18:45 Hamilton

Sunday 14 May 2023

All15:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

Sky Bet Sunday Series Middle Distance Handicap

Off time: 18:45 | Winning time: 2m 23.15s

(4)

Faylaq⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 85| D

2/1

Losing run stretches back to 2019 but he's down in the weights and made a very promising start for Jim Goldie when second over 13f here a week ago, faring best of those held up. Clearly needs everything to drop right but he's of interest.

Form: 45320-2

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(5)

Knight Of Honour^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85

13/2

Winner of minor event at Sakhir (9.9f) in January and back on top form returned to Britain when third of 11 at Thirsk 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces back on and he's been eased 1 lb.

Form: 63-1083

(8)

Dubai Leader⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 83

22/1

Last tasted success at Kempton in November. Too free to last out both starts this year and on that evidence, this slight drop back in trip will help.

Form: 5515-89

(9)

Croeso Cymraeg¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: D C Costello| T: H J Evans| OR: 81| D

10/1

Off 7 months and shaped well when second of 7 in handicap at Leicester (11.8f, heavy) in April, collared late having typically gone freely. Occupied same spot at Windsor and always dangerous if getting a good pace to aim at.

Form: 5685-22

(10)

Beraz¹⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 78WS

40/1

Winner in France but has never stood much racing and limited impact both hurdles starts for Dan Skelton a year ago. Had had another wind op ahead of handicap debut for new yard returned to the level and he's not easy to assess.

Form: 26014/

(1)

Thunder Roar³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 76

16/1

Clearly hard to train given his fleeting appearances but last month's AW run will have blown away the cobwebs and a case from a handicapping perspective can be made. Up markedly in trip and one to watch in the market.

Form: 2/3-4

(6)

Aqwaam^p1⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: Ian Williams| OR: 76

7/2

Much improved when opening his account in heavy ground at Galway (11.8f) last summer. Mixed bag thereafter but he's returned in good heart, runner-up at Doncaster (11.9f, heavy) 8 days ago. Cheekpieces go on now and bold bid expected.

Form: 1085-62

(7)

Derry Lad⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Shane Gray| T: Kevin Coleman| OR: 71

7/1

Won over this sort of trip at Sligo last term before several creditable efforts in defeat. Fit from a hurdling campaign when a good second at Navan in March and this Irish raider merits respect.

Form: 34326-2

(2)

Don't Look Back⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Planas⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 69

13/2

Fit from hurdling and produced a career best when winning 12-runner handicap at Doncaster (10.2f, heavy, 28/1) last month. Matched that form when second over C&D a week ago and not fully exposed over middle distances.

Form: 46/4-152

Non-Runners

(3)

Belle Of Annandale⁹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 4

T: K Dalgleish J: S H James

Forecasts

Faylaq (2/1), Aqwaam (7/2), Knight Of Honour (13/2), Don't Look Back (13/2), Derry Lad (7/1), Croeso Cymraeg (10/1), Belle Of Annandale (10/1), Thunder Roar (16/1), Dubai Leader (22/1), Beraz (40/1)

A tightly-knit handicap with CROESO CYMRAEG just about the most persuasive option with this track fancied to suit the James-Evans trained veteran. Aqwaam and Faylaq arrive on the back of excellent runner-up efforts and are just a couple of potential threats.