September 30 / 15.00 Hamilton

15.00

Good To Soft

Bardykes Farm Nursery School Handicap

  • Prize money: £3925.5
  • 1m 0f 68y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Bardykes Farm Nursery School Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

Form: 20-216

Last run: 114 days

W: 10st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Resumed winning ways at Ripon (1m2f) in May but he raced very lazily when beating only one at Beverley (1m2f) following month; he has gone well off a break before though so can't be discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

18th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

15:22 Pontefract

Contrast

9st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Veteran who picked up the latest of his eight wins when scoring at Ripon (1m2f, good) last May; hasn't threatened in three starts this year, latterly in cheekpieces, and his powers of destruction may finally be on the wane; blinkers back on for the first time in over four years.

20/1

10

(7)

4th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Contrast

10st 11lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Veteran who has picked up a race or two up to 1m2f in most seasons but has had just two runs this term, well beaten; won off 1lb higher last May; now tries cheekpieces (first headgear since 2021) and he's only once been over this sort of trip (2019).

25/1

Form: 808190 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Ended a losing run over C&D in July but has been well held on both runs since in 1m1f/7f handicaps at Carlisle; he needs to take a big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(9)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

15:50 Carlisle

Gainsbourg

9st 8lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Daragh Bourke

Of interest on 2024 form; two heavy defeats last summer and now returns from 344 days off; cheekpieces back on and he needs a market check.

25/1

10th

10

(1)

6th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Ayr

Gainsbourg

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Daragh Bourke

Brings positives, being a dual course scorer who is back on last winning mark; the negative is that he dropped right away and finished tailed-off last on seasonal debut.

25/1

12th

2

(4)

16th Jun 2025

Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Carlisle

Gainsbourg

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Daragh Bourke

Has two wins on soft but this is his first run on the Flat since last October, and first since pulled up over hurdles in November, and was below his best on all three previous visits to this track; best watched.

14/1

Form: 134228 D BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Already a four-time 7f/1m winner in 2024 and he didn't enjoy the rub of the green when eighth at Carlisle (7f) 19 days ago, when set too much to do; it would come as no surprise to see him on the premises once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

(8)

13th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

15:42 Beverley

Makalu

9st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Four wins last year included one over C&D; made a winning return at Southwell (1m, AW) in March but well beaten back on turf twice since; not quite sure what to expect.

16/1

5th

12

(8)

13th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

15:42 Beverley

Makalu

9st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Four wins last year included one over C&D; made a winning return at Southwell (1m, AW) in March but well beaten back on turf twice since; not quite sure what to expect.

16/1

11th

14

(4)

3rd May 2025

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:30 Thirsk

Makalu

9st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

Reappeared with a win at Southwell (1m, AW) in March but then ran badly behind Jez Bomb and three more of these over C&D 11 days ago.

11/1

Form: 743553 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Yet to score this term but he got right back on track when third of 12 in 1m Ayr handicap ten days ago; scored twice over 1m last autumn and he's weighted to go well here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(8)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

20:52 Pontefract

Mount King

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

A dual C&D winner in 2025; yet to hit top form this season but took a step back in the right direction with fifth of nine over C&D ten days ago; blinkers replace usual cheekpieces here and not out of things.

7/1

5th

9

(8)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:18 Pontefract

Mount King

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Three of his four wins have come over C&D and is 5lb lower than for the latest a year ago; well beaten in his last two visits, though, so has something to prove.

16/1

6th

4

(5)

21st Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:35 Pontefract

Mount King

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Three of his four wins have come over C&D (from 11 visits to Pontefract) and latest was off 3lb higher last July; he therefore cannot be comfortably dismissed despite being well held on all three starts (two here) this term.

12/1

Form: 462445 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
In good form without winning in 2024 until turning in a below-par fifth of nine over 1m1f here eight days ago; this three-time C&D scorer is the sort to bounce back though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(12)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Shine On Brendan

9st 13lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

8yo who is 0-9 this year but he's run some good races, most recently third at Hamilton (1m, soft) off 2lb higher, and he won this 12 months ago (good); there's every chance he'll be thereabouts.

7/1

3rd

6

(5)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:00 Hamilton

Shine On Brendan

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Nine-time winner (five times here) who won't mind what the weather does; yet to hit the target this season, though, and both runs this month have been disappointing; others have less to prove.

14/1

6th

5

(5)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:13 Hamilton

Shine On Brendan

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Runner-up twice this summer but form dipped last time; the 8yo is a five-time course winner and could go well returned to Hamilton.

15/2

Form: 381132 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Has proved somewhat temperamental but she backed up 1m2f wins at Leicester and Ripon in August with a good second of six in 1m3f seller here eight days ago; ought to be in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:55 Nottingham

Bay Dream Believer

9st 5lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Landed her seventh win when scoring at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last month but has run below par at Ripon and Musselburgh since; the step back in trip is also unlikely to play to her strengths.

