15:30 Hamilton

Sunday 22 September 2019

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

Top Cat Window Blinds 'Hopes N Dreams' Selling Stakes

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 2m 5.78s

(1)

Indomeneo⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74

8/1

Found a good run of form coming to an end at Chester (1m2f) last time turning in a laboured effort (off the bridle before most). Took advantage of a drop in the weights to win at Haydock in July (1m2f); drops into this grade for the first time.

Form: 441639

(7)

Archies Lad²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: R M Smith| OR: 53

50/1

Winner at claiming level earlier in the year over 7f at Leicester (final start for Richard Fahey) he's been mostly below form for this yard. Didn't fare too badly on his latest start at Ayr (better than distance beaten); stiff task at the weights.

Form: 188709

(3)

Firlinfeu²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: J Feane| OR: 67

9/2

Yard always respected with their GB runners (2-8 here); former Mark Johnston inmate who has shaped well on his last two starts on soft/heavy ground at up to 1m4f. Looked to need all of the 1m4f trip last time; this may be a little on the short side.

Form: 1-00032

(9)

Rashdan¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jamie Gormley| T: I Jardine| OR: 71

16/1

Fair handicapper in the past but looks to have lost his way to some extent and not yet revived for a move to this yard. Poor and below-par on his last two starts he drops markedly in grade; remains to be seen if that does the trick for him.

Form: 385690

(4)

Redgrave⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: J Tuite| OR: 73| BF

4/1

Fairly useful handicapper who has at times shaped with promise this year without ultimately convincing that he's ready to win again. Best excused his latest run at Chester (went off too hard under a change of tactics); could well get involved.

Form: 036559

(6)

The Last Emperor^t⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: E Mullins| OR: 82

11/4

Yard 0-4 with the Flat raiders but 4-8 over the jumps in GB; former fairly useful handicapper with Roger Varian. Has been hurdling for this yard but of more interest on his Flat form twice running well in handicaps; trip should suit, main player.

Form: 4224-45

(10)

Windsor Cross¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 68

20/1

One of two in this for the yard one of his best pieces of form this term came here over 1m in May although that modest third isn't much to rejoice about. Run now sort of race in his last three starts; fails to make much appeal.

Form: 634730

(5)

Can Can Sixty Two³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 58

50/1

Tried unsuccessfully over hurdles to start with for this yard her Flat form in middle of the road handicaps leaves something to be desired. Tried at up to 1m3f she's often too free and fails to get home; given a stiff task.

Form: 866580

(11)

New Rhythm²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: A C Whillans| OR: 38

100/1

Lightly-raced sort who having made little impression in minor events at up to 1m fared no better over 1m2f on her handicap debut at Newcastle last time. Even in this grade she makes little appeal with the weights hardly being in her favour.

Form: 40-00

(2)

Set In Stone²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: Andrew Hughes| OR: 74| CD

5/2

Three-time course winner who capitalised on a falling mark (well suited by the rain-softened ground) when winning an apprentice handicap over 1m in July (form franked). Not disgraced over C&D last month, drops into this grade for the first time.

Form: 506312

Non-Runners

(8)

Ride The Monkey²

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: M Dods J: C Lee

Forecasts

Set In Stone (5/2), The Last Emperor (11/4), Redgrave (4/1), Firlinfeu (9/2), Indomeneo (8/1), Ride The Monkey (8/1), Rashdan (16/1), Windsor Cross (20/1), Archies Lad (50/1), Can Can Sixty Two (50/1), New Rhythm (100/1)

The colours worn by Set In Stone have been carried to victory for the past two years in this contest and this three-time course winner is sure to make a bold bid having run well here all season, in fact his last six runs have all come here. However, his compatriot THE LAST EMPEROR looks to hold stronger claims for a yard who have yet to score on the level with a GB runner but have landed a couple of notable jumps gambles in the past year or so on these shores. The home defence is led by the likes of Indomeneo and Redgrave with Rashdan also in the mix on his best form although that trio will do well to hold off the Irish challenge.