16:15 Haydock 05 Sep 2026
Betfair Be Friendly Handicap
Class 2 | 3YO plus
Winner £23,193 - 10 declared to run
Heavy
Draw Advantage: High
Forecast: Sunny spells
Temperature: 11.3° - 18.5°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 6.4 mph NW
Last Update: 04/09/2026 12:00
Bookies best price percentage = 115.39%
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Verdict
Mick Appleby knows the sort needed to win this and he runs Arklow Lad, winner of the 'Dash' at Epsom in June but last of 11 at Hamilton last month. He must not be written off just yet but TRILBY has won eight times, the vast majority on a softer surface, and an added 3lb for last week's success at Beverley may not stop a follow-up. Elara May and Black Star Boy could battle it out for minor money.
Expert View Verdict
Novice winner POATAN was a touch unlucky at Listed level on his reappearance and is excused his midfield effort on his handicap debut at York where he was poorly placed behind an all the way winner. He's bred to handle this softer surface and is picked to defy top weight at the expense of recent winner Toyotomi who was given too much to do last time. That rival has shown his best form on a testing surface and remains well treated on his old French efforts. Sturlasson was in good form until his last run and is another who is proven with plenty of cut in the ground. He is on a fair mark on his best form and can also make his presence felt.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 9 | Democracy Dilemma | 1 | 5 | 9 9 | 99 | 46-0576 | 70 days | R M H Cowell (191 miles) | Tom Eaves | 12/ 1 | 0:56.70 |
| 2024 | Good | 10 | Shagraan | 4 | 3 | 9 9 | 98 | 235415 | 17 days | M Appleby (116 miles) | Oisin Murphy | 9/ 4 | 0:58.28 |
| 2023 | Good | 12 | Raasel | 3 | 6 | 10 0 | 107 | 305493 | 36 days | M Appleby (116 miles) | James Doyle | 4/ 1 | 0:58.63 |
| 2022 | Good to Firm | 8 | Look Out Louis | 1 | 6 | 9 2 | 95 | 321010 | 17 days | Miss J A Camacho (107 miles) | Barry McHugh | 11/ 1 | 0:57.30 |
| 2021 | Good to Firm | 10 | Mondammej | 10 | 4 | 8 11 | 90 | 042375 | 17 days | A Brittain (50 miles) | Cam Hardie | 6/ 1 | 0:57.64 |
| 2020 | Soft | 11 | Count D'Orsay | 7 | 4 | 8 11 | 91 | 21-3090 | 39 days | T D Easterby (107 miles) | David Allan | 11/ 1 | 1:01.46 |
| 2019 | Soft | 8 | Maygold | 6 | 4 | 9 2 | 90 | 1-24135 | 20 days | E Walker (171 miles) | Liam Keniry | 4/ 1 | 1:00.82 |
| 2018 | Heavy | 6 | Intense Romance | 1 | 4 | 8 8 | 86 | 8-08022 | 7 days | M Dods (115 miles) | Franny Norton | 5/ 2 | 1:01.99 |
| 2017 | Heavy | 12 | Mayleaf Shine | 6 | 3 | 8 7 | 87 | 9-40025 | 14 days | I Jardine (152 miles) | James Sullivan | 7/ 1 | 1:01.84 |
| 2016 | Soft | 12 | Soie D'leau | 12 | 4 | 8 13 | 92 | 641755 | 14 days | Kristin Stubbs (107 miles) | Tony Hamilton | 12/ 1 | 1:00.79 |
| 2015 | Good to Soft | 15 | Maljaa | 5 | 3 | 9 4 | 98 | 21-3221 | 21 days | R Varian (191 miles) | Paul Hanagan | 5/ 1 | 1:00.55 |
| 2014 | Good | 11 | Kickboxer | 4 | 3 | 9 3 | 93 | 131406 | 21 days | M R Channon (173 miles) | Luke Morris | 10/ 1 | 1:00.15 |
| 2013 | Good to Soft | 10 | Confessional | 8 | 6 | 9 2 | 94 | 469900 | 21 days | T D Easterby (107 miles) | David Allan | 15/ 2 | 1:00.14 |
| 2012 | Firm | 14 | Cheviot | 13 | 6 | 9 7 | 100 | 03-4610 | 7 days | I Semple (221 miles) | Dane O'Neill | 28/ 1 | 0:57.84 |
| 2011 | Good to Firm | 13 | Zero Money | 1 | 5 | 9 7 | 94 | 0-00421 | 35 days | H & R Charlton (172 miles) | S Drowne | 9/ 4 | 0:58.56 |
| 2010 | Good to Firm | 12 | Confessional | 7 | 3 | 8 10 | 88 | 335220 | 16 days | T D Easterby (107 miles) | David Allan | 14/ 1 | 0:58.38 |
| 2009 | Good | 16 | Cheveton | 1 | 5 | 8 9 | 91 | 303050 | 21 days | R J Price (118 miles) | Robert Winston | 16/ 1 | 1:01.11 |
| 2007 | Good to Firm | 17 | Indian Trail | 11 | 7 | 9 7 | 102 | 378331 | 7 days | D Nicholls (111 miles) | Frankie Dettori | 3/ 1 | 1:00.62 |
| 2006 | Heavy | 13 | Cape Royal | 5 | 6 | 8 11 | 90 | 675742 | 5 days | J M Bradley (150 miles) | Jamie Spencer | 13/ 2 | 1:02.36 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4, 8 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 | 3 |
| 2020 | 8, 2 | 6 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 | 3 |
| 2016 | 11, 4 | 9 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 5f | 0:56.39 |