Corolla Point
It was only a division of a Class 4 handicap that Corolla Point won at Haydock on Friday, but there was a lot to like about the performance. Drawn in stall 12 towards the near side on this, his first run for Ed Bethell, he travelled well for Callum Rodriquez on the near side, just behind the leaders. He quickened up smartly on the run to the furlong marker, and he came away to win by a length and a half, leaving the impression that he had a fair bit more in hand than that.
He did best by far of the high-drawn horses. The horses who chased him home were drawn, respectively, two, five, one and four of 14, and raced towards the far side. Also, the first division of this contest was dominated by the low-drawn horses. The first six home in that 14-runner race emerged from stalls six, two, five, nine, three and seven. As well as that, this was Corolla Point's first run for his new trainer, and it was his first run since May. Winner of a novice stakes on soft ground at York last October for Charlie Appleby on his racecourse debut, his first two runs in defeat this season were both on soft ground. It may be that he appreciated getting back on good ground on Saturday, and he could do even better when the ground softens further. The handicapper raised him by 7lb for this run to a mark of 88, but he has raced just four times now, he has the scope to go well beyond that rating. An 800,000-guinea breeze-up horse, he will be of interest wherever he goes next. We know that he can operate on soft ground, and on soft ground at York, so he will be of particular interest if he goes back to the Knavesmire for their final meeting of the year on 10th and 11th October.
Haydock, 5th September 2025
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