The Old Newton Cup is the feature race on Haydock’s excellent seven-race Saturday card and, as always, the handicap has drawn in a stellar line-up. Check out our runner-by-runner guide to the contest below, alongside bet365’s latest offer where new customers can claim £50 In Free Bets when they bet £10.
bet365 Old Newton Cup Handicap (1m4f, Class 2, 3:15 pm Saturday)
1. FANCY MAN (Richard Hannon, Pat Dobbs) 20/1
Form figures here read 112, a Listed victory over Alenquer (runs in the Coral-Eclipse) followed by a Group 3 second last summer. Not seen since finishing fifth (6/4F) in Listed company at Kempton in March, but he has won fresh previously and stays this far. This is a hefty burden to carry on handicap debut, however, and his last three wins have all come in field sizes of six or less.
2. BRENTFORD HOPE (Richard Hughes, Deon Le Roux) 11/1
Classy sort whose form figures in handicaps currently read 311, one of those victories coming in a mile handicap at this venue. Twice placed in Group races in Europe last season, and he is entitled to come on for a seasonal reappearance Goodwood fifth. This softer ground will suit, and when factoring in his rider’s claim he’s back down to his last winning mark, but whether he truly stays this far (trainer reported him to be a non-stayer on his last run over the trip) remains up for debate.
3. GET SHIRTY (David O’Meara, Daniel Tudhope) 9/1
Group placed in France for previous connections, and although he didn’t trouble the judge in three starts for this yard last season, his form figures since returning from a break read an impressive 1211; climbing a stone in the handicap in the process. The latest victory came at Royal Ascot where he claimed the scalp of the highly-rated Cleveland. Handles soft ground and his proven stamina could come into play here, so no forlorn hope for all that this new mark requires a career-best.
4. RAYMOND TUSK (Alan King, Martin Harley) 25/1
Gained his fifth win, and his first since 2019, when landing a conditions race at Doncaster in March, and he backed that run up with a second in the Group 3 John Porter at Newbury. Bounced back from a poor Newmarket run when seventh in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot last month, but that was his eighth run in a handicap, and he’s still yet to win one.
5. GAASSEE (William Haggas, Cieren Fallon) 11/8
From a family that the stable knows well; trained two half-brothers (both winners), and since a Lingfield novice debut third he’s unbeaten in four starts, justifying favouritism on each occasion including in the Jorvik Handicap at York last time out. Trainer claimed he “wasn’t as impressive as I’d hoped” there, and entries in the Princess Of Wales’s and Irish St. Leger suggest he shows plenty at home. Up 7lb but he’ll appreciate this softer ground and his stable are flying; one to beat.
6. MORANDO (Andrew Balding, Neil Callan) 22/1
9yo who’s done well for connections down the years. Remarkably making his first handicap start since 2016 when a 12l sixth at Goodwood last time. That was his seasonal return, so he can strip fitter here, whilst both the return of cheekpieces and softer surface also look to his advantage. The same owner/trainer combination took this prize 12 months ago, but 1m4f looks the bare minimum for this lad nowadays and he hasn’t got his head in front since October 2019.
7. TRAWLERMAN (John & Thady Gosden, NON-RUNNER)
NON-RUNNER
8. ON TO VICTORY (Alan King, Jim Crowley) 22/1
Has big-field middle-distance-winning handicap form to his name courtesy of a victory in the 2020 November Handicap, but his two wins from 14 subsequent runs have both come over hurdles (0-6 on the level). Finished 8l behind Gaassee in a York handicap latest, and although he’s now dropped below his last winning mark for the first time, others look more likely winners.
9. INCHICORE (Alan King, Rossa Ryan) 16/1
Mare who finished third in Listed company in France back in November. Promising return when third at Newbury in April, and she built on that to score at Goodwood last time; Secret Shadow third. Handles testing ground well so chances would certainly be enhanced if this surface deteriorated significantly, but 1m4f looks on the sharp side for her.
10. SOMETHING ENTICING (Andrew Balding, David Probert) 12/1
Very progressive filly for David Elsworth last year, starting off in handicaps on a mark of 67 and ending the year with a Doncaster Listed second. The same owner but switched to Andrew Balding after her previous trainer’s retirement and she built on a stable/seasonal debut seventh when runner-up in Listed company at Goodwood last time. Back in handicap company here and although she’s 15lb above her last winning mark she has untapped potential over this 1m4f trip.
