June 02 / 16.40 Hamilton

16.40

Good To Soft

Sky Bet Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £14946.6
  • 1m 5f 16y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
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Sky Bet Club Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

25/1 (Won)

Form: 886-00

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won at York (1m4f, good) last July and now 2lb below that last winning mark, having failed to figure in his two starts this season; acts on good to soft but well beaten in his two runs on soft; latest run was a rare one in cheekpieces and now it's blinkers (tried once in 2022) which return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(2)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Dark Moon Rising

8st 9lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner in 2023; no joy anywhere last season (mostly at this track) but the closest he came was a neck defeat here (1m2f; 4lb higher today) on final start; not far away on AW last three starts this year and the same may be possible on today's return to turf.

16/1

4th

6

(7)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Dark Moon Rising

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Losing run now up to 14, but his last couple of efforts have been encouraging as when second of six in a slightly stronger contest at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) last month; still on his last winning mark and holds each-way claims.

10/1

2nd

4

(5)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Dark Moon Rising

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Drew a blank in 2025 but he ended that campaign with a good second in a big-field 10.2f handicap at York; two respectable AW runs this year but he will need to raise his game to take this.

5/1

11/4

Form: 111-61

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Big improver when upped in trip and visored last summer, winning turf handicaps at Haydock (good to soft), Leicester and Goodwood; another significant step forward when making all to justify favouritism in good style at Newcastle (AW) three weeks ago; all that success was over about 1m4f but 1m5f can also suit; up a further 7lb but another win may well be forthcoming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

28th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Fairbanks

12st 2lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: William Durkan

Off the mark over hurdles at Ballinrobe in May on second start for this yard at Ballinrobe; useful five-time Flat winner for Andrew Balding; could make no impression when returning to Britain for the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot; no match for a Willie Mullins-trained favourite in a novice hurdle at Roscommon three weeks ago.

25/1

2nd

1

7th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 204y

18:43 Roscommon

Fairbanks

11st 8lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Off the mark over hurdles on second start for this yard at Ballinrobe (16.5f, good) in May; smart form on the Flat for Andrew Balding but came up short back on the level in a hot Royal Ascot handicap three weeks ago; top-rated here at 128; obvious chance on ground that will suit.

15/8

4

(19)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Fairbanks

9st 9lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: William Durkan

Progressive for Andrew Balding last year, winning two handicaps (1m4f/1m6f, AW/good); went over hurdles last month for his new yard and won a maiden at Ballinrobe three weeks ago; could go well now back on the Flat.

16/1

3rd
10 (3)
Faylaq

12/1

Form: 06-445

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Often travels strongly, regularly competitive and well capable of being seriously involved, off 27lb lower today than his peak mark; however, going on to win is seriously problematic, as latest start showed again in race here won by Geremia, and the bottom line is that he's failed to score since 2019.
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

8/1

Form: 08/102 BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Seen far more often over hurdles (winner on varied ground); lost his way in that discipline but smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and close second of six to Hope You Can Run at Newmarket (1m6f) two weeks ago; often wears cheekpieces, but hooded instead on latest start and has no headgear today; may still have more to offer on Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(8)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Too Friendly

8st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles; lost his way in that discipline but smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and he's run well on turf since over 1m6f and 1m5f; often wears cheekpieces, which return today after he was hooded instead on penultimate start and had no headgear on latest; others are preferred for the win.

20/1

4th

4

(1)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:40 Hamilton

Too Friendly

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles (winner on varied ground); lost his way in that discipline but smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and close second of six to Hope You Can Run at Newmarket (1m6f) two weeks ago; often wears cheekpieces, but hooded instead on latest start and has no headgear today; may still have more to offer on Flat.

8/1

2nd

6

(1)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Newmarket

Too Friendly

9st 3lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: James Owen

Seen far more often over hurdles (winner on varied ground); has lost his way in that discipline but he was a smooth 2m winner on the Kempton AW in March (first Flat start since 2021) and was not discredited when tenth in the Chester Cup nine days ago; first-time hood replaces cheekpieces; may still have more to offer on Flat.

