September 30 / 16.10 Hamilton

16.10

Good To Soft

Barbara Ann Letham And Son Johnathan Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £8897.8
  • 0m 5f 7y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Barbara Ann Letham And Son Johnathan Memorial Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 191637 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
A dual 5f scorer this term but he came in only seventh of nine in 6f Thirsk handicap last month; he's the sort to bounce back, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 4

14:35 Pontefract

Ventura Express

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

On a near two-year losing spell but he's a four-time C&D winner and can't be dismissed off his reduced mark; made the frame in last two starts, latest back at Pontefract.

6/1

4th

2

(10)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Ventura Express

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Four of his six wins have come over C&D, including the corresponding race in 2024; drew a blank in 2025 but retains ability and he has run some solid races in defeat this year too, keeping on for fourth at Beverley 18 days ago; drops in class but he has the widest stall to contend with.

8/1

4th

7

(6)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

9yo who is on an 18-race losing run; good second over C&D last July (good to firm) and is now 3lb lower.

10/1

Form: 54-575 D

Last run: 87 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Winless since his debut but has encouraging form this term, fifth in 5f Doncaster handicap in July; has since had wind surgery and needs considering after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:02 Beverley

Mon Na Slieve

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Prominent racer; on a good mark and his latest Hamilton third offered hope he would be adding to his tally soon; tongue-tie returns today; considered.

9/2

3rd

8

(3)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

19:30 Hamilton

Mon Na Slieve

9st 6lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten just a nose at Newcastle (5f, AW) in March and close fifth of 13 over this C&D (good) last month; might not be far away if he's on a going day but he's been up and down this season and was soundly beaten at Thirsk (5f, good) last time.

11/1

12th

9

(16)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Mon Na Slieve

9st 4lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent front-runner but was close up behind Vantheman at Hamilton and this flatter track could suit better; respected.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 693115 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Landed 5f handicaps at Newmarket and Sandown last month then posted a good fifth off this mark at Doncaster (5f) 15 days ago; that form has been franked so he's a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

19

(18)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Good Earth

9st 2lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Won this race in 2022 as a 5yo; no sign of his enthusiasm waning this year, winning three 6f handicaps, and stepping back up in trip will suit after two good 5f efforts last month; chance.

11/1

2nd

2

(6)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:07 Newmarket (July)

Good Earth

9st 13lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Ideally suited by an easy 6f or stiff 5f and knows how to win; turned in a solid effort at his beloved Sandown last weekend and remains reliable despite his age, but there's not much room for manoeuvre off this mark.

5/1

4th

7

(3)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

13:38 Sandown

Good Earth

9st 3lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Multiple winner but went up 6lb for his 2l win at Haydock and that counted when fifth at Catterick; however, he does have a very solid record here.

8/1

Form: 630711 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Arrives on a hat-trick after back-to-back C&D victories; has a 6lb higher mark to overcome now but he's not taken lightly in his current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(1)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Thirsk

Moonstone Boy

9st 12lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jennie Candlish

Four wins over 5f for Iain Jardine, but unplaced in three starts on the AW since returning for this yard in January; 8lb below last winning mark, but drying ground and return to 6f pose questions; cheekpieces return.

12/1

7th

2

(12)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Moonstone Boy

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jennie Candlish

A fair 5f scorer for Iain Jardine; shaped encouragingly for his new yard when fourth at Southwell (5f) in January but raced too freely over 6f when seventh at Wolverhampton since; can bounce back here.

16/1

7th

5

(8)

16th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Moonstone Boy

9st 5lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Jennie Candlish

Campaigned mostly over 5f; posted a resurgent effort at Southwell on stable/seasonal debut; successful twice off current mark, so holds possibilities provided he's as effective back at 6f.

12/1

Form: 260007 CD

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Scored at Nottingham (5f) in July and not disgraced when seventh in 5f Haydock handicap two days ago; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

21st Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Never Dark

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Iain Jardine

Winner of nine races, all over 5f including two here, but has dropped 18lb below his last winning mark for a reason; didn't show enough on his recent return from nine months off to make him of immediate interest.

8/1

6th

6

(5)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:11 Ayr

Never Dark

10st 8lb

J: Mr Freddie Robson

T: Iain Jardine

On a long losing run and he ended 2025 below par in 5f handicaps at Hamilton and Haydock last autumn; needs to hit the ground running after eight months off.

20/1

7th

8

(10)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Haydock

Never Dark

8st 13lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Iain Jardine

C&D winner in 2023; landed a ninth win when scoring at Hamilton last September and finished third to Impressor there (also 5f, soft) last month; reared in stalls and weakened quickly at that venue one week later, though; career-low mark can only help.

16/1

Form: 236725

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
It's now 16 outings since her last victory but she comes here in good order, fifth of 11 at Ripon (6f) last month; she's one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(9)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

16:10 Hamilton

Origintrail

8st 13lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

It's now 16 outings since her last victory but she comes here in good order, fifth of 11 at Ripon (6f) last month; she's one for the shortlist.

8/1

5th

3

(8)

27th Aug 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Ripon

Origintrail

9st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ben Haslam

Beaten on her last 15 starts going back to May 2022 but has often run really well in the interim, including when going close in this last year (good) and when runner-up here (5f, good) three weeks ago in first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces (both retained); also effective on slow ground; player.

7/1

Form: 310409 C BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Course winner in August but she beat only one back here (6f) eight days ago; it would come as no surprise to see her bounce back, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(1)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 3

15:52 Musselburgh

Rock Melody

8st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Record of 0-9 this season but she's much better off with Jannas Journey on C&D running four starts ago; successful off higher marks in this race for the last two years; very attractively weighted and warrants respect.

11/2

6th

9

(3)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Ayr

Rock Melody

8st 12lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Soft-ground winner who is below her last winning mark and ran some pretty good races in defeat last month; however, she made it 0-8 for the year when finishing last here (7f, soft) last week and has to bounce back.

14/1

9

(4)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Rock Melody

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

In reasonable form, having made the frame in last three starts, latest over C&D when one place behind Quest For Fun; 2lb below last winning mark; enters the reckoning.

8/1

Form: 117-00 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
A dual 5f AW scorer at two but he's cut little ice in two turf runs this summer, beating only one at York (5f) 22 days ago; he needs to take a big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(3)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Monks Dream

9st 4lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Has gained all four of his wins at Newcastle, with the most recent of those successes coming there over 5f 16 days ago; 3lb rise looks fair but he was well beaten when last seen over 6f.

8/1

1st

2

(4)

4th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Monks Dream

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

All three of his wins have come at Newcastle and he has run some good races this winter, including his latest third when keeping on after an awkward start (not his first); capable at this level; respected.

9/2

Non-runners

Digital

Selections

The Times:

Moonstone Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Good Earth

Daily Mirror:

Mon Na Slieve

D Express:

Origintrail

POSTDATA:

Ventura Express

RP RATINGS:

Never Dark

Telegraph:

Moonstone Boy

The Guardian:

Moonstone Boy

Daily Mail:

Moonstone Boy

The Sun:

Moonstone Boy

The Star:

Moonstone Boy

TOPSPEED:

Good Earth

Daily Record:

Good Earth