Race Lights

Haydock 18:40

Race 3 Betfred 'Nifty 50' EBF Novice Stakes (7f 37y)

30th May 25

Horse
Commanding Officer
Jockey
W Buick
Trainer
C Appleby
Launching into the fray at Haydock this fine evening at 18:40 is Commanding Officer, a promising 2-year-old colt trained by none other than C Appleby. Guided by jockey W. Buick, this little lightning bolt is looking to zap his competition in the 'Race 3 Betfred 'Nifty 50' EBF Novice Stakes.' With the track condition described as good to soft-good in places over a 7f 37y distance, and a sharp short live price at 2.63, Commanding Officer should feel right at home. Despite his tender years and no previous races to call upon, the strong stats from his team — notably the trainer's cracking 45% strike rate from the last 30 days — suggest he's here to make quite the entrance. In the opposite corner is Gold Dawn, stepping into the same race with Oisin Murphy up top, training care of H Palmer. While certainly not the bookie's pet with a lengthy live price of 11, Gold Dawn still carries potential as a surprise packet. The trainer and jockey combo doesn't match Appleby and Buick's recent form, but with both having a reasonable amount of success in recent outings, they might give punters a run for their money. However, with a modest impact in training stats over recent times, Gold Dawn's backers might be hoping more for good luck than form. Adding a bit of spice to the mix is Command The Stars, another 2-year-old colt looking to make his mark. With a live price sitting at a fairly long 21, he and jockey Callum Shepherd, under the guidance of trainer George Scott, might just be the dark horses of this race. Their recent form isn't as standout as some, yet they have shown snippets of promise. The strike rates aren't as compelling here, with both jockey and trainer under the 20% mark recently, making Command the Stars an ideal candidate for those feeling a bit adventurous! The star attraction tonight at Haydock is definitely Commanding Officer. The combination of his prestigious team, a favourable live price, and the promising setup for the race all point to him being our top tip for the win. Remember folks, fortune favours the brave, but always bet responsibly!
Article prices indicative and correct at 3:19 am on 30th May 2025

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Course SR 19.57% (from last 368 races)

Course & Distance SR 18.06% (from last 72 races)

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