Haydock

Today, September 5, 2026FlatClass 36f

Verdict

BRIGHTON BOY has an impressive record under these sort of conditions and he gets the vote in an open-looking handicap. The David O'Meara pair both make appeal from falling marks with Darkness preferred of the 2, while Star Anthem could prove well treated if back on song.

Brighton Boy
Darkness
Star Anthem

Win or Each Way

Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places

9. Rhoscolyn
J: Daniel TudhopeT: David O'Meara
F: 50050082
Price History:
4.50
Age:
8
Weight:
9-6
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
5
Verdict
C&D winner whose latest success came in last year's Golden Mile. Ran one of this season's better races when 1¾-length second of 8 in this grade at Epsom (7f) 5 days ago. He's again turned out quickly and looks interesting off 2 lb lower with conditions in his favour (yard also saddle Darkness).
4. Ata Rangi
J: Tom MarquandT: Ed Walker
F: 21755-148
Price History:
5.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
87
Days Since Last Run:
42
Verdict
Won this corresponding race 12 months ago. Has remained in form since winning on reappearance over C&D (2-2) in May, doing all he could when finishing mid-field in the International at Ascot (good to firm) last time. Softer conditions no issue and entitled to make more impact back in calmer waters.
1. Brian
J: David EganT: J. S. Moore
F: 5297-0872
Price History:
7.00
Age:
4
Weight:
10-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
86
Verdict
Dual winner for Sylvester Kirk in 2024. Has plenty of form in soft conditions and ran his best race of this year when 3 lengths second to an unexposed one at Newbury (7f, good to soft) in mid-June. Should be in the mix off an unchanged mark.
8. Brighton Boy
J: Jake DicksonT: Tim Easterby
F: 01260603
Price History:
8.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
83
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Returned to his best when opening his account for current yard in this grade at Thirsk (7f) in May, seeing off Sergeant Wilko. Back to form when close third at Chester (6f, good) last time. Has an impressive win rate when the going is on the soft side, and he may well enhance that back up in trip.
10. Montezin
J: Harry RussellT: Antony Brittain
F: 21-044851
Price History:
9.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-2
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
78
Days Since Last Run:
29
Verdict
Low-mileage 4-y-o. Readily opened his account in handicaps over C&D last time, value for more than ½-length winning margin over a hat-seeker. He's back up 5 lb in a stronger race here, though, with softer ground an unknown.
3. Korker
J: Clifford LeeT: K. R. Burke
F: 20-080648
Price History:
12.00
Age:
7
Weight:
9-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
87
Days Since Last Run:
34
Verdict
Ground-versatile course winner who finished fourth in much better company at Newcastle on penultimate start. Underlined he isn't one for maximum faith (hasn't won since 2023) when running a lesser race at Chester subsequently. Clifford Lee takes over for this significant drop in grade.
2. Star Anthem
J: Hector CrouchT: Clive Cox
F: 3/79308-00
Price History:
21.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
89
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Sole success came as a juvenile in Bath maiden (heavy) in 2024. Hasn't recaptured his useful best in a couple of starts (3 months apart) in better company this season, though may have needed the run on both occasions. Attractively handicapped if back on song.
7. Darkness
J: Mark WinnT: David O'Meara
F: 0-7600066
Price History:
11.00
Age:
8
Weight:
9-9
Gear:
visor
Official Rating:
85
Days Since Last Run:
7
Verdict
Won useful handicap at Goodwood last summer and only beaten 2 lengths in stronger C&D event this spring. Ran well off a slipping mark when sixth in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood before not being seen to best effect last time. Interesting down in grade in a race that should be run to suit.
6. Sergeant Wilko
J: P. J. McDonaldT: Kevin Ryan
F: 060-46828
Price History:
11.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-10
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
86
Days Since Last Run:
70
Verdict
Forward-going type who nearly snapped a long losing run with a borderline useful effort on first crack at this trip at Thirsk in May. No easy task when bidding to make all in better company at Newcastle subsequently and has conditions in his favour on return from a 10-week break.
12. King Of Thunder
J: Joe LeavyT: Hugo Palmer
F: 4601-6
Price History:
15.00
Age:
3
Weight:
8-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
78
Days Since Last Run:
121
Verdict
Improved following a gelding operation when making a successful nursery debut over C&D (good to soft) last October. Built on that when beaten 2¼ lengths at Chester on return in May, however, will need another chunk of improvement following a further 4 months off. Engaged 5.25 Ascot Friday.
11. Wreck It Ryley
J: Ray DawsonT: Alan Brown
F: 48389637
Price History:
21.00
Age:
6
Weight:
9-0
Gear:
blinkers
Official Rating:
76
Days Since Last Run:
15
Verdict
Does have some back form over 7f on soft ground. Looks potentially well treated on his close third to a couple of next-time-out winners at Glorious Goodwood (6f), provided a change of headgear does the trick following a below-par run at Hamilton (6f) last time.
Unnamed Favourite
Unnamed 2nd Favourite

Non-Runners

5. Cape Ashizuri
J: Marco GhianiT: John & Sean Quinn
F: 152-104
Price History:
11.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Lightly-raced 3-y-o who doubled his tally in a 3-y-o handicap at Pontefract on reappearance. Shaped as if back in form when 5½ lengths fourth of 9 at Ascot (6f) latest. Will need to improve for the longer trip (ought to stay) now pitched against his elders.

Haydock

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