14:40 Hamilton

Sunday 2 May 2021

All14:1014:4015:1515:5516:2516:5517:25

MansionBet Beaten By A Head Buttonhook Handicap

Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 2m 50.82s

(6)

Hochfeld⁵^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Connor Beasley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94

4/1

3/1, didn't need to improve to win 4-runner handicap at Nottingham (14f, good to firm) 5 days ago, showing a good attitude under an enterprising ride. Carries penalty.

Form: 436-381

(2)

Alright Sunshine^b1¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Garritty⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 97

11/2

Highly progressive in 2019, winning 4 times at up to 17.5f. Struggled upped in class last season but this more realistic and is fit from hurdling. Leading claims in first-time blinkers.

Form: 1/5890-8

(1)

Morisco^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jane Elliott| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 94

10/1

28/1, shaped as if retaining all his ability back from 5 months off when fourth of 7 in handicap at Thirsk (12f, good to firm) 15 days ago, slowly away. Cheekpieces back on. Each-way shout.

Form: 06045-4

(3)

The Trader¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93

7/1

Not disgraced from a higher turf mark when sixth of 7 in handicap (12/1) at Thirsk (12f, good to firm) 15 days ago. One of 3 for Mark Johnston and others appeal more on paper.

Form: 4257-56

(9)

Great Esteem^b²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Adam J McNamara| T: A Watson| OR: 93

12/1

2 wins from 5 runs this year. Latest win at Lingfield in March. Blinkered for 1st time, ran respectably when third of 5 in handicap (15/2) at Kempton (12f) 23 days ago. Another step forward needed.

Form: 2/13213

(7)

Notation⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92

11/2

Kicked off 2021 with victory in 1m4f Southwell handicap and back to form albeit seen to maximum effect from front when second of 3 in handicap at Ripon (16f, good to firm) 8 days ago. In the mix.

Form: 1-12802

(5)

Ben Lilly⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: D H Brown| OR: 92

4/1

Had an excellent 2020, winning 5 times and made it 2 wins from 3 starts this year when landing 4-runner handicap at Doncaster (16.5f) 9 days ago, bit in hand. Likely to continue in form up 5 lb.

Form: 158-411

(4)

Nicholas T¹⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 92

11/1

Successful on return to action at Ayr (10f) last June and resumed winning ways from out of the blue having rare start on all-weather at Newcastle in November. 6 lb higher now but respected on return.

Form: 760701-

(8)

The Navigator³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 80

12/1

Set for no better than minor honours when brought down 2 out in handicap hurdle (10/1) at Musselburgh (16.4f, good) 37 days ago. Should be competitive from this sort of mark back on the Flat.

Form: 331852-

Forecasts

Hochfeld (4/1), Ben Lilly (4/1), Notation (11/2), Alright Sunshine (11/2), The Trader (7/1), Morisco (10/1), Nicholas T (11/1), The Navigator (12/1), Great Esteem (12/1)

Mark Johnston looks to have a good chance of taking this contest with 3 strong contenders. NOTATION looks the pick, and she's taken to go one better than her recent second at Ripon when admittedly seen to maximum effect from the front. Alright Sunshine heads the dangers in first-time blinkers, ahead of David Brown's prolific Ben Lilly and the selection's stablemate Hochfeld.