May 04 / 14.35 Hamilton

14.35

Good

Hampton By Hilton Onsite Hotel Buttonhook Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 1m 5f 16y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Hampton By Hilton Onsite Hotel Buttonhook Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 1214-7

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Versatile as regards trip, winning at Ayr (1m2f, good) last August and the Mallard at Doncaster (14.5f, good to soft) the following month; should be all the better for last month's Musselburgh return and makes the shortlist; stable runs three.
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: 38044-

Last run: 172 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Highly tried after winning a Newcastle maiden (1m2f, AW) early last year, but twice made the frame in Listed company on turf/AW including at Lingfield (1m5f) in November; may do even better this year and market support on this return from six months off would be significant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(8)

4th May 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

14:35 Hamilton

Kitteridge

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

prominent, pressed leader from 5f out, no extra final 110yds

5/2

2

(8)

4th May 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

14:35 Hamilton

Kitteridge

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Highly tried after winning a Newcastle maiden (1m2f, AW) early last year, but twice made the frame in Listed company on turf/AW including at Lingfield (1m5f) in November; may do even better this year and market support on this return from six months off would be significant.

5/2

4th

9

(9)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:07 Lingfield (AW)

Kitteridge

9st 0lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hugo Palmer

Second on Polytrack on debut and won a maiden on Tapeta in February; ran in Listed races on next three outings, with remote finishes on last two occasions, before registering her best form when never-nearer fourth of 15 on handicap debut at Newmarket (1m4f, good to soft; 100-1) on latest start; that was a warm race but her form lags well behind a few of these.

25/1

Form: 9212-3

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won at Haydock (2m, good) last summer and made a pleasing return when third of nine at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last month (runner-up has won since); respected down 1lb though she will require a solid pace over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(6)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Arrange

8st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Last won in August 2024; placed in three of eight starts last term and it was a hot race in which she was well beaten at York (40-1) on 2026 return; 15lb below peak mark but others seem to be banging on the door more loudly.

40/1

11th

14

(13)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Arrange

8st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Twice runner-up over 2m from five visits here, plus fourth of 20 in this race in 2024; ran creditably over 1m4f on 2025 return and is 11lb lower for this reappearance, but others seem to be banging on the door more loudly.

20/1

3rd

3

(5)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Arrange

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

First and second in two visits here (1m6f, soft/good to soft); patchy form so far this year and ideally would prefer further, but she has dropped 5lb lower than when last successful; respected.

5/1

Form: 911187

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Handy sort who has gained all five wins on the AW including when completing a hat-trick over 1m4f in February, but has suffered heavy defeats off this mark the last twice; stable (also responsible for Knockbrex) won this last year and a visor replaces blinkers, but he has something to prove back on turf (0-4).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(1)

22nd May 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:07 Goodwood

Sax Appeal

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Very busy and he's had his share of wins, including four over 2m in 2025, but that's been mostly on AW which has dominated his career; best turf ratings were on last two outings but his turf form still needs improvement.

6/1

6th

2

(8)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Sax Appeal

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Something amiss on sole start here (2024); very busy since and he's had his share of wins, including four over 2m in 2025, but that's been mostly on AW (which has dominated career) and his turf form needs improvement.

20/1

3rd

4

(2)

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 32y

Class 3

16:00 Beverley

Sax Appeal

9st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

Prominent racer who posted four wins in the second half of last year, including a C&D defeat of Charging Thunder on good; suffered a heavy defeat on AW last time but it was in a strong Good Friday race at Newcastle and Charging Thunder was once again behind him; a bold show seems likely in these much calmer waters back on turf.

15/8

Form: 334U40

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Mainly consistent on the AW since winning at Lingfield (1m4f) in January, though below form at Chelmsford (1m6f) last time; returns to turf for the first time in over a year (sole win on grass came on soft ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

14:12 Newcastle (AW)

Knockbrex

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Narrow C&D winner (Class 4; 12-1) in November and, broadly speaking, has acquitted himself respectably since; stamina was likely overstretched at Wolverhampton (1m4f) latest; it's interesting that Jack Callan (1-1) returns to the saddle from just 1lb above that winning mark.

