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John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes

Ayr · 20 July 2026
  • TypeFlat
  • ClassClass 5
  • Distance1m
  • GoingGood To Firm
  • SurfaceTurf
  • Runners9
  • HandicapYes

Hale End (IRE) (9/4J) won the John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr on 20 July 2026, beating Starliner (IRE) by three-quarters of a length under Sean Kirrane for trainer Michael Dods. 9 ran on Good To Firm going over 1m; the winning time was 1m 36.39s.

Winner Hale End (IRE)
SP: 9/4J J: Sean Kirrane T: Michael Dods O: Game On Racing
Pos No Horse Btn Jockey Trainer Wgt ORKTBSpd Time Prize SP BSP
1st 1(1) Hale End (IRE) p 6g Mehmas (IRE) – Would It Matter (IRE) (Morpheus) Game On Racing up with the pace and going comfortably from the start - moved into third 2f out - driven 1f out - hit the front inside the final 110yds and stayed on strongly Sean Kirrane Michael Dods 9-9 75102A117A 1:36.39 4,187 9/4J 3.75
2nd 8(2) Starliner (IRE) v 5g Prominent Showcasing (GB) – Dawning (USA) (War Chant) David Orr Miss L A Perratt close up with the front pack - moved into second 3f out - went to the front 2f out - driven along when overtaken inside the final 110yds but stayed on ¾ William Pyle Linda Perratt 8-9 6186A116A 1:36.52 1,965 11/1 14.00
3rd 6(4) Runninsonofagun (IRE) b 4g Inns Of Court (IRE) – High Society Lady (IRE) (Society Rock) R Nichol went straight to the front and dictated a sharp gallop - driven when overtaken inside the final furlong - responded and stayed on inside the final 110yds without finding more close home nk Jason Hart Tristan Davidson 8-13 6089A116A 1:36.56 982 9/4J 3.50
4th 4(6) Donna Nook (GB) tv 4f Prominent Bated Breath (GB) – Rostova (USA) (Arch) Mr M J Macleod close up early before easing back through the field after 1f - made progress 2f out - edged right under pressure 1f out but stayed on 3½ Daniel Tudhope David O'Meara 9-6 7285A110A 1:37.14 491 6/1 7.96
5th 5(3) Benacre (IRE) p 6g Australia (GB) – Sent From Heaven (IRE) (Footstepsinthesand) Susan And John Waterworth towards the back of the pack - made progress from 2f out to close on the front-runners - faded inside the final 110yds ¾ Oliver Stammers Charlie Johnston 9-6 7283A109A 1:37.27 245 11/1 17.00
6th 3(8) Cisco Disco (IRE) 8g Elzaam (AUS) – Sovereign Street (GB) (Compton Place) Mrs Camille Macdonald racing in the pack - slipped towards the back 3f out and found little 2f out - faded quickly 5½ Paul Mulrennan R Mike Smith 9-7 7368A100A 1:38.18 — 50/1 100.00
7th 7(5) Mayor Of Maghera (GB) p 4g Kessaar (IRE) – Oh Simple Thing (IRE) (Compton Place) Mr R Michael Smith in the pack - shifted towards the middle of the course from 3f out - found nothing 1f out and dropped away ¾ Sam James R Mike Smith 8-11 6355A98A 1:38.31 — 11/1 14.50
8th 9(7) Keep Me Stable (IRE) 6m Galileo Gold (GB) – Sketching (GB) (Nathaniel) The Hon Miss Heather Galbraith dwelt at the start and settled towards the back - driven along and edged into contention 2f out - faded 1f out 2 Andrew Mullen Linda Perratt 8-9 6147A95A 1:38.64 — 66/1 120.00
9th 2(9) Krissy (IRE) 5m Calyx (GB) – Advertising Space (IRE) (Galileo) Mr James Mearns Long up with the pace - driven from 3f out and losing ground 2f out - faded quickly and was well beaten by the finish 12 Rhys Elliott(5) Jim Goldie 9-2 7350C75C 1:40.64 — 13/2 9.31

Winning time 1m 36.39s

KTB figures KTB Rating v1 · batch 3 Oct 2026 — what each horse ran to in this race, in pounds on the official-rating scale (9 of 9 runners have a figure). KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 — how fast each horse ran against the course standard; 100 = the median GB Class 4 handicap winner on this code (9 of 9 runners have a figure). GB & Irish racing only · figures as at 4 Oct 2026 · a record of the race, not a forecast.

Returns

Tote Win £3.25
Tote Place £1.20 £2.90 £1.20
Exacta £26.50
CSF £31.20
Trifecta £94.20
KTB Intelligence AI race report

Hale End won the John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr over a mile on good to firm ground, returning 9/4 joint favourite. The winner raced prominently from the start, moved into third two furlongs out, was driven a furlong from home and hit the front inside the final 110 yards, staying on strongly to win by three-quarters of a length. Starliner tracked the leaders, went second three furlongs out, took the lead two furlongs from home and was headed inside the final 110 yards, keeping on to finish second. Runninsonofagun finished third.

The pre-race read Ayr 4:00 Race Preview — 20 July 2026 A competitive Class 5 handicap over a mile at Ayr on good to firm ground brings together nine runners, several of whom have shown ability around this venue. How we read it before the off →
How we called it Won
KTB Selection Hale End 59/100 top-rated of 9
SP 9/4J Finished 1st

Scored before the off and published unchanged. Every call is shown, won or lost.

Quick answers

Who won the John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr in 2026?
Hale End (IRE) won the John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr on 20 July 2026, ridden by Sean Kirrane and trained by Michael Dods.
What was the finishing order of the 2026 John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr?
1st Hale End (IRE) (9/4J), 2nd Starliner (IRE) (11/1), 3rd Runninsonofagun (IRE) (9/4J).
What price was the winner of the 2026 John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr?
Hale End (IRE) returned a starting price of 9/4J, with a Betfair SP of 3.75.
How many horses ran in the 2026 John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr?
9 horses ran in the 2026 John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr.
What was the winning time of the 2026 John Hamilton ScotRail Celebration Handicap Stakes at Ayr?
The winning time was 1m 36.39s.

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