15:05 Hamilton

Monday 23 September 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1016:4517:1517:50

Alex Fergusson Memorial Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 1m 49.58s

(9)

Gamesters Icon^p,t1⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 55

11/2

16-race maiden, not at his best here in July when last sighted. Sports first-time tongue tie here in quest for elusive success.

Form: 48-3597

(10)

Dose³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 54| D

18/1

Last win came in April 2018 at Redcar off 8lb higher mark. Well below that level since and no sign of a revival in two runs this year. Remains best watched.

Form: 8059-88

(2)

Be Bold^b²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 52| BF| D

9/2

Winner off 4lb lower at Musselburgh in July but well handicapped on old form. Rain would be a plus for him. Beaten favourite over C&D (heavy) last month.

Form: 622234

(6)

Rosarno^p1¹²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 51| D

11/4

Regressive performer for Paul Howling this year despite a substantial fall in the handicap. Cheekpieces added but best watched on stable debut.

Form: 000690

(1)

My Valentino^b⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 50| CD

15/2

Broke his duck at the 32nd attempt when edging out Be Bold by a neck over C&D in July. Tends to get away slowly, but scored again at Musselburgh nine days ago over shorter and respected.

Form: 767161

(4)

Crazy Tornado^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 49| CD

10/1

Dual C&D winner, went close at Musselburgh three starts ago but was last of eight, fading to 21L defeat, here last month on heavy. Must bounce back.

Form: 090289

(8)

Poyle George Two⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: J Hodge| OR: 49| BF

8/1

Two: 11-race maiden originally with Ralph Beckett. Twice gone close over C&D in June/July. No reason not to be in firing line from unchanged mark after a break.

Form: 888924

(5)

Mr Cool Cash^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: S H James| T: J J Davies| OR: 48| D

13/2

Close third over C&D (good) in July and only just failed to get verdict at Carlisle last time. Races from unchanged mark and should go close.

Form: 0-56362

(3)

The Brora Pobbles⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: A C Whillans| OR: 46

25/1

Helmet filly, ran easily her best race of six over this C&D in July, though has reverted to type with poor effort at Redcar since.

Form: 988-050

Non-Runners

(7)

Ocean Air¹⁹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: J C McConnell J: R P Downey

Forecasts

Rosarno (11/4), Ocean Air (3/1), Be Bold (9/2), Gamesters Icon (11/2), Mr Cool Cash (13/2), My Valentino (15/2), Poyle George Two (8/1), Crazy Tornado (10/1), Dose (18/1), The Brora Pobbles (25/1)

My Valentino is clearly in good heart and bids for a third win in four starts, though he might be in the assessor's grasp now. Be Bold was a beaten favourite here last time and is capable of playing his part but MR COOL CASH has C&D form and would likely have got up in another stride or two at Carlisle last time. He's on a workable mark. Ocean Air has won here this season and has the ability to do so again.