15:35 Hamilton

Monday 30 September 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

David Equi 60th Birthday Celebrations Handicap

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 2m 0.44s

(1)

Rajapour¹²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91

25/1

Almanzor gelding who quickly reached a useful level in France (3-3 at 2 yrs). Disappointing since promising reappearance last season but joined a yard adept with new recruits for €27,000 in July and interesting if the betting spoke in his favour.

Form: 3604-67

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(7)

Beraz²³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 90| BF| C

10/1

Successful on 2 of his 5 starts last year (including here) and was in good form when last seen on all-weather, a stronger gallop likely to have suited better when seventh of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f) in February. Drops back in trip for return and respected for in-form stable.

Form: 1013-47

(6)

Faylaq¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 89

9/2

Snapped a lengthy losing run over 1¼m at Ayr in August and following a good second here next time, he duly proved willing when edging ahead late on to take Mallard handicap at Doncaster (14.5f) 17 days ago. Versatile as regards trip/ground and likely he'll be thereabouts again.

Form: 362121

(8)

Zarabanda¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| C

7/2

Successful 3 times in 2023. Form in-and-out this season but recent exploits have been solid, fourth of 9 in handicap at Chester (10.3f, soft, 14/1) 16 days ago, well positioned. Can give another good account on that evidence.

Form: 484744

(5)

Benacre³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 84

15/2

Sixteen runs since last win in 2022. Twelfth of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (8f, 18/1) 39 days ago, weakening over 1f out. Best effort this term came at this track but he does need to step up on recent efforts to figure.

Form: 384200

(9)

Chaturanga^p⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 89

5/1

2 wins from 5 runs this year. Career best when winning 6-runner handicap at Ayr (10f, good to firm, 4/1) 63 days ago, well positioned. More on his plate up 4 lb in this higher grade but he's building up a good strike rate and fancied to be in the shake up.

Form: 0-51251

(3)

Pisanello^v1²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 82| C| D

16/1

Course winner who capitalised on his reduced mark when scoring at York in June. However, has found his run of good form coming to a halt in recent starts, eleventh of 13 in handicap at Haydock (8.2f, good) 23 days ago. One of 3 runners from this yard.

Form: 133090

(2)

Austrian Theory⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 81| C| D

11/4

Course winner. Yet to get his head in front for this yard but he comes here on the back of an encouraging fourth of 14 in handicap (11/1) at Ayr (8f, good to firm) 9 days ago, despite not being ideally placed. Worth considering from this career-low mark.

Form: 653604

(4)

Cavallo Pazzo⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: A Mullen| T: D Bourke| OR: 77

125/1

Dual winner at up to 7f in Ireland but has failed to beat a rival without his customary tongue strap in pair of starts for new yard in recent months. Best watched until displaying more positive signs.

Form: 2190-00

Forecasts

Austrian Theory (11/4), Zarabanda (7/2), Faylaq (9/2), Chaturanga (5/1), Benacre (15/2), Beraz (10/1), Pisanello (16/1), Rajapour (25/1), Cavallo Pazzo (125/1)

Not for the first time this season, AUSTRIAN THEORY shaped better than the distance beaten suggests when fourth at Ayr 9 days ago, running on late having not been ideally placed. Now on a career-low mark, he could be worth chancing to come out on top. Faylaq comes here in fine fettle and is feared. Beraz, on return, and another last-time-out winner, Chaturanga, complete the shortlist.