GB - Haydock Park - Race 2

Thoroughbred

10 Runners

Handicap

Turf

Heavy

20.5K

VIEW

Verdict

DESPERATE DAN and Empirestateofmind both make plenty of appeal given the likely conditions, with Peter Chapple-Hyam's class-dropping 5-y-o narrowly preferred. In-form Food For Thought merits plenty of respect for the Ralph Beckett yard, while On The River won this corresponding event in 2024 and should fare better back on turf.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
3	Never looked like justifying support when bidding to land a third career heavy-ground handicap at Goodwood in June. Step back in the right direction when 4¼-length fourth over C&D on return latest. Now makes plenty of appeal back down markedly in grade, with yard going well. 1st Pick 3 Desperate Dan (Ire) Jockey: Marco Ghiani Trainer: Peter Chapple-Hyam J: Marco Ghiani T: Peter Chapple-Hyam	100	-	-	-	39%
Analysis Never looked like justifying support when bidding to land a third career heavy-ground handicap at Goodwood in June. Step back in the right direction when 4¼-length fourth over C&D on return latest. Now makes plenty of appeal back down markedly in grade, with yard going well.
10	Veteran who has been making hay in soft/heavy-ground handicaps in recent weeks, recording a pair of wins and seconds, only headed late on/clear of the rest at Ayr (7f) latest. Still considerably lower in the weights than this time last year and can go well again. 2nd Pick 10 Empirestateofmind (Ire) Jockey: Jason Hart Trainer: John & Sean Quinn J: Jason Hart T: John & Sean Quinn	99	-	-	-	25%
Analysis Veteran who has been making hay in soft/heavy-ground handicaps in recent weeks, recording a pair of wins and seconds, only headed late on/clear of the rest at Ayr (7f) latest. Still considerably lower in the weights than this time last year and can go well again.
8	Capitalised on a good opportunity to get off the mark at Nottingham (1¼m) in June. Underlined a solid start in handicaps when beaten 5 lengths in Class 2 fillies handicap at York and clearly still in good nick (denied a run) at Newmarket latest. Could have a big say if handling conditions. 3rd Pick 8 Food For Thought Jockey: Hector Crouch Trainer: Ralph Beckett J: Hector Crouch T: Ralph Beckett	97	-	-	-	17%
Analysis Capitalised on a good opportunity to get off the mark at Nottingham (1¼m) in June. Underlined a solid start in handicaps when beaten 5 lengths in Class 2 fillies handicap at York and clearly still in good nick (denied a run) at Newmarket latest. Could have a big say if handling conditions.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Bleeder

A horse that bleeds due to a ruptured blood vessel during a race or workout. The medication Lasix can fix this problem.

Mare

A female horse of five years or more.

Bolt

A sudden veering to the inside or outside rail, often caused by the horse spooking or shying from something.