September 30 / 15.35 Hamilton

15.35

Good To Soft

David Equi 60th Birthday Celebrations Handicap

  • Prize money: £8897.8
  • 1m 1f 35y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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David Equi 60th Birthday Celebrations Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 604-67

Last run: 125 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
A useful 1m winner at his best for Jean-Claude Rouget in France; changed hands for 27,000euros in July and much respected starting out for his new yard, especially if the market vibes are positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(5)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:17 Haydock

Rajapour

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Two wins at Redcar (1m, good to firm/good) this summer and went very close at Hamilton (1m, heavy) last month; endured a torrid passage when mid-division at Redcar (1m, good) last time and he's firmly in calculations.

8/1

10th

4

(14)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:35 Redcar

Rajapour

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Went down by just a nose at Hamilton two weeks ago and he now returns to the C&D of his two wins (good to firm/good) this summer; creeping back up the weights but has plenty in his favour.

7/1

2nd

3

(1)

20th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

16:00 Hamilton

Rajapour

9st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Not disgraced at York last time but may be more interesting when back at Redcar, having gained his only British turf wins there, both this summer.

20/1

Form: 013-47 C BF

Last run: 235 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
A dual 1m2f/1m4f scorer in 2023; has run only twice this year and not seen to best effect when seventh of ten in 1m4f Newcastle handicap in February; needs to hit the ground running on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

(14)

4th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:12 Haydock

Beraz

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

All three wins on good to soft, the latest in October 2023; third off 5lb higher at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in March but disappointing since.

16/1

5th

3

(6)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

15:40 Newcastle (AW)

Beraz

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Julie Camacho

Has become well handicapped, but is usually seen over further and the drop in trip didn't inspire him at Carlisle (7.7f, soft) last month; others preferred.

16/1

OUR TIP

100/30

Form: 362121

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Right back on song of late and made it two wins in his last three starts, at Doncaster (1m6f, good to soft) 17 days ago; versatile sort who is not taken lightly up 3lb and back in trip here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Faylaq

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

9yo who was well beaten in the John Smith's Cup at York last month but won two in a row here (1m5f/1m4f, good to firm) in May and continued in good form until his blip last time; not ruled out now back here.

12/1

9

(12)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Faylaq

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins at Hamilton (1m5f/1m4f, good to firm) in May and creditable fifth in the Northumberland Plate a fortnight ago (2m, AW); he's a 9yo who has never won off a mark this high but is versatile in terms of trip and ran well over C&D last month; not ruled out each-way.

22/1

5th

7

(2)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Faylaq

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Third and sixth in last two runnings of the C&D Vase on this card; in the groove with successive wins at Hamilton (1m5f/1m4f) this May; however, he's been held off this mark when back up to Class 2 in his three starts since, still in form but suggesting that others will have the edge today.

18/1

Form: 484744 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Course winner who comes here in good form, fourth of nine in 1m2f Chester handicap 16 days ago; she ought to be thereabouts eased 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

15:35 Hamilton

Zarabanda

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Course winner who comes here in good form, fourth of nine in 1m2f Chester handicap 16 days ago; she ought to be thereabouts eased 1lb.

9/2

4th

4

(3)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:05 Chester

Zarabanda

9st 7lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Useful mare who won three times on soft ground last year; often highly tried this year but creditable fourth back in a handicap at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) last week; reasons to think she'll run well but Stressfree is still the more appealing of the yard's pair.

9/1

4th

1

(1)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Zarabanda

10st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Mixed form in Listed races on last three starts but she was a creditable fourth at York two runs ago (1m2f, good to firm) and she's won three of her eight handicaps (all on soft); interesting now back in a handicap.

12/1

Form: 384200

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
It's now 16 outings since his last success and he beat only two in 1m Newcastle AW handicap last month; others are much preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Benacre

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Charlie Johnston

Recent efforts have not been his best but he's a dual C&D winner who has never been this low in the weights; a revival would come as no surprise.

10/1

5th

5

(3)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Benacre

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

No turf win since 2022 but he has won three AW handicaps in the last 14 months; should be well treated but recent efforts haven't been his best; this is a drop in class so not dismissed, even though the return of cheekpieces wouldn't be an obvious plus based on previous usage.

