Raceday LIVE – Phoenix Of Dreams
Haydock,
Fri 05 Sep 2025 14:42
Related horse(s):
Phoenix Of Dreams
Phoenix Of Dreams steps down to the minimum trip of five furlongs for the first time in his career this afternoon in Division I of the Class 4 Handicap at Haydock (14:42).
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Phoenix Of Dreams heads to Haydock for this first time in his career this afternoon, for what is only his third start of the year so far. Following a promising seasonal reappearance at Ayr, where he finished a length and a half back in fourth, Phoenix Of Dreams struggled to back that effort up at Windsor next time out, but that was mainly down to him getting far too keen prior to the race which continued into the early stages of the contest. Regular partner, Jason Hart, had to keep a tight hold of Phoenix Of Dreams on his way to the starting stalls and once the race began you could tell that he was worked up and never really got into a rhythm as a result.
WATCH: Jason Hart gives us a rundown following Phoenix Of Dreams' run at Windsor
Today's contest provides a different test for our four-year-old, as he steps down in trip to the minimum distance of five furlongs for the first time. He does have speed in his pedigree with his dam, Dreaming Of Rubies, who ran over five furlongs nine times in her career, including three second place finishes and a third in a solid handicap at York. Phoenix Of Dreams has shown early pace in a lot of his races to date and having become keen early on last time out, the thought is that he might benefit from a drop in trip.
Trainers John & Sean Quinn are certainly well-accustomed to training prolific sprinters given their track record with Highfield Princess, who went from running over seven furlongs and then down to five before going on to record multiple group one victories. This season it's been JM Jungle who has been flying the flag for the Malton-based duo. The five-year-old landed the Epsom Dash before going on to win a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood and then finishing a very credible 6th in the Nunthorpe at York.
WATCH: Trainer Sean Quinn provides an update ahead of today's contest at Haydock
There are several experienced campaigners in today's contest, none more so than the 11-year-old Hyperfocus who has racked up 80 races under rules in his career so far. He's scored ten times in those runs, including two over this distance and one over five and a half furlongs, which was his most recent victory in July of last year. Nine of the other thirteen runners in the race have tasted victory over the five furlong trip but only one, Glory Fighter, has won over course and distance. Glory Fighter was also successful last time out, and although he's ahead of the handicapper today he does have to carry a four pound penalty for that victory.
The going is set to be Good for today's contest, after a dry period following some wet weather last week. Showers were scheduled for yesterday afternoon, but they didn't materialise as much as Phoenix Of Dreams possibly would have appreciated, although we know he does acts well on good ground too so there shouldn't be any concerns there.
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews today's contest at Haydock and gives his opinion on Phoenix Of Dreams' chances
Phoenix Of Dreams returns from a short break with ground conditions in his favour at Haydock this afternoon and looks to have been headed a nice draw in stall seven. Having raced too freely when below form at Windsor last time it looks like a good move to fit the hood for the first time here and that headgear could definitely have a positive impact, as could the drop back in trip to the minimum distance of five furlongs for the first time. Handicapping wise he doesn’t look thrown in, but he’s definitely feasibly treated and it could be that under this scenario he has more to offer and as such he could be set to go quite close.
It is, however, a fairly competitive race with Hedge Fund, another one in a hood form the first time having gone too hard and too freely in front last time, making plenty of appeal. He’s well handicapped and will handle the conditions, something that may not be the case for another horse who has a form chance in Zarzyni. He is well enough handicapped and ran well when second last time, but maybe wouldn’t want the ground to get too testing. Similar comments apply to Alligator Alley, while Monks Dream ran well at Thirsk two starts back and didn’t get much luck at Newcastle last time so looks another one in with a chance in an open race.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
John & Sean Quinn have been relatively quiet recently and it's been two weeks since the father/son duo have had a winner but in that time period they have managed two third place finishes, at Chelmsford and Carlisle. They're also aiming for their first winner at Haydock as a partnership, having had 14 runners at the course, with six of those coming this year.
Jason Hart has scored four times in the last fortnight, with his most recent winner coming for Charlie Johnston at Carlisle on Monday. He operates with a 10% strike-rate at Haydock and has landed two wins at the course so far this year. He's won 37 times for John and Sean Quinn since Sean joined the training license at Highfield Stables, with 14 of those coming this season.
Phoenix Of Dreams' Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Phoenix Of Dreams' run at Haydock this afternoon.
