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

1st

5

(7)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

15:33 Redcar

Rajapour

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

It's now 13 starts since his last success but he comes here in good form, challenging wide when fourth of nine in 1m handicap at Pontefract 12 days ago; weighted to go well eased 1lb.

4/1

4th

3

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:18 Pontefract

Rajapour

9st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has made the frame a few times this year including off higher marks, but is just 1-24 since joining this yard; others more compelling.

10/1

9th

14

(17)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:35 Carlisle

Rajapour

9st 5lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Sole win since joining this yard came in a first-time visor at Wolverhampton (8.5f, AW) in December and he's ran some good races since the cheekpieces went on; didn't get the best of passages at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) nine days ago and can be treated as if still in form; up in grade but could go well.

14/1

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

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

5th

5

(5)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Newmarket (July)

Benacre

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Not won on turf since his 2yo days and has gone off the boil, finishing a remote last behind Physique at Beverley a few weeks ago; hard to recommend off the back of that.

12/1

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

1st

4

(3)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

17:17 Redcar

Pisanello

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

On a long losing sequence and he was tried without usual cheekpieces when beating just two in 1m2f Leicester handicap 24 days ago; visor is tried again now but others still appeal more.

13/2

6th

1

(8)

25th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

19:15 Leicester

Pisanello

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Still capable of winning off 30lb higher exactly two years ago, but basically consistent at a lower level these days, and still well suited by a galloping turf track; this step up to 1m4f looks long overdue.

13/2

5th

1

(8)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

21:00 Beverley

Pisanello

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: David O’Meara

Has gone 0-24 since winning over 1m1f at York (good to soft) two years ago and needs to improve on this season's efforts.

6/1

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

8th

8

(9)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 4

17:05 Carlisle

Austrian Theory

9st 6lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Not the force of old but, after a couple of modest efforts, his latest fifth of 18 at York (10.5f, good; first-time cheekpieces) was a step back in the right direction; shaped as though this stiffer test might suit on that occasion so interesting to see if the headgear works a second time for in-form yard.

16/1

5th

12

(15)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Austrian Theory

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Not the best of strike-rates and not been in top form this year; cheekpieces now tried but has a tricky draw to overcome; well handicapped now.

20/1

7th

8

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

Austrian Theory

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

On a losing run and went backwards from C&D reappearance fifth to Spioradalta when well held at Hamilton a fortnight ago; on a career-low mark but need to see more.

14/1

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

3

(6)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Cavallo Pazzo

9st 12lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Daragh Bourke

6yo who has a regressive profile but he kept on into mid-division over 7f here (good to soft) three weeks ago and the return to 1m and more testing ground could be in his favour, with both wins having come on heavy going; interesting contender off an ever-falling mark.

9/1

1

(6)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:45 Ayr

Cavallo Pazzo

9st 12lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Daragh Bourke

Gained his Irish wins on heavy ground and he produced a clear best effort for current yard on soft (now 9lb lower) when fourth of nine at Redcar last November; revival plausible when he returns to those conditions.

20/1

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