Hamilton - Sun 20 Sep 2026
CELTIC STORM showed promise in both previous starts on the Polytrack at Kempton and appears to have been found a good opportunity to get off the mark at the third time of asking. The son of a Listed race winner on heavy ground in France, switching to turf is a logical move for the Richard Hughes-trained colt. Pen Lan Icon is the pick of the rest with experience, although Bowdens won't need to be out of the ordinary to be a bigger danger on his racecourse bow.
SPACE DREAMER supplemented her Brighton maiden success with a forceful display to land a nursery at Bath last week. A 6lb rise obviously complicates matters and conceding weight to the potentially progressive Prosperity Angel won't be easy, assuming she takes a step forward on her debut in a race of this nature. The Resdev Roman and Concert Pitch are other previous winner that also need to be taken seriously.
The uphill finish holds no fears for the recent Carlisle winner ROYAL DUKE, who has adapted well to racing with cheekpieces added and has notably won three times when Rhys Elliott has been in the saddle. That rider's 5lb claim is a handy asset in a wide-open sprint handicap. Fear And Fast had the selection two lengths behind when he won at Musselburgh but might struggle to uphold form off 5lb higher. With that in mind, three-time course winner Impressor might be a bigger danger from a favourable rating.
A return to softer ground conditions saw ANNIE EDSON TAYLOR regain the winning thread over C&D and similar conditions may see her following up. A 4lb rise from the assessor looks workable for the five-year-old and she edges the vote over reopposing fourth Mae Amor. Rebecca Menzies' filly was beaten just under two lengths and enjoys a 5lb swing with the selection. Thunderstorm Katie is the pick of the remainder.
Having filled the runner-up spot on his two previous outings, MAXIMISING gained compensation when running out a ready winner at Windsor last month. The Circus Maximus gelding appeared to relish the cut in the ground and he could make light work of a 5lb higher mark. Dangers are aplenty, headed by Haydock winner Monoceros and runner-up Military Leader, while C&D scorer Matter Of Britain isn't easily dismissed on his handicap bow either.
Last year's winner TEE AITCH AYE looked better than ever when scoring on his favoured soft ground here last time. He overcame an early stumble to win with any amount in hand and Iain Jardine's charge is taken to defy a 7lb hike. The underfoot conditions will also suit Draupnir, who posted a better effort when runner-up at Ripon recently and drops in trip with a shout, while 2024 winner Epidavros is another likely to relish the soft going.
Testing ground is a worry for the recent Carlisle winner Farabove The Limit, so it could pay to stick with UNCLE LIAM. The latter opened his account with a victory over C&D during the summer and posted an even better effort when scoring on the soft going back here last time. A 5lb rise is negated by Lauren Young's allowance and Jim Goldie's inmate is taken to go in again. Flying Moonlight looks pick of the remainder.
CELTIC STORM confirmed his debut promise when third stepped up to a mile at Kempton last time and, with further progress likely on his first start on turf, sets the standard on the balance of form in this contest. Pen Lan Icon built on her debut effort when she finished third at Beverley having been stepped up to 7f from sprinting last time, and can continue her progress with this further step up in trip. Bowdens is a well-bred Australia colt who represents a useful yard and is not ruled out on debut for Charlie Johnston.
SPACE DREAMER has completed a double in her last two starts and, despite a 6lb rise, can complete the hat-trick after scoring by one and a half lengths at Bath last time. Aura Of Melania has been generally consistent and finished runner-up at Catterick last time, although the winner was always doing enough and the market expected better. She is worth another chance dropped to the minimum trip for the first time. The Resdev Roman showed stark improvement from her first two starts when winning at Ripon last time and, with this softer ground and drop in class having brought about a change of form, can go well again on handicap debut.
FEAR AND FAST returned to form when scoring by one and a quarter lengths at Musselburgh last time on his first start since a wind operation and, despite being 5lb higher here, can go well again now he's got his head in front. Royal Duke won at Carlisle three starts ago and has remained competitive, so should remain a threat dropped 1lb for his recent third at Musselburgh. Doon The Glen has won twice at this track and is back on his last winning mark, and with Goldie and Mulrennan a top course combo, he can bounce back from his latest effort
ANNIE EDSON TAYLOR returned to form when winning by one and a quarter lengths here last time and, despite a 4lb rise, can go well again with these softer conditions to suit here once more. Jannas Journey was also back to something like her best when third over this trip last time and, only 1lb higher for that outing, can build on that effort for top course handler Jim Goldie despite being a little quirky. Mae Amor has been consistent of late and was better than the bare result when beaten two lengths here last time. She's 3lb below her C&D-winning mark, and can go well again.
MAXIMISING returned to winning ways when scoring by two lengths at Windsor last time and, despite a 5lb rise, can go well again with these easier conditions to suit him again. Monoceros showed a good attitude when opening his account by a length at Haydock last time and, only 3lb higher, remains on a fair mark and could follow up with replicating that effort. Matter Of Britain won a maiden over C&D by three lengths last time and, despite a wide draw, has been generally consistent in his three starts and can go well again on handicap debut.
TEE AITCH AYE won this narrowly last year and arrives here in form having got back to winning ways when scoring by four lengths here last time. Despite a 7lb rise, he remains capable of this mark and, with conditions in his favour, can follow up. Draupnir was beaten only three quarters of a length at Ripon last time, with the winner always doing enough, and remains on a competitive mark, so should be thereabouts again. Motawaared was caught late when beaten a head at Musselburgh last time and, in fair form since a wind operation, can go well again for top course combo of Goldie and Mulrennan.
UNCLE LIAM returned to winning ways when scoring comfortably by three lengths here last time and, despite a 5lb rise, is in very good form and can go well again for a top course trainer Jim Goldie as he seeks a third course success. Ned Broy improved when winning at Newcastle last time and, with the Iain Jardine yard having won this last year, can go well again despite dropping back in trip. Farabove The Limit opened his account when stepped up to 11f and scoring at Carlisle last time and, with further improvement possible over this slightly longer distance, could follow up despite a 3lb rise.
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