The Mandarin’s Hamilton Racecard for 21st September 2025

The Mandarin’s Hamilton Racecard for Sunday 21st September

Usave Business Energy Consultancy EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes 2.13
Myrrh
This is likely to be a toss-up between David O’Meara’s Myrrh and Iain Jardine’s Mehsun, with the winner being the on that copes with the soft ground. First up, Myrrh’s strengths on her debut under rules were that she was running on late into that race at Beverley, though this is going to be very different going, while Iain Jardine’s Mehsun ran well enough first time out here to finish third, but as the rider dropped his whip might have had even more to come. I’ll take the chance on Myrrh, who should see out this extra trip if not scuppered by the ground.

Moira Stein Memorial Handicap 2.43
Giselles Izzy (nap)
Last year’s winner Kyber Crystal will have her followers for Rebecca Menzies, but I’ll take a chance on Iain Jardine’s consistent Giselles Izzy. She won’t be minding the cut in the ground here at Hamilton, where it will be to her advantage to be come out of one of the low draws, and although she usually plies her trade over 6-7 furlongs, I don’t see this drop in trip being an issue considering the going. Kyber Crystal does have the notable booking of Oisin Orr, while the in-form Canaria Queen completes my list, with Giselles Izzy edging it.

Big Drew Hunter Memorial Selling Stakes 3.13
Arkinthestars
Just the four lining up, but a bit of a puzzler all the same. I do think that Arkinthestars can win this, if coping with conditions and seeing out this trip, but if not Ocean Of Dreams running under a penalty can capitalise. They’ve got previous too, with Arkinthestars finishing 3 lengths ahead of Ocean Of Dreams last time out in a Seller at Goodwood. Charlie Johnston’s Cayman Dancer hails from a yard that won this last year, and should also be in the shake-up, but Arkinthestars gets the nudge.

Usave Business Energy Specialist Fillies’ Handicap 3.43
Annie Edson Taylor
Last time out winner Annie Edson Taylor has been progressing well in the second half of this term, so can score again if taking this step up in grade. The higher side of the draw doesn’t really help the cause on this soft ground, and with 2022 & 2023 winner Iris Dancer getting the inside stall, and fellow course winner Amayretto also lining up, Annie Edson Taylor does have to improve again. Every chance she can, so Annie Edson Taylor gets a tentative vote.

Every Race Live On TV Handicap 4.13
Arkenstaar (nb)
Horses for courses here as Arkenstaar returns to his favourite hunting ground. This soft going won’t bother him, and the one question is can he see out this 9 furlong trip? Previous attempts beyond a mile show Arkenstaar only scoring once at any trip over 8 furlongs, and that was here in 2023, but on good to firm ground. That doesn’t really answer the question then, but he’s still five so it’s not impossible there’s more to come. I think there’s enough of a case for Arkenstaar, so he gets my vote ahead of Donald Whillans Naturalia.

Heineken Low & No Bar Handicap 4.43
Hour By Hour
It’s a pretty wide open Handicap this, but it could pay to side with Iain Jardine’s Hour By Hour. This Time Test gelding comes from a favoured lower side of the draw, especially on this soft going, and with a decent record at this track has as good a chance as any. Showtime Mahomes didn’t put his best hoof forward, as it were, at Ripon last time out, but I’m going to draw a line through that and say that on this ground he has to be on my shortlist, along with Phillip Makin’s Impressor. Hour By Hour to notch up another Hamilton win, but there’s not much in it.

Hampton By Hilton Hamilton Park Handicap 5.13
Jaminoz
The hat-trick seeking Jaminoz gets my vote for the closer at Hamilton. He won here over a furlong shorter eighteen days back, and although he’s gone up to over 10st for that one and three-quarter length win, I think he might still have enough in the tank in this grade to see off Iain Jardine’s Cougar, who rates the main danger. Liam Bailey’s Elvington completes my list of three with Sam James returning to the saddle, but Jaminoz looks the one to follow.

The Mandarin