9/1

4th

5

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

19:09 Carlisle

Benacre

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Charlie Johnston

Not won on turf since his 2yo days but it was a fairly close third at Musselburgh (7f, good) in April; now 4lb lower after four lesser runs; handicapping case can be made but percentage call is to oppose.

9/1

Form: -51251

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Bagged his second victory of 2024 in 1m2f Ayr handicap in July; off since but that form has been franked so he can't be discounted off a 4lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(4)

13th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

14:40 Sandown

Chaturanga

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Strike-rate of 4-12; wasn't helping his jockey when a close third behind an improver at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) and blinkers could be a significant addition, replacing regular cheekpieces; there's nothing wrong with his mark.

3/1

Form: 133090 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Course scorer but he arrives out of sorts, only 11th in 1m Haydock handicap 23 days ago; visor is reached for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(5)

15th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

14:53 Redcar

Pisanello

9st 5lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who scored twice here (including over C&D) before completing a hat-trick at Hamilton (1m) in August; not disgraced after a slow start when seventh of 19 over C&D six days ago; needs considering.

9/1

7th

6

(6)

9th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

16:54 Redcar

Pisanello

9st 11lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Resurgent veteran who won twice at Redcar (including over C&D) in July before completing a hat-trick at Hamilton (1m1f, good) last month; his winning streak came to an end at Leicester but that was a creditable effort behind an improver and he remains well treated on his old form; key player.

11/2

2nd

1

(1)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:19 Leicester

Pisanello

10st 1lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Won two in a row at Redcar (1m1f/1m, good to firm) last month and completed hat-trick at Hamilton (1m1f, good) last Saturday; he's 6lb higher than last time and has never won over this far, but he's finished strongly for his recent wins and there's still plenty of mileage in his mark on old form.

2/1

Form: 653604 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
On a lengthy losing run but he didn't enjoy the rub of the green when a never-nearer fourth of 14 in 1m handicap at Ayr nine days ago; he's slipped to a good mark so merits serious consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(5)

16th Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

14:08 Beverley

Austrian Theory

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Winless since 2024 but he arrives in decent nick, fourth of 11 in 11.5f handicap at Haydock 13 days ago; ought to be in the shake-up again eased 1lb.

8/1

4th

4

(4)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Austrian Theory

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Just one win to his name since June 2023 and he failed to justify favouritism in a similar event at Catterick (1m4f, good) last time, with the reopposing Star Start a place ahead of him second; however, his record in recent years suggests that going softer than good is ideal for him nowadays and this is the first time he's faced such conditions since a respectable reappearance off a much higher mark in the spring; considered.

5/1

3rd

1

(5)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:15 Catterick

Austrian Theory

11st 2lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Just one win to his name since June 2023 and he has found it tough going so far in 2026; he has slipped a long way in the weights though and today's drop in class will help; not discounted.

9/2

Form: 190-00

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
A fairly useful 6f/7f winner for Joseph O'Brien in Ireland but he's failed to beat a rival in two starts for his current yard this summer; he needs to take a major step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cavallo Pazzo

9st 9lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Daragh Bourke

0-9 for this yard and was never better than midfield at Ayr on last month's return from nearly a year off; entitled to be sharper for the outing but would need to see market support to consider on this belated AW debut with a first-time visor added to his regular tongue-tie.

11/2

8th

11

(7)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Cavallo Pazzo

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Daragh Bourke

0-8 for this yard and he was beaten 10l when sixth of 12 here (1m, heavy; has won on that surface in Ireland) when last seen 343 days ago; could only consider if backed.

9/1

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Zarabanda

Daily Mail:

Faylaq

Telegraph:

Chaturanga

The Guardian:

Rajapour

SPOTLIGHT:

Austrian Theory

Daily Record:

Chaturanga

TOPSPEED:

Zarabanda

POSTDATA:

Zarabanda

D Express:

Zarabanda

The Sun:

Rajapour

The Times:

Austrian Theory

Daily Mirror:

Faylaq

The Star:

Faylaq