10/1

6th

3

(5)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

14:00 Musselburgh

Bay Dream Believer

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Mark Walford

Landed hat-trick last August and hit the target at Pontefract two runs ago (all 1m2f); follow-up effort at Ripon, where she's won three times, was bitterly disappointing 13 days ago and her favoured hold-up tactics aren't easy to execute around here.

5/1

7th

2

(8)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Ripon

Bay Dream Believer

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Mark Walford

All of her seven turf wins have been on good/good to firm but she's effective on good to soft; well held in first three runs this season but she got back on the scoresheet with a strong finish at Pontefract (1m2f, good) two weeks ago; up 3lb for that narrow success but she's 3-6 over C&D and she defied this mark here last summer; key player.

2/1

Form: 685646 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Without a win since landing 1m Newcastle handicap in January and he's been largely below par of late, beating only one at Musselburgh (1m) 15 days ago; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(12)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Ayr

Trais Fluors

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Linda Perratt

Oldest contender in this field; gained last five wins on Newcastle AW and hasn't scored on turf for three years; brings mixed recent handicap form to classified debut.

8/1

7th

6

(8)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:07 Newcastle (AW)

Trais Fluors

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

Veteran (13-103), latest win C&D (from 5lb higher) on New Year's Day; out of sorts lately, so perhaps age is beginning to catch up with him.

20/1

Form: 383402 D BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Without a victory since 2022 but he comes here in decent nick, runner-up in 1m1f handicap here eight days ago; can make his presence felt once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:33 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Proving expensive to follow but continues to run well now and again and can't be left out of calculations even though down the field here yesterday.

20/1

9th

9

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:33 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Proving expensive to follow but continues to run well now and again and can't be left out of calculations even though down the field here yesterday.

20/1

10th

8

(1)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:39 Newcastle (AW)

Tilsitt

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Has never attempted this far on the AW before, but he has run well over similar trips on turf; losing run of 31 is a concern, though.

10/1

Form: 18-573 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
A fair 1m juvenile winner who posted a very good third of nine in 1m Ayr handicap in July; has few miles on the clock so she needs considering after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(10)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:40 Newcastle (AW)

Volcanology

9st 3lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Won a 1m Brighton maiden in October 2023 (good to firm); mixed form at up to 1m2f this term; on a good mark; each-way chance.

7/1

8th

9

(10)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:40 Newcastle (AW)

Volcanology

9st 3lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Won a 1m Brighton maiden in October 2023 (good to firm); mixed form at up to 1m2f this term; on a good mark; each-way chance.

7/1

4th

6

(2)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

15:50 Newcastle (AW)

Volcanology

9st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Not the only runner who posted duck eggs the last twice and needs to rebound; inconsistent since maiden win last autumn but best form gives her a fighting chance off current mark.

10/1

Form: 045670

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
A fair 1m4f winner in 2023 but he's yet to hit top form this term, tenth of 12 in 1m Ayr handicap ten days ago; needs a step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

14th Oct 2024

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Sutue Alshams

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

raced in third and in touch with leaders, went second over 6f out, ridden and led narrowly 3f out, kept on and went clear final 110yds

16/1

11

(12)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:00 Hamilton

Sutue Alshams

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Iain Jardine

A fair 1m4f winner in 2023 but he's yet to hit top form this term, tenth of 12 in 1m Ayr handicap ten days ago; needs a step forward.

20/1

10th

10

(4)

20th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Ayr

Sutue Alshams

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Just the one win from 13 and that was over 1m4f last August; quiet this year and now runs over 1m, the shortest trip he's contested since 7f debut; risky enough.

12/1

14/1

Form: 305717 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Gained a belated maiden victory over C&D but he raced freely upped to 1m2f when only seventh of ten at Pontefract 11 days ago; he can't be discounted back in trip here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Likleman

10st 6lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

1-29 under rules, the win coming on the Flat at Hamilton (1m4f) last September; tailed off after doing far too much early on stable debut at Newcastle (2m1f, good) in March; hard to fancy despite the application of a tongue-tie.

50/1

10

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Likleman

10st 6lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

1-29 under rules, the win coming on the Flat at Hamilton (1m4f) last September; tailed off after doing far too much early on stable debut at Newcastle (2m1f, good) in March; hard to fancy despite the application of a tongue-tie.

50/1

9th

9

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Likleman

10st 2lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Won off basement mark on the Flat for Simon West in September and has shown some hurdling ability this year, but his tendency to pull hard is a serious worry before this stable/handicap debut; 2lb wrong.

33/1

Non-runners

Shahnaz

Selections

The Guardian:

Tilsitt

POSTDATA:

Bay Dream Believer

SPOTLIGHT:

Mount King

The Times:

Makalu

Telegraph:

Bay Dream Believer

RP RATINGS:

Mount King

Daily Record:

Mount King

Daily Mail:

Makalu

D Express:

Tilsitt

Daily Mirror:

Tilsitt

The Star:

Tilsitt