3:15 Haydock
This Class 3 handicap over six furlongs at Haydock on soft ground brings together a field of 14 with several lightly raced types and established performers. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, led by So Darn Hot on 63, with Golden Long, Art Lover, Storm Force and Cape Ashizuri all within a narrow eight-point spread. Most of the field are unproven on soft ground, which adds an extra layer of uncertainty, while the trainers' records at the track vary markedly from strong to modest.
How the race shapes up
A strong pace is anticipated with at least two confirmed front-runners in Storm Force and Angel Gabriel, and the shape suggests the early gallop could prove testing and liable to collapse in the closing stages. This would play to the strengths of the many hold-up performers, of which there are several among the leading contenders. The key question is whether the prominent runners can get away with it on this ground or whether the race will fall into the lap of something coming from off the pace late.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1So Darn Hot KTB Selection63/100
So Darn Hot is a useful performer who has won four times over today's trip from 13 attempts and showed he handles soft ground with a win and a place from just two starts. Recent form of 067053 is mixed but the better efforts fit the level and the yard's solid 19% strike rate at Haydock adds some confidence. First run here is neutral given the high data confidence from ratings and history. Usually held up and produces its effort late, his run-style aligns well with the likely strong pace that could collapse. The trainer and jockey combination has produced a 19% strike rate at the track from 223 runners, though the jockey's own figures here are more modest. Overall the package makes him the one to beat on these terms.
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2Golden Long59/100
Golden Long is a useful performer who arrives in decent nick after two wins in the last three starts. He steps up to 6f for the first time today having won at the trip previously, though he is unproven on soft ground and makes his debut at Haydock. The trainer has only had two runners here so the sample is too small to judge. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he should be suited by the anticipated strong pace. Recent form of 531711 underlines his current wellbeing, yet the step up in class and the unknown ground and venue temper enthusiasm. The jockey has an above-average record at Haydock from 46 rides.
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3Art Lover58/100
Art Lover is a fair 3-year-old with consistent placed form this year and a win already on the books at this trip. The first-time headgear is an interesting addition after three straight minor honours, though he remains unproven on soft ground. Haggas has a strong 26% strike rate at Haydock while Fallon is operating at 18%. Usually held up, his late-run style should be favoured if the front-runners go hard early. The yard and jockey combination carries obvious appeal at this venue, and the colt's progressive profile keeps him firmly in the picture despite the ground question.
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4Storm Force57/100
Storm Force is a useful performer who has won both starts at this trip. Lightly raced with only three career runs and the recent form of 3-11 suggests he is progressing. Trainer has a 0% strike rate from 10 runs at Haydock while the going remains an unknown on such a small sample. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, he is likely to be prominent in a race where the pace is expected to be strong. The step up in class adds another layer of difficulty, yet his light profile and forward style could see him take some catching if the ground does not prove too testing.
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5Cape Ashizuri55/100
Cape Ashizuri is a useful performer who has already won twice at this trip. Recent form has been mixed with a good win at York last month followed by a disappointing run at Doncaster. Trainer's modest record at Haydock is a slight concern while the jockey has a solid strike rate here. Usually held up and producing its effort late, he is another who should relish the likely strong pace. Dropping in class should help, yet the lack of experience on soft ground remains a question mark. The yard's 20% strike rate when teaming up with this jockey offers a positive note.
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6Black Star Boy55/100
Black Star Boy is a fair performer who has won once over today's trip but was well below form when last seen over 5f. Has run just once at Haydock and once on soft ground without placing either time. Ed Walker has a solid 19% strike rate here from a big sample while Ashley Lewis is 0-9 at the track.
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7Angel Gabriel54/100
Angel Gabriel is a fair performer who arrives in decent form having won a soft-ground handicap over this trip last time. He acts on the surface, has scored twice at the distance from six attempts, and the yard and jockey both hold solid records at Haydock. Stall 13 is the main negative on a track where the far side can often prove advantageous.
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8Figjam54/100
Figjam is a fair 3 year old who has been consistent without winning since his sole 6f success last year. He drops back in trip today having looked stretched over 7f last time, while first time headgear is now tried to sharpen him up. He has run just once on soft ground and once at Haydock, both without placing, though the yard and jockey both have solid records at the track.
