The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 20th September 2026

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Hamilton

Wee Brian Reilly Memorial EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes 2.00
Celtic Storm
Well, I’d be rather inclined to go for Celtic Storm in the opener at Hamilton on Sunday. Having racing experience does swing it in favour of Richard Hughes’s Texas colt, who did catch the eye on his last run at Kempton Park. I would guess that there’ll be a bit of market support for Charlie Johnston’s Bowdens, who’s an Australia colt, and Hugo Palmer’s Charmed Boy would also be on my list with Tom Marquand booked. Plenty of rain about up here in Scotland this weekend, so all about who copes with the deep ground, but I’ll chance my arm with Celtic Storm.

Hamilton Park Nursery Handicap 2.30
The Resdev Roman
I have to say that this Nursery Handicap is all going to be about the ground once again, so I’ll take The Resdev Roman to come out on top. It’s probably going to be between the two top weights, Ollie Sangster’s Space Dreamer and Michael & David Easterbys’ The Resdev Roman, but it’s the latter of this pair that has form on softer ground, so gets the big tick from me. For all that, Space Dreamer looks to have been on an upward curve, scoring at Bath last Saturday under today’s rider Harry Vigors, whose 5lb claim is a useful offset, but Joanna Mason on The Resdev Roman has confirmed form on soft, and that has to be the overriding factor here. Yes, The Resdev Roman to go in at the expense of Space Dreamer, with Dylan Cunha’s Pj’s Corner the best of the rest under Tom Marquand.

Heineken Zero Drink Responsibly At Hamilton Park Handicap 3.00
Kilmac Air
This might be my big gamble of the day at Hamilton, but I do like Kilmac Air for this Handicap. One thing we do know, this Dandy Man filly acts on soft ground, having been with Donnacha O’Brien over in Ireland until last month, and now John & Sean Quinn try her back at the minimum trip, which could be just the ticket from my chair. Jason Hart will be well briefed to keep her closer to the pace, as Kilmac Air has been dropped in while racing in Ireland, and there’ll be plenty of pace on from the front with Fear And Fast likely to go forward after a wind op seemed to bring about some thing extra at Musselburgh last week. Kilmac Air to get upsides of Fear And Fast, with Royal Duke the best of the rest in what looks a pretty ordinary affair.

Molton Brown Luxury Fragrance Fillies’ Handicap 3.30
Annie Edson Taylor (nap)
No surprise to see Phillip Makin’s Annie Edson Taylor getting the thumbs up for this Fillies’ Handicap. She won’t be minding the soft ground, and won well here last time out, getting in a couple of lengths earlier than the reopposing Mae Amor, though there’s a draw in the weights this time around. Ed Bethell’s Persian Spirit has been seen mostly on the all-weather of late, but can’t be discounted, while Jim Goldie’s Jannas Journey could figure if on one her ‘going’ days. Yes, in the final analysis, Annie Edson Taylor looks the safe bet here, with Mae Amor and Persian Spirit in with a chance.

Big Drew Hunter Memorial Handicap 4.00
Maximising (nb)
Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Maximising looks the one to follow here, but Philip Makin’s Military Leader is sure to make a race of it. Now, Maximising won’t be minding deep ground, after a convincing performance at Windsor last month on going with plenty of cut, but similarly, Military Leader flew through the sticky surface at Haydock Park two weeks back, so has to be in contention. I would imagine that David O’Meara’s Matter Of Britain would be setting the fractions from the front, and these are the three I’d expect to be involved at the business end of things. Maximising to be just a bit too good on this slower ground than Military Leader, with the race being set up nicely by Matter Of Britain getting out at the front in the first 6 furlongs.

Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap 4.30
Tee Aitch Aye
I think I’ll back last year’s winner Tee Aitch Aye to defend his title in this 9 furlong Handicap. With softer ground adding to the case for, and a win here in a Class 6 two weeks ago showing he’s in form, Tee Aitch Aye looks easy to back, though Michael & David Easterbys’ Draupnir won’t lack for stamina, being a Golden Horn, so must enter the equation. Jim Goldie’s Motawaared has been ever consistent this term, so with some form on soft warrants a mention, while the brilliant young jockey Billy Loughnane doesn’t seem to know when to lie down, so Ed Bethell’s Bradbury also joins my list. Last year’s winner Tee Aitch Aye has crept back into form of late, so gets the nudge on ground to suit.

Hamilton By Hilton Park Handicap 5.00
Uncle Liam
Given his win over a furlong shorter just about three weeks back, it’s easy to back Jim Goldie’s Uncle Liam for a quick course double. the 5lb rise in the weights is offset by Lauren Young’s 5lb claim, so more of the same please, as our lovely Jaysella would say! Last time out Carlisle winner Farabove The Limit is sure to get some market support, but won’t be liking ground this deep, so only Iain Jardine’s Ned Broy makes limited appeal. Uncle Liam to go in again, with Farabove The Limit making a race of it.