20:10 Hamilton

Thursday 29 June 2017

All18:0018:3019:0019:3520:1020:4021:10

British Stallion Studs Captain J C Stewart EBF Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 20:11 | Winning time: 1m 50.44s

(7)

Miss Van Gogh²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80| BF| D

5/1

Well held when favourite last time out, though had previously run creditably twice in succession at Ripon from higher marks than today's. This drop in grade will help and she is now 2lb lower than her last win, while rain would be a big plus. Leading player.

Form: 480-566

(10)

Company Asset⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 77

7/2

Sole win was a fast ground Carlisle sprint in maiden company two years ago, though she has put up a number of respectable efforts over 7f/1m in handicaps. Been in the frame in two similar races to this so far this campaign and should be competitive.

Form: 3757-33

(1)

Forever A Lady¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: G Lee| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 76

7/1

All three career wins have been over 7f on good to firm/good to soft, so versatile regarding conditions. Has been in decent form from slightly lower marks this season, but well held from this mark last time and looks to have a little to find to be winning again.

Form: 421227

(6)

Dark Crystal⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 72| CD

9/2

Scored over C&D (soft) earlier in the month and followed up under a penalty at Ayr (7f, soft) next time. Showed she was still going the right way back here last time after another 5lb rise (good to firm) and from the same mark she should have a major say, especially if the forecast rains arrives.

Form: 374113

(8)

Sepal^h¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 71| D

20/1

Landed a 1m Leicester maiden (good) in 2015 but unable to add to that at up to 1m3½f in handicaps for either Charlie Hills or her current trainer, for whom she was well held in a first-time hood at Wetherby last time.

Form: 43455-6

(9)

Souls In The Wind²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T P O'Shea| T: J P Shanahan| OR: 80| C

16/1

Came good on her third start for this trainer when winning a 6f maiden here (soft) earlier in the month. Previously had tilts at a couple of Listed races (well beaten both times) and now makes her handicap debut. Allotted mark is no gimme, but she receives the age allowance and is respected.

Form: 249601

(3)

Peach Melba²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 75| BF

5/2

Made the frame in a trio of maidens, showing that she handles good to firm, soft and the All Weather in the process. Dam won over this trip and is related to more stronger stayers, so step up from 7f may enable her to go close on her handicap debut from what looks a fair mark.

Form: 232

(4)

Duck Egg Blue^p²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Paula Muir⁽⁷⁾| T: P Holmes| OR: 71| D

25/1

Won over both 7f and 1m in Ireland on soft/heavy ground, but exposed there in the autumn and has had just the one start in Britain since switching to current stable. Now on the same mark as her most recent success and with her claimer lightening the load, if the rains come she could go well at a price.

Form: 10210-8

Non-Runners

(2)

Alexandrakollontai¹²

Weight: 9-12| Age: 7

T: A C Whillans J: Barry McHugh

(5)

Whatsthemessage¹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: K Dalgleish J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Peach Melba (5/2), Company Asset (7/2), Dark Crystal (9/2), Miss Van Gogh (5/1), Forever A Lady (7/1), Alexandrakollontai (10/1), Whatsthemessage (14/1), Souls In The Wind (16/1), Sepal (20/1), Duck Egg Blue (25/1)

MISS VAN GOGH is given the nod here now that she drops in grade and in the weights, with any of the forecast rain being a plus for her. Alexandrakollontai is an interesting contender given her love for this venue, while Company Asset is proven in this sphere and should again be competitive. Dark Crystal has to be given plenty of respect, while Souls In The Wind can get involved again and Peach Melba is feared on her handicap debut and should at the very least be checked for market confidence.