4/1

8th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Knockbrex

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

1m2f and 1m4f AW winner, including on Tapeta; backed up November's Newcastle success with a respectable third at Lingfield last month; was below that level at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) latest; drops 1lb and can be competitive if he acts at this track.

9/1

13/2

Form: 1517-0 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Not hard to forgive last month's Musselburgh return as she lost all chance at the start (reared and blindfold removed late), while she has a modest record fresh in any case; however, her record here (5431231311 and 2-4 over C&D) makes her very much one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

Tafsir

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

First visit here; excels at Hamilton, where she was short-headed last month (1m4f, soft), and she was always behind at Ayr on Thursday on a very rare crack at 1m2f (heavy); attempts at this trip have also been scarce but there have been hints that it's a distance at which she could have untapped potential.

16/1

2

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Tafsir

10st 2lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Course winner who was beaten by a short head at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) last time; she excels at Hamilton and has never won over a trip this short, but her surplus stamina may be no bad thing given the testing conditions.

11/2

2nd

2

(1)

22nd Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

15:33 Hamilton

Tafsir

9st 12lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Lost a lot of ground at the start at Ayr last Thursday so there's a risk attached on the back of that; however, in the circumstances she did well to finish third of six (beaten just over 9l) and three of her last four wins have come here (on various ground) including this race last year; capable.

6/1

10/1

Form: 592-

Last run: 205 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Three starts for the Gosdens last year, finishing second of seven in first-time cheekpieces (now removed) at Kempton (1m4f; AW; first start since being gelded) in October; changed hands for 30,000gns soon afterwards and makes his stable/handicap debut after seven months off; worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

17th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Alnayef

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

0-16, he has shown bits of form when placed but his latest effort when eighth of 11 at Wolverhampton (1m6f) three weeks ago following a break was discouraging; his mark continues to fall but hard to recommend for win purposes.

6/1

4th

3

(7)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

16:10 Southwell (AW)

Alnayef

9st 12lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

13-race maiden but there have been some near misses, notably a short-head defeat at Hamilton last month (1m5f, good to soft); soft ground and the trip (2m) possible excuses for two lesser efforts but others are more appealing options.

12/1

4th

3

(7)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

16:10 Southwell (AW)

Alnayef

9st 12lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

13-race maiden but there have been some near misses, notably a short-head defeat at Hamilton last month (1m5f, good to soft); soft ground and the trip (2m) possible excuses for two lesser efforts but others are more appealing options.

12/1

Form: 5362-8 CD

Last run: 110 days

W: 8st 5lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
3-7 over C&D, his latest win coming from 2lb higher (soft) just under a year ago; patchy form since and although he has won on good to firm, softer ground may suit ideally.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Not really firing on all cylinders when last seen in the winter but returns from 12-week break on a good mark and is versatile regarding ground; gained his only hurdle win over C&D; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

12

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Two Auld Pals

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Five-time Flat winner who has a consistent profile over hurdles; handles soft ground but has a bit to find with He's Bresilian on last month's Ayr form.

10/1

3rd

3

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Two Auld Pals

11st 10lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Showed fair form at a juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, winning at Hexham in March 2024 (2m, heavy); didn't progress in handicaps after that; has since won twice over 1m5f on the Flat at Hamilton (good/soft) but below his best on last two Flat runs.

5/1

Selections

POSTDATA:

Faylaq

RP RATINGS:

Tafsir

SPOTLIGHT:

Kitteridge

Daily Mirror:

Arrange

The Times:

Kitteridge

TOPSPEED:

Tafsir

Telegraph:

Tafsir

Daily Record:

Arrange

D Express:

Faylaq

The Sun:

Faylaq

The Star:

Faylaq