Horseracing Selections - Hamilton, 20 July 2006
Hamilton , 20 July 2006
2:20 Weatherbys Bank Maiden Auction Stakes (qualifier)
In a tricky affair with little form to go on, Tobago Reef is taken to make it third time lucky.Brenin Gwalia is an interesting contender here, having started at 25-1 on his debut at Wolverhampton. He belied that starting price, running prominently and finishing second, having been outpaced in the closing stages. He should be sharper this time although the form is questionable. Ian Semple�s Stay Active hails from a yard in form and should improve for his debut at Ayr where he ran green. This is a weak contest and he must be considered. Lemon Silk has the benefit of two previous runs, the latest of which was when finishing fifth at Carlisle. The second won impressively at Beverley on Tuesday so the form looks solid. Tobago Reef ran well on his debut at Hamilton finishing a good third before finishing down the field at Carlisle on his second start. The form though has started to work out well and a chance is taken that Tobago Reef can lose his maiden tag.
2:50 Dorothy And Arthur Balding Handicap
Rancho Cucamonga, Viewforth and Chairman Bobby are the ones to look at here and Rancho Cucamonga can lead them home. Rancho Cucamonga looks to have a leading chance here on the basis of his Hamilton defeat of Paddywack, form which was boosted when the runner up scored at Beverley on Tuesday. He races off the same mark here and is due to go up three pounds in future handicaps. Viewforth is a consistent type and ran well behind the selection, beaten less than two lengths but has something to find, having had a long winless run. Chairman Bobby is another who has slipped down the handicap and his two most recent efforts suggest the eight year old is not without a chance although he has also found it difficult to win. Rancho Cucamonga can win again.
3:20 Weatherbys Bank Conditions Stakes
This is a race that could turn out to be a tactical affair but Metropolitan Man can take advantage of this opportunity.Desert Realm has been highly tried by Mark Johnston after winning a Carlisle maiden as a two year old and has consequently struggled to win. This represents a good opportunity however and with the yard going well he is given a leading chance. Metropolitan Man has a similar profile in that he has won once as a two year old and has not won since. However, he has been running at the highest level, and ran with great credit in the St James Palace Stakes. That followed two very good runs at Newmarket and he will be hard to beat. Metropolitan Man can prove too smart for his rivals. Onlybayinvillage is outclassed here on the basis of his debut run but can claim the third place prize money with Metropolitan Man having the class to take this.
3:55 Bill Mcharg Handicap
Noble Nova is taken to score in a competitive contest with Insubordinate his biggest danger. Insubordinate�s defeat of Cottingham here last time gives him a leading chance with the runner up scoring in fine style at Newcastle on Tuesday night. He is slightly inconsistent but had run a good race to be a close second three outings ago and is in good heart. He will be hard to beat. Noble Nova has been very busy, having won three races in nine days and is hard to oppose. He carries a six pound penalty but still runs off the same mark as his latest Ayr success. Anthemion is six pounds better off with Insubordinate for a two length beating here last time but hasn�t won for over a year and Insubordinate can uphold the form. This is a tricky contest, with some good form to ponder over but Insubordinate�s burden of top weight may allow Noble Nova to register a four timer.
4:30 Amanda Forsyth 'forty Fabulous Years' Claiming Stakes
Pomfret Lad, Howard�s Princess and Limonia are the three to consider here, and Pomfret Lad can take this contest.Pomfret Lad hails from the bang in form John Quinn yard, and with the stable�s sprinters in such good heart, he merits serious consideration. He scored at Ripon before running well for a long way at Haydock, only back pedaling in the closing stages. He has won twice this season and this could be his third success. Howard�s Princess last won over this course and distance in September and has run well here recently, finishing second on her last visit to the track two outings ago. She has run disappointingly since but is back at the track for which she reserves her best performances and can go well. Limonia won here earlier this month but is now four pounds worse off for a neck win over Howard�s Princess, and given her inconsistency, Limonia can be taken on. Pomfret Lad appears to hold the most solid claims and he can lead them home.
5:00 Daily Record Handicap
After scoring at Musselburgh, Folkestone and Yarmouth, Alambic can complete a four timer for Sir Mark Prescott, with recent winners, Bronze Dancer and Abstract Folly others to look at. It�s significant that Alambic is turned out quickly after his Yarmouth success of two days ago before the handicapper has a chance to re-assess him and he carries a six pound penalty here. He has appreciated being stepped up in trip this season and can be followed until beaten. Abstract Folly doubled his winning tally when scoring at Catterick last time, when waiting tactics worked the oracle. He is capable of running well here but is up against a well handicapped rival and given his wins to runs ratio he can be taken on. Bronze Dancer upset a short priced favourite over the course and distance last time and can go well, but a six pound penalty may be prohibitive and his wins to runs ratio does not bode well
5:35 Betfair Apprentice Series Handicap
This is a tricky handicap with some reasonable form to work on, with The Pen the suggestion to take it. Grand Roche has finished second on five occasions and has a form chance on the basis of his recent run over the course and distance when finishing second to Unique Moment. The winner has gone in since, but Grand Roche reverts to handicap company from claiming class here and faces tougher rivals. The Pen scored over hurdles this winter and has been in winning form on the level, scoring at Beverley before finding the opposition too hot in the competitive Ladies Derby at Ripon. Well handicapped despite top weight, The Pen can go well here. Kyle of Lochalsh won well at Musselburgh three outings ago and although running well next time, he was well beaten on his latest start and probably needs to drop back down the ratings. The Pen is racing off the same mark as when last successful and has a winning opportunity here.
