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

2nd

3

(9)

17th Oct 2026

Good

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

17:15 Catterick

Arrange

10st 1lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Martin Todhunter

Over two years since her last win but she's on a dangerous mark and has been running well since June, including when second over the extended 1m4f at Chester (soft) five weeks ago; good Catterick record includes a win over this trip; solid.

5/2

2nd

11

(1)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:42 Chester

Arrange

10st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Martin Todhunter

Over two years since her last win but she's on a dangerous mark and hasn't been far away in her last three races, albeit over further (2m/1m6f); she does look vulnerable at this trip and was well beaten in her previous visit here.

8/1

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

1st

1

(2)

26th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:45 Ripon

Sax Appeal

10st 4lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Charlie Johnston

Enjoyed a fine 2025 with seven wins at up to 2m; yet to score this season but arrives in good nick, fourth in 2m2f Musselburgh handicap two weeks ago; he's well in the mix off a 2lb lower mark with blinkers refitted.

9/2

4th

1

(7)

12th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

18:50 Musselburgh

Sax Appeal

10st 2lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Charlie Johnston

His strike-rate is better on AW than turf and this inconsistent 6yo was a tailed-off third at Southwell (2m, AW) in July last time; however, before that he was a close third of 20 in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle (2m, AW) and he's shown some good turf form this season; capable of a big run.

11/2

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

6th

5

(7)

7th Aug 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:24 Musselburgh

Alnayef

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Belatedly off the mark when making all to score by 7l at Hamilton (1m5f, good to firm) in June, after a break; managed only third of five when odds-on to follow up there last month and needs to kick on again here.

14/1

3rd

1

(2)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Hamilton

Alnayef

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Finally got off the mark when a wide-margin winner over C&D three weeks ago; able to dictate the pace there so more is probably needed from a 6lb higher mark.

6/4

1st

3

(7)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

18:00 Hamilton

Alnayef

11st 1lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Jim Goldie

17-race maiden who was well beaten on AW last winter on his last two starts; however, he's well handicapped on last season's best efforts, many of which came here, and Eireann Cagney has won the last two runnings of this race; no surprise to see a big performance.

6/1

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

3rd

6

2nd Oct 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

14:48 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

11st 3lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won Class 5 C&D contest (soft) by 23l in May and close fourth off today's mark here (good) the following month but returned from break with low-key Flat run a fortnight ago and, on balance, others in this field look stronger.

9/1

7th

3

(4)

18th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Two Auld Pals

9st 13lb

J: Lexie Clarkson

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

In good form on soft/good over hurdles in May/June when last seen; reverts to the Flat on a mark 2lb lower than when winning at Hamilton (1m5f, good) last June and he's capable of having a big say.

16/1

4th

5

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:43 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

11st 9lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Handled testing conditions best, bounding clear to make it 2-3 over C&D (soft; a 23l winner) four weeks ago; the handicapper has reacted, and he's now 9lb higher moving up into a Class 4; still enters calculations though, with 10lb claimer Gregor Walkingshaw retaining the ride.

7/4

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