17:00 Hamilton

Thursday 31 May 2018

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

Hamilton Park Supporting Racing To School Handicap

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 1m 56.93s

(5)

Viscount Wilson²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Donagh O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: G M Lyons| OR: 65

8/1

Raced mainly on soft ground so far, including on handicap debut at Gowran Park earlier this month (7f); upped in trip.

Form: 455-8

(2)

Amity Island³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 65

13/2

A Southwell regular, and a winner off a 4lb lower mark (1m) in early April. Proved he handles turf on his debut at Thirsk latest (good to soft), but stamina to prove over this trip.

Form: 3-25513

(9)

Admiral Rooke²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 64

8/1

Now a nine-race maiden, but worth a try over further after finishing well over 1m at Pontefract (33/1) on his penultimate start. Faster ground the slight unknown.

Form: 3794-34

(1)

Broken Force³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: K R Burke| OR: 64

6/1

Cost €60,000 as a juvenile and is fast becoming disappointing after failing to progress during his brief five-race career. Mark easing, but proving weak late on after racing prominently, so of more interest if given a hold-up ride.

Form: 07-689

(8)

Mearing^p²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P Makin| T: I Jardine| OR: 64

7/2

Bought for 27,000 gns in July 2017 and has shown glimmers of promise, including when placed at Wolverhampton in mid-February (7f). Recent form closely aligned to Admiral Rooke; but has stamina to prove.

Form: 5-63573

(3)

If We Can Can¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 58

7/2

Showed a gritty attitude to hang tough and repel Troop on his first try over 1m2f at Redcar ten days ago. Therefore with further progress to be expected looks capable of defying a 6lb penalty in this grade.

Form: 035-81

(7)

Plansina^p²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 60| BF

20/1

Solid Tapeta performer (two-time 1m Newcastle winner), who isn't quite so effective on turf (0 from 9), but continues to run creditably enough from her current mark.

Form: 818145

(4)

House Of Cards³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 52

40/1

Not shown enough so far (6f-7f), but steps up in trip for handicap debut from a lowly mark and her dam Neyraan was a winner over 1m1f.

Form: 707

(6)

Troop¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 48

6/1

Got to within ½L of If We Can Can at Redcar ten days ago (1m2f) and with penalties/riders claim taken into account theoretically should reverse placings with that horse, but equally far from certain that'll actually happen.

Form: 868-762

Forecasts

Mearing (7/2), If We Can Can (7/2), Troop (6/1), Broken Force (6/1), Amity Island (13/2), Viscount Wilson (8/1), Admiral Rooke (8/1), Plansina (20/1), House Of Cards (40/1)

On weights and measures Troop should gain his revenge on his Redcar conqueror IF WE CAN CAN, but that doesn't factor into account how much Mark Johnston trained runners tend to improve after first encountering an increased test of stamina. The selection showed a gritty attitude in winning and should have more too offer up the Hamilton Park incline in a weak and perfectly winnable contest. Of the others, Admiral Rooke merits a try over this trip.