16:25 Haydock

Friday 18 July 2025

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Truly Independent 15th Year Gallop Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 3m 8.91s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Russian Crescendo⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: W J Haggas| OR: 84| BF

4/1

Too green to do herself justice on belated debut last July and following a short break, improved when winning 1½m novice events at Kempton and Ascot. Looked rusty on return/handicap bow at Southwell and lightly-raced mare is worth another chance returning from a break.

Form: 411-7

(3)

Beauld As Brass⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 83

18/1

Temperamental individual (often starts slowly) had been in fine form (four-time winner this season) but was even slower away than usual when below form twelfth of 14 in handicap at Epsom (12f, good to soft, 50/1) 41 days ago. Remains a risky proposition.

Form: 111130

(6)

Pique'^h⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jack Doughty| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 83| D

4/1

Gradually progressive as a 3-y-o (career best when winning on heavy ground at Nottingham over this trip on final start last season). Yet to fire this season, last of 10 in handicap at Goodwood (12f, good) 56 days ago. Step back up in trip in her favour and won't be inconvenienced by any rainfall.

Form: 2221-40

(8)

In The Breeze¹⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 82| C

20/1

Course winner when in fine form at the end of the 2023 season but shaped as if needing the run (had been off 16 months) when last of 9 in handicap (66/1) at Southwell (11.1f) in January. Steps back up in trip and market should prove informative following a further 6-month absence.

Form: 31311/9

(1)

Melakaz⁵²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: R Stephens| OR: 79| D

20/1

Multiple winner during the 2022/2023 season but appeared to be summed up by his mark when last seen finishing fourth of 5 in handicap at Wolverhampton (14f). Returns from long absence on a 4 lb lower mark (has gone well fresh in the past) and is one to note in the betting.

Form: 51410/4-

(5)

Knights Affair¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 78| D

5/1

Fairly useful winner over this trip for David O'Meara last year. Well held off this sort of mark on final outings for that yard but has been in good form over hurdles for new connections this season. No surprise to see him give a good account of himself back on the Flat.

Form: 214155-

(7)

Paggane¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Jack Callan⁽⁷⁾| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 75

7/2

Flat winner in France. Useful hurdler/chaser for Willie Mullins. Not disgraced when third on stable debut at Ffos Las (12f) last month and should be suited by this longer trip. Interesting with in-form claimer taking off a valuable 7 lb.

Form: 231/3

(4)

Curran⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: S De Sousa| T: C Johnston| OR: 73| D

4/1

Opened his account for the season at Doncaster (14.5f) and followed up under good-value claimer at Newmarket (14f) later in June. Not disgraced over 2m previous two starts but his current mark looks about right. Should give his running back down in trip.

Form: 391136

Forecasts

Paggane (7/2), Curran (4/1), Pique' (4/1), Russian Crescendo (4/1), Knights Affair (5/1), Beauld As Brass (18/1), In The Breeze (20/1), Melakaz (20/1)

A trappy handicap and it may pay to side with lightly-raced 4-y-o RUSSIAN CRESCENDO who had won 2 of her first 3 starts prior to looking rusty on reappearance at Southwell in April. She's worth another chance following a break and is preferred to Paggane who shaped with encouragement on stable debut and could have more to offer upped in trip under a valuable claiming jockey, while Pique' could be in the mix if recapturing last season's form, with the step back up in trip set to suit.