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
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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

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

5th

4

(1)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:52 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has won two of three C&D starts (good and good to firm), the latest in July 2024; went very close to breaking the losing run when involved in a tight finish on Southwell AW in March; convincing claims.

9/2

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

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

5th

9

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Mon Na Slieve

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent front-runner who's given a third try in a tongue-tie following a below-par effort back on turf last time (made much of the running from the rail draw at Musselburgh); on a competitive mark if he's on a going day though.

10/1

6th

5

(13)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Mon Na Slieve

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent last year but won twice (5f, good), including over C&D, and he returned to form with a near-miss at Newcastle (5f, AW) last month; major player if he's once more on a going day.

7/1

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

5th

1

(5)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Good Earth

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Herrington

Has been a superb servant, winning 16 of his 99 starts, including three this year; comfortable scorer at Haydock (6f, good to firm) latest, for which he has gone up 6lb; has won over C&D and looks a player again.

2/1

1st

5

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Haydock

Good Earth

9st 7lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Herrington

The winner of two of his six starts this year, both over 6f at Southwell; he could only manage fourth of the nine runners back at Southwell 20 days ago and he will need to raise his game to defy this mark.

6/1

4th

1

(3)

5th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

13:55 Southwell (AW)

Good Earth

9st 12lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Made it 4-15 under Connor Planas when gaining his second C&D success ten days ago; did it comfortably enough and despite a 5lb higher mark, is a major player if in the same form; stable also runs Melissa Honey.

13/2

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

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

6

(9)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:45 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

Won this race off a 12lb higher mark last season (soft); mixed form this season, but creditable third over C&D last time (soft) and having dropped a further 2lb, is a contender.

9/1

4

(2)

22nd Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:08 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 8lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

8yo who has had a regressive campaign but he showed some spark at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) two starts ago; two-time C&D winner on soft/good to soft so today's conditions will be right up his street; chance.

6/1

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