4/1

10/1

Form: 25-361 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing sequence in good style at Thirsk (1m6f, good to soft) four weeks ago; back up 4lb but he was another 9lb higher this time last year and has returned to serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(6)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

13:30 Catterick

Dark Jedi

10st 2lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Tim Easterby

slowly away, held up in rear

9/1

5th

4

(9)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

Dark Jedi

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

slowly into stride, held up in rear, no impression from over 2f out

12/1

3rd

4

(4)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Dark Jedi

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Disappointing favourite in this race last year but he does stay the trip and acts on heavy going; Thirsk in May saw his first win since 2022 but he's underperformed on last four outings; the last two were admittedly on AW and he's back to that last winning mark.

6/1

8/1

Form: 94-361 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Left Jim Goldie before penultimate start; two wins from four races at Hamilton, including when he mowed down Capital Theory from the back in six-runner race (1m4f) 16 days ago; back up 4lb (peak mark was 2lb higher still) and stays further than this; another telling late challenge could be on its way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(15)

23rd Aug 2024

Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

19:05 Hamilton

Geremia

8st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Two wins last year (good to soft/soft; including here) and he took a six-runner C&D handicap (good) in May; however, slow starts can be an issue and he was well beaten at Thirsk last time; the cheekpieces had no positive impact on sole previous use in 2021; others are more compelling.

33/1

15th

2

(14)

16th Jun 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:15 Thirsk

Geremia

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Three-time winner at up to 1m5f, on good or slower; latest success came at Hamilton (1m4f, good), on his penultimate start; finished over 3l ahead of Hope You Can Run when sixth back at Hamilton latest; more needed.

9/1

6th

8

(4)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:40 Hamilton

Geremia

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Left Jim Goldie before penultimate start; two wins from four races at Hamilton, including when he mowed down Capital Theory from the back in six-runner race (1m4f) 16 days ago; back up 4lb (peak mark was 2lb higher still) and stays further than this; another telling late challenge could be on its way.

8/1

Form: 2145-4

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
A fairly useful 1m2f winner for John and Thady Gosden in 2023; won a soft-ground maiden hurdle this February but refused to race in first-time cheekpieces once in April; fourth of six to Geremia when wearing that headgear again back on Flat at this track (1m4f) 16 days ago, which was up with his best Flat form but suggests he's not on a great mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(5)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

15:20 Brighton

Maasai Mara

9st 8lb

J: William Carson

T: John O’Shea

Regressed over hurdles last year but there was some encouragement with a hood deployed when fourth of seven at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) on his Flat return last month; blinkers (retained) were back on when a pace bias and wide draw did for him at Chester three weeks ago; not entirely ruled out.

14/1

12th

7

(12)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Maasai Mara

9st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: John O’Shea

Lost his way over hurdles last year and made only a mildly encouraging return to the Flat when keeping-on fourth of seven at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW; first-time hood) last month; not the most obvious answer.

40/1

4th

4

(5)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Maasai Mara

9st 2lb

J: William Carson

T: John O’Shea

Lost his way over hurdles, running poorly in two runs back from a break last November; the usual cheekpieces are replaced by a first-time hood and it's hard to believe he's still up to this sort of mark on the Flat.

33/1

Form: 21-871

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Can front-run; surged back to form at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) two weeks ago, going on 3f out and seeing off the strong challenger Too Friendly; acts on good to soft; up 3lb but seriously considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(1)

7th Jul 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Chelmsford (AW)

Hope You Can Run

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

took keen hold, prominent

10/1

8th

1

(2)

16th Jun 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:15 Thirsk

Hope You Can Run

9st 10lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Triple winner at up to 1m6f, all on a sound surface; stepped up on two early-season efforts when scoring at Newmarket last month; went up 3lb for that and was beaten over 8l at Hamilton (1m5f, good) latest; more needed.

12/1

8th

6

(7)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:40 Hamilton

Hope You Can Run

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Can front-run; surged back to form at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) two weeks ago, going on 3f out and seeing off the strong challenger Too Friendly; acts on good to soft; up 3lb but seriously considered.

