Oli Bell previews the Sunday Series card from Hamilton and provides a selection for every race.
The Sky Bet Sunday Series is returning for a sixth year and welcomes a new charity partner in Young Lives vs Cancer.
The ever-popular Series is a strategic collaboration between Flutter, RMG, ITV, HorsePWR and the host racecourses and has now delivered nearly £5m in additional prizemoney since its launch in 2021.
The series will span five fixtures starting at Musselburgh (April 12 and 26) before rolling on to Hamilton Park (May 17) before crossing the border for the remaining two cards at Thirsk (May 31) and Pontefract (August 16).
There are plenty of prizes on offer, including £100,000 to the connections of the first horse to win three races across the Series which was won last year by Spring Is Sprung, trained by Paul Midgley and owned by John Blackburn. There is the inaugural Jockeys’ Cup and a £25,000 first prize for the jockey who picks up most points across the Series, with £5,000 on offer for second, and £3,000 for third. Stable Staff will have the opportunity to win cash prizes, with a total of £15,000 (£10k, £3k, £2k) to be paid out to the stable staff of the first three trainers in the Series. In addition, Sky Bet will once again kindly sponsor and offer £250 for the Best Turned Out in each race.
Hamilton Course Guide
Right handed, sharp, undulating. There are steep gradients into and out of a pronounced hollow just over three furlongs from the winning post, with a severe hill up to the finish. Runners are soon on the turn over a mile/nine furlongs with those ridden prominently generally outperforming those coming from a bit further back. When the ground becomes testing, runners generally stick to the far rail.
Oli Bell's race-by-race selections
15:45 Enter ITV7 For Free EBF Novice Stakes
George Boughey is yet to really get going with his two-year-olds this season but he gave a positive mention for THIS MOMENT in the Dan Briden Two-Year-Old Guide recently and it looks significant he's sending him to Scotland to debut in this valuable contest. He gets a narrow vote.
16:15 Sun's 'Save Our Bets' Handicap
He looked rusty on his return over five furlongs and MO OF CAIRO will be a different proposition on Sunday with that run under his belt. Back up to six, the trip over which he was second in an ultra-competitive nursery at last year's Sky Bet Ebor Festival, he makes plenty of appeal.
16:45 Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap
He's three pounds worse off with Ride The Thunder after beating that rival by three-quarters-of-a-length on his final start of last year but VALIANCY can confirm that superiority. He progressed with racing last season, can go forward again this term, and won cosily at the Newton-Le-Willows venue.
17:15 Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap
Things haven't fallen REIGNING PROFITS' way of late but he's a well handicapped horse and ready to win when they do. He could never get into top gear at Musselburgh last time but is well drawn here and if the gaps open at the right time, is fancied to get the better of Jordan Electrics who is dropping in class.
17:45 Sky Bet Price Boosts Fillies' Handicap
Saffie Osborne has been riding plenty of winners this week and PLAID could well be another one. An improver for the Fanshawe yard, she ran a belter on handicap debut at Kempton last time. Strong in the market that day, she finished second to Art Gallery, staying on well. The step up in trip at Hamilton is very much in her favour.
18:15 Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap
Things haven't quite fallen his way at Thirsk the last twice but STIRRUP CUP is right at the top of his game and can gain compensation. He has winning form at this track and makes plenty of each-way appeal in a wide-open race.
18:45 Flutter Proud To Support Young Lives Vs Cancer Apprentice Handicap
He landed the £100,000 bonus for winning three races in the 2024 series and LETSBEFRANK could be on the road to repeating the feat. He was back to form when winning at Musselburgh last time despite having a lot to do down the home straight. He can be slowly away which is always a worry but he's only up four pounds and still well handicapped.
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