19:30 Hamilton

Friday 16 July 2021

All17:5018:2018:5519:3020:0020:3021:00

Heineken UK Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 1m 9.47s

(1)

Meraas¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 99| CD

9/1

Winner of this race 12 months ago. Last of 3 in minor event (7/2) at Haydock (6f, good to soft) 13 days ago, having run of race. Possibly needed that run and no surprise if he bounces back.

Form: 91660-3

(9)

Desert Safari²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 98| D

16/1

Five wins from 17 Flat runs, the latest at Goodwood in May. Only eleventh of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (5f, 6/1) 21 days ago, though, and others boast more compelling claims.

Form: 151800

(10)

Rathbone^b¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: O McSweeney⁽⁷⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 96| D

6/1

Career best when winning 11-runner handicap at Thirsk (6f, good to firm, 5/1) 16 days ago, sticking to task. 4 lb rise tolerable and he should be in the thick of things once again.

Form: 049121

(5)

Commanche Falls^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 95| BF| D

5/1

Latest win at Ripon in June. Bit below form 3¼ lengths fourth of 11 to Rathbone in handicap (11/4) at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) 16 days ago. There were excuses that day and he's one to consider.

Form: 16-1414

(12)

Staxton^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 93| D

12/1

Latest win at Ripon in April. 16/1, tenth of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (6f) 20 days ago, hampered. Others make more appeal.

Form: 100-100

(2)

Paws For Thought²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jane Elliott| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 93| D

15/2

Latest win at Chester in May. 10/1, creditable fourth of 9 in handicap at Chester (7f, soft) 20 days ago. Will need a clear career-best if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 144-154

(4)

Mr Wagyu^v⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 88| CD

9/2

C&D winner. 4 wins from 8 runs this year, the latest at Haydock in July. Good second of 19 in handicap at York (6f, good, 20/1) 6 days ago and another big run is on the cards.

Form: 111912

(3)

Illusionist^b³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 87| CD

14/1

C&D winner in May. Bit below form eighth of 16 in handicap (11/1) at York (7f, good) 35 days ago, unsuited by step up in trip. Blinkers back on and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 0-88158

(8)

Equiano Springs²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: P Mathers| T: T P Tate| OR: 84| D

22/1

33/1, eighth of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) 22 days ago, unsuited by step up in trip. More than capable off this sort of mark, but needs to bounce back in a major way.

Form: 7207-68

(6)

Music Society⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Ella McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| BF| C| D

13/2

Course winner. Latest win at Pontefract in June. 15/2, below form eleventh of 19 in handicap at York (6f, good) 6 days ago, not knocked about. Likely to find one or two too good.

Form: 220120

(11)

Kraken Power^p¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Jamie Gormley| T: I Jardine| OR: 82| CD

14/1

C&D winner. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, creditable third of 7 in handicap at Ayr (6f, good, 9/1) 11 days ago, not ideally placed. Others make greater appeal.

Form: 0-38233

Non-Runners

(7)

Magical Spirit²⁰

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: K A Ryan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mr Wagyu (9/2), Commanche Falls (5/1), Rathbone (6/1), Music Society (13/2), Paws For Thought (15/2), Meraas (9/1), Magical Spirit (10/1), Staxton (12/1), Kraken Power (14/1), Illusionist (14/1), Desert Safari (16/1), Equiano Springs (22/1)

COMMANCHE FALLS didn't get the rub of the green when fourth in the 11-runner Thirsk handicap won by Rathbone and, granted better luck this time, he may well reverse the placings on 4 lb better terms. Indeed, Michael Dods's charge did the job well at Ripon on his penultimate start and remains on a feasible mark. Mr Wagyu has been in terrific form this year and should give another good account.