7/1

Form: 67060- CD

Last run: 281 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won five handicaps at Hamilton in summer 2022 and a Listed race at Abu Dhabi that December; 0-11 since and rather went off the boil last summer (not seen since August) but the handicapper has started to relent; first run since leaving Jim Goldie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(3)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

15:27 Southwell (AW)

Wickywickywheels

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lucinda Russell

Six-time turf winner, who ran into some trouble when a creditable second at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last month; this is a deeper race but she's unexposed on AW and has not had many chances at this trip; respected.

13/2

2nd

4

(3)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

15:27 Southwell (AW)

Wickywickywheels

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lucinda Russell

Six-time turf winner, who ran into some trouble when a creditable second at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last month; this is a deeper race but she's unexposed on AW and has not had many chances at this trip; respected.

13/2

2nd

3

(4)

5th Nov 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Wickywickywheels

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

0-7 and generally disappointing on turf for new stable this year; needs to up her game to land this prize and her only previous AW experience was a down-the-field finish on Dundalk's Polytrack in 2021.

9/1

Form: -93583

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; beaten all 21 times since winning in 2020 on his second start; creditable third in two of his five races this season, including in 20-runner race at York (1m4f) on latest but he's unraced beyond that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

12th Aug 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Toshizou

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

His only win was back in 2020 in a Tipperary maiden; has threatened a few times since and wasn't beaten all that far at York last time, but others appeal more for the win; tries cheekpieces.

13/2

8th

5

(1)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:30 York

Toshizou

9st 12lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Only win in 23 attempts was at Tipperary on second juvenile start (7f, good to yielding) when with Joseph O'Brien; some fair form since, notably when third over C&D off 4lb higher in May (good); poor run over C&D (good to soft) latest.

10/1

13th

7

(1)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Toshizou

9st 13lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Acts on soft; beaten all 22 times since winning in 2020 on second start; creditable third in two of six races this season, including in 20-runner C&D race on penultimate outing; case can be made but not the percentage call.

18/1

14/1

Form: 212-25 C BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Returned to the Flat last spring/summer for three wins (one here) and two seconds; posted career-best form when close second at Musselburgh (12.5f, good to soft) on reappearance this April, two weeks before a disappointing show over C&D, however; this race is above his usual Class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:22 Kelso

Simple Star

11st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Not seen over hurdles since scoring at Perth (2m) last July but he comes here fit from the Flat and was also a good second on this card 12 months ago; considered.

5/1

6th

8

(7)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Simple Star

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Dianne Sayer

Plentiful form at Musselburgh with three C&D wins, including last August for his only Flat win last year (4lb higher today); never dangerous when 50-1 for reappearance here two weeks ago but showed promise from out the back and could be a lot more potent this time.

14/1

Form: 37-412 CD BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Ready C&D winner early last month and creditable second off this mark to Geremia over 1m4f here 12 days later; in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

27

(20)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:00 Curragh

Capital Theory

10st 5lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Had this rider aboard when scoring at Naas nine days ago, with Considering back in third; worth considering; first reserve.

2

(16)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 125y

16:55 Naas

Capital Theory

9st 12lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Step in the right direction at Bellewstown recently (1m4f, soft); drop in trip could suit.

12/1

3rd

2

(5)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 110y

16:33 Bellewstown

Capital Theory

10st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Competitive but below best form in two claimers this summer for current yard and then tailed off in a 2m2f handicap at Down Royal; others appeal more.

12/1

Non-runners

Flash Bardot

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £79.86
Tricast £645.32

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Fairbanks

RP RATINGS:

Capital Theory

TOPSPEED:

Flash Bardot

D Express:

Toshizou

NEWMARKET:

Too Friendly

The Times:

Fairbanks

Telegraph:

Fairbanks

Daily Mirror:

Fairbanks

The Sun:

Fairbanks

The Star:

Fairbanks

Daily Record:

Fairbanks

POSTDATA:

Capital Theory