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9Blue Prince53/100
Blue Prince is a fair performer with a solid recent record of 317732 that includes two placed efforts on soft ground. He has won three times at this trip though he drops back from 7f today while his only previous run at Haydock produced a modest seventh. The yard operates at a 7% strike rate here from a large sample.
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10Rousing Encore52/100
Rousing Encore is a fair performer who has been largely consistent this year without winning. He has won five times at today's trip and handles soft ground, with one win and three places from seven runs on it. The trainer's modest 7% strike rate at Haydock from a big sample is a negative.
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11Zain Primus50/100
Zain Primus is a fair performer who has won two of his four starts including a 6f success on his penultimate outing. Steps back up to that trip today after a poor effort over 5f last time and is well drawn on the far side in stall 14. Trainer has a modest 0% strike rate from 49 runs at Haydock while the jockey operates at a solid 12% strike rate from 229 rides here.
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12Miraculous49/100
Miraculous is a fair performer who has won four times at this trip from 18 attempts and brings solid recent form including a win and two seconds from his last six starts. He has never run at Haydock before and has no experience of soft ground so both those factors remain untested. The yard's modest 8% strike rate from a huge sample at the track adds a note of caution.
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13Proof43/100
Proof is a fair 3-year-old who has been in and out this season and showed his best form when winning over this trip on his penultimate start. He has run just once at Haydock, finishing a respectable fourth, while both trainer Charles Hills and jockey David Probert have solid records at the track. He has twice been out of the frame on soft ground, which adds a question mark today.
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14Dandy Magic42/100
Dandy Magic is a fair performer who has been consistent this year with three wins from his last ten starts and a solid recent sequence of 443132. He has won at this trip but has looked limited on soft ground in two previous attempts. The yard has a modest 4% strike rate at Haydock while Tudhope brings a stronger 14% record at the track.
KTB verdict
So Darn Hot stands out as the KTB Selection. A useful performer with four wins at the trip and proven on soft ground, his hold-up style is perfectly suited to the expected strong pace and late collapse. The yard's record at Haydock adds confidence and his best recent efforts put him right in the mix at this level. Main dangers are likely to come from Art Lover, who brings consistent placed form and the first-time headgear, and the progressive Storm Force, who could take advantage of his forward run-style if the leaders do not go too hard. Golden Long and Cape Ashizuri are the other principals who cannot be dismissed on current form.
KTB Selection So Darn Hot
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 26 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| So Darn Hot | 9/1 | William Hill |
| Golden Long | 9/1 | Bet Victor |
| Art Lover | 10/1 | Bet365 |
| Storm Force | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| Cape Ashizuri | 25/1 | Bet365 |
| Black Star Boy | 18/1 | Bet365 |
| Angel Gabriel | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| Figjam | 20/1 | Bet Victor |
| Blue Prince | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Rousing Encore | 6/1 | Bet365 |
| Zain Primus | 18/1 | Bet365 |
| Miraculous | 7/1 | Bet Victor |
| Proof | 22/1 | Bet365 |
| Dandy Magic | 11/1 | Bet Victor |
This is the narrative read of the 3:15 Haydock. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Haydock racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Haydock results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horses are proven on soft ground?
So Darn Hot has a win and a place from two starts on soft. Angel Gabriel won a soft-ground handicap over this trip last time. Blue Prince has been placed three times from five runs on soft. Rousing Encore has a win and three places from seven runs on soft. Black Star Boy, Figjam, Proof and Dandy Magic have all run on soft without placing.
How many front-runners or prominent runners are there?
Storm Force tends to make the running or race on the pace. Angel Gabriel is a front-runner. Zain Primus usually races handily, on or close to the lead. The overall pace shape is described as strong with two or more habitual front-runners.
Which trainers have the strongest strike rates at Haydock?
William Haggas has a 26% strike rate at Haydock. Ed Walker has a 19% strike rate at Haydock. Ralph Beckett has a 17% strike rate at Haydock. The trainer and jockey record for Haggas and Fallon is 23%.
Which horses are stepping up or dropping in class?
Golden Long, Storm Force, Angel Gabriel, Blue Prince, Miraculous, Proof and Dandy Magic are all stepping up in class. Cape Ashizuri, Black Star Boy, Rousing Encore and Zain Primus are dropping in class.
Who is wearing first-time headgear?
Art Lover is wearing first-time headgear. Figjam is wearing first-time headgear.
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