Haydock, Wednesday 15 April 2026: Tips and Best Bets

Haydock, Wednesday 15 April 2026: Tips and Best Bets

Good ground at Haydock sets up a fascinating card, headlined by the Grade 2 Silver Trophy Handicap Chase. Three races stand out for punters looking for value, and there is a strong case for a couple of each-way plays at prices that deserve attention. With LIV Golf and the RBC Heritage both teeing off tomorrow, the racing crowd has the midweek stage to itself, so let's make it count.

2:05 — Unibet Abram Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Listed, 2m5f)

Selection: White Noise — 4/6 Bet365, William Hill, Coral

Odds-on favourites are only worth opposing when the form case is weak. Here it is not. White Noise arrives on the back of a 2m3f win at Warwick in February and has posted a career form line of -11121, that sole defeat sandwiched between victories. Kim Bailey has the yard ticking over at 1/8 in the last fortnight, which is modest, but this mare does not need her trainer to be in red-hot form. She is the class act in the field.

Torpille Dagrostis at 9/2 with William Hill is the most credible danger. Gordon Elliott's operation is running at 9/91 in the last 14 days, which sounds weak until you remember that yard produces winners on volume. Sean Bowen takes the ride, the cheekpieces have sharpened her up, and she justified short odds in a Leopardstown mares' maiden in March. Dream Shadow is the value play in the place market at 11/2 with a 5lb pull over the favourite on their February clash, but this trip and the good ground suit White Noise more than anyone else in the field. She wins.

2:40 — Unibet Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 2, 2m4f)

Selection: Riskintheground Each-Way — 7/2 Bet365, 4/1 Betfred

Dan Skelton has been in serious form, firing at 10/57 over the last two weeks, a yard that runs a lot of horses and hits regularly. Riskintheground won this very race 12 months ago when 1lb higher than today's mark, which tells you everything about the handicapper's generosity. Yes, form dipped after a small-field Newton Abbot win in October, but last time at the Cheltenham Festival, he was staying on when a faller at the last hampered him in the 2m4f Plate. That is not a beaten horse to dismiss, that is an unlucky horse to back.

Good ground at Haydock is no concern. Harry Skelton keeps the ride, and sibling combinations in this yard are as potent as anywhere in the country. At 7/2 each-way, three places at 1/5 odds, this is the race's standout bet.

Each-way alternative: The Bluesman — 3/1 Bet365, William Hill

Olly Murphy's yard is flying, 9/37 in the last fortnight, and Sean Bowen aboard a 7yo with an RPR of 152 at 3/1 is worth a second look. Form reads 3-1217 and the horse is young enough to still be progressing. Outlaw Peter cannot be dismissed at 8/1 after winning this course and distance just 11 days ago under cheekpieces for Paul Nicholls, but a 6lb rise in 11 days and potentially fresher legs against him makes The Bluesman the more appealing shorter-priced option.

5:00 — Unibet Handicap Chase (3m1½f)

Selection: Grand Geste — 9/4 Bet365, Unibet

The form book here is screaming one name. Grand Geste has won twice at this track since December, most recently taking the Grand National Trial over 3m4f, a race that always tests horses properly. Both victories have come at Haydock, he clearly loves this place, and the going today is good rather than the softer he would prefer. That is the only legitimate concern.

His pulls at Cheltenham and in between are worth setting aside. The National Hunt Chase at the Festival is a famously brutal contest and many horses come back from it needing a run. On a going day, this is his track and the handler Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith combination is ticking along at 2/12 recently. Danny McMenamin, who rides regularly for this stable, takes the mount again. At 9/4, the price reflects course form more than it should discourage us.

Each-way to note: Hold Your Fort Each-Way — 4/1 Bet365

Won at Ascot last month over 3m on good ground and Callum Pritchard claims 3lb. The caveat from the form book is that his two rivals at Ascot may have underperformed, and he is 5lb higher today in a far more competitive heat. At 4/1 each-way with three places on offer, the risk is worth taking for each-way coverage.

Today's NAP