a winning debut at Leicester (1¼m) last year. Not seen to best effect in Goodwood listed race on return in May before getting back on track when second of 5 in novice at Hamilton (11f) 3 months later. Likely contender on handicap bow.

Form: 1-82

(4)

Golden West²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 78

40/1

Hasn't won since going 2-2 as a juvenile but his mark reflects that and he's performed with credit to reach the frame on 3 of his 4 outings this year. First attempt at 1¾m.

Form: 78/4292

Non-Runners

(5)

Valedictory¹⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: J & T Gosden J: Non Runner

(6)

Dancing In Paris²⁸

Weight: 9-6| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: D Egan

(11)

Mountain Road¹⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 7

T: J S Goldie J: Non Runner

(13)

Synergism⁴³

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: Sir Mark Prescott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Aegean Prince (7/4), Finalise (10/3), Stressfree (13/2), Ashnak (9/1), Kissmehoneyhoney (10/1), Mountain Road (10/1), Valedictory (10/1), In The Breeze (12/1), Dancing In Paris (12/1), Pole Star (14/1), Synergism (14/1), Glen To Glen (18/1), Hermetic (20/1), Golden West (40/1)

There's a feeling at least one of the unexposed sorts will come to the fore. AEGEAN PRINCE hasn't been seen since finishing second in a French listed event at the end of last October but he romped home in an Ascot novice after a similar length of absence last year and he's preferred to Finalise and Kissmehoneyhoney, whose trainer William Haggas has won this twice in recent years. Ian Williams is also no stranger to success in this contest and his Hermetic completes the shortlist.