11. IT’S GOOD TO LAUGH (Jennie Candlish, Harry Davies) 12/1
Has proven an excellent pickup by connections winning five times; twice on the level, three times over hurdles. No better than fifth in three starts back on the level, but his first run came in a very strong renewal of the Chester Cup and he’s had excuses in both subsequent runs; raced too freely and then denied a clear run. Has now slipped to a mark just 2lb above his last winning one and Harry Davies claims an excellent 5lb, so he’s dangerous to discount.
12. TORCELLO (Shaun Lycett, Jason Hart) 40/1
Eight-time Flat winner, his most recent success coming at Goodwood in October at odds of 28/1. Outran his 80/1 odds when sixth in the Chester Cup on seasonal debut, a race which has worked out well. He’s far from the most consistent sort, however, so far from certain to come on for that showing, and his form figures off handicap marks in the 90s currently read 90300006.
Haydock Park Racecourse
Newton-le-Willows
Merseyside
WA12 0HQ
United Kingdom
Haydock Racecourse
Haydock Park is one of the finest racecourses in the country and the premier year-round track in the North. On the Flat, the highlight is the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup in early September whereas the National Hunt season features the valuable Grand National Trial, formerly the ‘Red Square Vodka’ Gold Cup in February and a host of other top-class three mile chases. Both courses suit the long-striding, galloping individuals, particularly when the ground rides on the soft side, which is often the case.
13. ENFRANCHISE (Charlie & Mark Johnston, Andrew Breslin) 16/1
Has generally held her form this year (Chester eighth the exception) and she found a bit of improvement to score at Pontefract last time out. Only raised 3lb for that showing which looks workable and her regular jockey Andrew Breslin keeps the ride, but this does represent a step up in class and it’s a concern that her Chester disappointment came on her only start on ground softer than good.
14. LIVERPOOL KNIGHT (Kevin Philippart De Foy, Ray Dawson) 17/2
Gained wins for both the Gosden’s and Alan King and he made a winning seasonal/stable debut at Windsor last month, which was also his first win on turf. Up 6lb, and this is a hefty jump in class, but he should have more to offer for this yard, so is one that enters calculations.
15. LOVE IS GOLDEN (Charlie & Mark Johnston, John Egan) 40/1
Just 2-19 since sent handicapping and both of those wins have come at Chester. Remains 2lb above his last winning mark despite currently being on a losing run of 13 and he’s been a beaten favourite in Class 4 company the last twice. Handles cut in the ground and his stable has a good recent record in this event, but he needs the addition of first-time cheekpieces to bring about a huge improvement.
16. RAVENSCRAIG CASTLE (Iain Jardine, Andrew Mullen) 22/1
Winner of his first two handicap starts last season and actually bettered those showings in defeat when a close third in the Melrose at York in August. Solid seasonal reappearance third at Ripon is form which has worked out well; Get Shirty second, but whether he wants a trip this short or ground this soft is a concern and he’s still 13lb above his last winning mark.
17. SECRET SHADOW (Andrew Balding, Hayley Turner) 12/1
Came good at the end of last season, winning three of her last four starts in 2021 all of those victories coming on going officially described as soft or worse. Arguably travelled best through the race when a close third to Inchicore at Goodwood on seasonal debut, and whilst she’s entitled to strip fitter for that the expected slower surface also looks in her favour. Less exposed than most and Hayley Turner is once again aboard, so she’s one for the shortlist.
18. VINDOLANDA (Charlie Hills, Luke Morris) 28/1
Twice a winner here, but she was beaten almost 25l into ninth on her last visit to the track. Promising seasonal debut when fourth at Goodwood in May, but although she’s been dropped a pound since then she still remains 4lb above her last winning mark. Soft ground suits but her last three wins have all come over 1m6f and she’s not won over this trip since September 2019.
Old Newton Cup Verdict
Andrew Balding took this prize last year and all three of his hopefuls in 2022 hold claims, with Something Enticing perhaps most interesting with David Probert aboard and this trip still capable of unlocking improvement. Even so, however, GAASSEE looks very tough to beat here. William Haggas’s colt has won all four starts since debut, pulling clear for a length success at York last time after which his trainer suggested he was hoping for a more impressive victory. Entries in the likes of the Irish St. Leger later this season suggest that he shows plenty at home and he’ll have no problem back on this slower surface. His yard is flying at present and he can provide them with yet another winner, possibly at the expense of It’s Good To Laugh, who has a top claimer in the saddle and shapes like a horse with a big handicap in him at some stage.
- GAASSEE
- It’s Good To Laugh
- Something Enticing
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Bet £10 and Get £30 in Free Bets
See reviews Join today18+ only. New customers only. T&Cs Apply. gambleaware.org
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.