Haydock - Saturday 9th May 2026
Having landed a nice pot in reapplied cheekpieces at Plumpton last month, Tranquil Sea is high on the shortlist. However, a 7lb higher mark does demand more of Dan Skelton's charge and it could be worth taking a chance on 2024 Persian War heroine FLYING FORTUNE. The seven-year-old shaped with more encouragement when a staying-on fourth over 2m4f at Perth recently and this step up in trip could unlock the necessary improvement. Recent C&D winner Serious Chat and reopposing third Lord Snootie are others of interest.
TELLHERTHENAME caught the eye when down the field on his stable bow in the County Hurdle and he looks more than capable of scoring on this ease in class. The seven-year-old had little chance off a sedate gallop in the rear that day and he may be ridden more prominently fitted in a first-time hood. Gibbs Island finished ahead of the selection in seventh and isn't taken lightly, while last month's C&D winner Dance And Glance boasts a progressive profile.
There was plenty to like about Running Happy's debut victory at Huntingdon and he looks to hold a bright future. Benjamin Macey negates most of the 7lb penalty with his 5lb claim and the four-year-old should put his experience to good use, but PLAN DE STAN is a shade more compelling. Tom Symonds' gelding has filled the runner-up spot on both outings at Hereford and compensation could be imminent. Market confidence behind Nicky Henderson-trained newcomer St Gabriel would be interesting.
BARBURY BOY benefited from stepping up in trip when making a successful handicap debut at Beverley, justifying strong market support. Alan King's gelding came clear with a filly who subsequently boosted the form with a comfortable victory at Yarmouth and the extra couple of furlongs are unlikely to be an inconvenience. Salkadan was just denied at Kempton on his latest start and commands plenty of respect along with Double Combo.
Silver State arrives in terrific form and in search of a fifth win from his last seven outings. Jack Channon's gelding reverted to turf on his penultimate start at Bath before following up under a penalty at Doncaster, but the handicapper is likely to catch up with him sooner rather than later. With that in mind, the vote goes to AERIAL SILK. The son of Bated Breath ran with promise on all three juvenile starts, including twice here in September, and a gelding operation is likely to yield further progression. Applesandpears, Mohaaraj and Harlequin Breeze complete the shortlist.
LAKE FOREST holds strong claims on his seasonal debut. Gelded since last in action, his second in the Group 1 City Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire back in August is the strongest form on offer and he can make the most of this drop in class with the Haggas yard in terrific form. Poet Master found only Myal too good at Thirsk last month, but he wasn't beaten far and can turn the tales with that outing under his belt, while Ten Bob Tony is preferred to Holguin of the remainder.
SON missed out by only a short-head when runner-up at Thirsk on his seasonal debut. Tim Easterby's new inmate looks ready to exploit last year's slide down the handicap and is taken to go one better. City Captain also finished second at the same meeting at Thirsk. He can make his presence felt off an unchanged mark, while Diamondonthehill is usually in the mix at this level and returns to the turf with a shout.
Last year's winner HARBOUR LAKE might be up to repeating 12 months on. He has fared better the last twice since having his wind done and is only 1lb higher this time around. His latest Aintree sixth in a big field reads well. There are several improvers lurking, notably last-time-out C&D scorer Serious Chat, the mare La Pinsonniere, who is going up in trip, and the Skeltons' 6yo Tranquil Sea, who won well at Plumpton last time and can go well up in grade despite a 7lb rise.
Bubble Dubi is worth considering at big odds with November's Aintree win reading quite well, but Tellherthename the GIBBS ISLAND appeal more. Both that pair were unsuited by the way the race was run in the County Hurdle but the selection shades the verdict on account of him being a former C&D winner who is only 1lb above his last win mark. Tellherthename had a hood on for the first time and it'll be a surprise if he's not winning a decent pot at some point. It could be today. The 4yo filly Made U Blush, another Skelton runner, has a very low weight and the excellent Tristan Durrell aboard so should go well.
This isn't a terribly bumper. St Gabriel is a newcomer to take seriously for Nicky Henderson but this can go to ARIBIDIA, who built on his Kempton debut effort when a good third at Warwick last time and should step forward again with his yard in form. Plan De Stan confirmed his debut level when runner-up at Hereford again latest, his first run since a wind op, and he should be in the places at least once more.
Not the strongest 3yo handicap, it can go to BARBURY BOY, who made a winning handicap debut over 10f at Beverley despite racing keenly and should have more to offer at this distance provided he settles. His dam was a 12f winner and he's the sort to end up juvenile hurdling later in 2026. Salkadan showed improved form on handicap debut at Kempton and should have more to offer on turf, while Double Combo has good connections and could improver now up in trip and tried in cheekpieces.
Delinquent got off the mark at Southwell last time and looks capable of further progress now back on turf, while similar comments apply to handicap debutant Mohaaraj, who converted a straightforward opening at Kempton last time and brings significant potential to handicaps. The selection, though, is JEDDAAL, the Ed Walker-trained 3yo having shown improved former after a gelding op to win at Catterick last time and now looking open to further improvement upped to 1m and back in a handicap.
A strong Listed race that can go to LAKE FOREST. He was last seen struggling on heavy ground in Australia but 7f on a better surface here will suit while dropping from Group 1 company into a Listed event will obviously see him in a better light also. Poet Master wasn't at his best on reappearance, being beaten in a strong conditions race at Thirsk, but his placed Group efforts to close out 2025 give him claims here and he rates the biggest danger. Ten Bob Tony is another to consider having been Group 1-placed last year and now back on home soil having returned with just an okay effort at this level in Ireland.
City Captain is coming off a good second at Thirsk and he's been holding his form well for a while now, so should again be thereabouts, but SON appeals more on his second run for Tim Easterby. Formerly a useful handicapper with Richard Hannon, he finished a good second at Thirsk on his stable debut and has been nudged up just 1lb. Ata Rangi is third choice, being a former C&D winner back on better ground and just 2lb above his last win mark.
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