Phoenix Of Dreams' Owners for the Day with jockey Jason Hart at Windsor before his last race
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Phoenix Of Dreams heads to Haydock for this first time in his career this afternoon, for what is only his third start of the year so far. Following a promising seasonal reappearance at Ayr, where he finished a length and a half back in fourth, Phoenix Of Dreams struggled to back that effort up at Windsor next time out, but that was mainly down to him getting far too keen prior to the race which continued into the early stages of the contest. Regular partner, Jason Hart, had to keep a tight hold of Phoenix Of Dreams on his way to the starting stalls and once the race began you could tell that he was worked up and never really got into a rhythm as a result.
WATCH: Jason Hart gives us a rundown following Phoenix Of Dreams' run at Windsor
Today's contest provides a different test for our four-year-old, as he steps down in trip to the minimum distance of five furlongs for the first time. He does have speed in his pedigree with his dam, Dreaming Of Rubies, who ran over five furlongs nine times in her career, including three second place finishes and a third in a solid handicap at York. Phoenix Of Dreams has shown early pace in a lot of his races to date and having become keen early on last time out, the thought is that he might benefit from a drop in trip.
Trainers John & Sean Quinn are certainly well-accustomed to training prolific sprinters given their track record with Highfield Princess, who went from running over seven furlongs and then down to five before going on to record multiple group one victories. This season it's been JM Jungle who has been flying the flag for the Malton-based duo. The five-year-old landed the Epsom Dash before going on to win a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood and then finishing a very credible 6th in the Nunthorpe at York.
WATCH: Trainer Sean Quinn provides an update ahead of today's contest at Haydock
There are several experienced campaigners in today's contest, none more so than the 11-year-old Hyperfocus who has racked up 80 races under rules in his career so far. He's scored ten times in those runs, including two over this distance and one over five and a half furlongs, which was his most recent victory in July of last year. Nine of the other thirteen runners in the race have tasted victory over the five furlong trip but only one, Glory Fighter, has won over course and distance. Glory Fighter was also successful last time out, and although he's ahead of the handicapper today he does have to carry a four pound penalty for that victory.
The going is set to be Good for today's contest, after a dry period following some wet weather last week. Showers were scheduled for yesterday afternoon, but they didn't materialise as much as Phoenix Of Dreams possibly would have appreciated, although we know he does acts well on good ground too so there shouldn't be any concerns there.
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews today's contest at Haydock and gives his opinion on Phoenix Of Dreams' chances
Phoenix Of Dreams returns from a short break with ground conditions in his favour at Haydock this afternoon and looks to have been headed a nice draw in stall seven. Having raced too freely when below form at Windsor last time it looks like a good move to fit the hood for the first time here and that headgear could definitely have a positive impact, as could the drop back in trip to the minimum distance of five furlongs for the first time. Handicapping wise he doesn’t look thrown in, but he’s definitely feasibly treated and it could be that under this scenario he has more to offer and as such he could be set to go quite close.
It is, however, a fairly competitive race with Hedge Fund, another one in a hood form the first time having gone too hard and too freely in front last time, making plenty of appeal. He’s well handicapped and will handle the conditions, something that may not be the case for another horse who has a form chance in Zarzyni. He is well enough handicapped and ran well when second last time, but maybe wouldn’t want the ground to get too testing. Similar comments apply to Alligator Alley, while Monks Dream ran well at Thirsk two starts back and didn’t get much luck at Newcastle last time so looks another one in with a chance in an open race.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
John & Sean Quinn have been relatively quiet recently and it's been two weeks since the father/son duo have had a winner but in that time period they have managed two third place finishes, at Chelmsford and Carlisle. They're also aiming for their first winner at Haydock as a partnership, having had 14 runners at the course, with six of those coming this year.
Jason Hart has scored four times in the last fortnight, with his most recent winner coming for Charlie Johnston at Carlisle on Monday. He operates with a 10% strike-rate at Haydock and has landed two wins at the course so far this year. He's won 37 times for John and Sean Quinn since Sean joined the training license at Highfield Stables, with 14 of those coming this season.
Phoenix Of Dreams' Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Phoenix Of Dreams' run at Haydock this afternoon.
Phoenix Of Dreams' Owners for the Day with jockey Jason Hart at Windsor before his last race
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
- Free racecourse entry
- Access to the Owners & Trainers enclosure
- Access to the Parade Ring before the race
- Meet Phoenix Of Dreams and the John & Sean Quinn team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money he wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 4 contest is worth £12,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £6,280 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £2,947 | 3rd: £1,472 | 4th: £736 | 5th: £367
Pipped At The Post – Exclusive for Members
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 14:42 at Haydock – click here to find out more.
14:42 HAYDOCK – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:42 to watch Phoenix Of Dreams' next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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