16:30 Hamilton

Thursday 31 May 2018

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

DM Hall: Home For Home Reports Handicap

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 1m 57.13s

(8)

Prancing Oscar^p³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 60| D

7/1

His sole success came on the AW at Wolverhampton in July 2017, when just hanging on over the extended mile to take a maiden handicap by a neck. Respectable on the AW since, but no better and 0 from 6 on turf.

Form: 413-638

(10)

Natajack^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P Makin| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 60

7/1

Sharper under the first time blinkers (retained) when finishing just under 5L third to handicap blot John Honeyman at Ayr last week (1m2f). On a fair mark based upon his winning three-year-old form for Richard Fahey.

Form: 65-7903

(2)

Diamond Avalanche¹⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 58| D

9/2

Made all to win a 1m+ Wolverhampton maiden for Kristin Stubbs in December 2017. Off since and now with a new trainer, but raised 12lb in the weights as he seeks to bring his career record to 2 from 23.

Form: 768491-

(9)

Diamond Runner^b²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: D Allan| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 52| D

18/1

Won twice during the course of 2017 (1m2f), and was particularly sharp during the month of June. Similarly treated now, but dismal on his last four starts including on seasonal reappearance at Newcastle earlier this month (1m).

Form: 13000-0

(6)

Quiet Moment⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 52

6/1

Lost her way a fraction since a fairly productive low level spell during September and October 2017; 1m winner at Ayr (heavy) from just a 1lb lower mark. Finished three places behind Colour Contrast at Ayr latest (1m). Trainer saddles three runners.

Form: 3120-85

(7)

New Abbey Angel⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 51

10/1

An infrequent winner (1 from 34) who is seemingly 'strongest' on the AW at Dunstall Park. Has an awkward head carriage and often doesn't look as if he's applying himself fully.

Form: 733529

(1)

Stardrifter⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 49| D

16/1

Not won since July 2015 and largely out of sorts on turf throughout 2017, so a little surprising that we didn't see more of him on the AW at Newcastle during the winter after a couple of second placed efforts (7f) in early to mid November.

Form: 55022-0

(3)

Colour Contrast^b⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 49

2/1

Continues to seek that elusive first success (0/17) and has nudged back up the weights a fraction for a couple of recent near misses; 1m-1m1f. Has solid previous Hamilton form in the context of this race, but vulnerable to a finisher up the hill.

Form: 490-022

(4)

Trulove^h³⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: J Riches| OR: 45

50/1

Not raced since July 2017 and has shown no worthwhile form in 12 career starts. Has an official rating of just 34, so holds next to no chance whatsoever.

Form: 9/06070-

Non-Runners

(5)

Falcon's Fire²⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: K Dalgleish J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Colour Contrast (2/1), Diamond Avalanche (9/2), Quiet Moment (6/1), Prancing Oscar (7/1), Natajack (7/1), Falcon's Fire (8/1), New Abbey Angel (10/1), Stardrifter (16/1), Diamond Runner (18/1), Trulove (50/1)

A weak race, which gives Colour Contrast every chance of shedding the maiden tag at the 18th attempt at a track which he clearly handles. However, he can be a touch weak at the finish, so at his projected odds we'll seek something to mow him down. Natajack doesn't fit the profile of a finisher but merits consideration after an improved effort in blinkers at Ayr last week, but with stamina assured and a course winner over further in the past, we'll aim the shekels at FALCON'S FIRE and hope he's back to something like his best form with the Keith Dalgleish trained horses overall gradually back on an upward curve.