16:00 Hamilton

Wednesday 6 June 2018

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

Weatherbys Printing Services Hamiltonian Handicap

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 1m 57.08s

(5)

Zabeel Star¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 84| C

10/3

Held his form well over the winter on the AW and that has continued back on turf, pushed clear to beat subsequent Carlisle winner Aclimatise by 3½L over the extended mile here latest (gd/fm). Up 7lb over an extra furlong (stays).

Form: 512701

(3)

Novelty Seeker²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 83

28/1

Winner of a Class 4 York handicap in October 2016 (1m2f+ good), but missed the entire calendar year in 2017. No show on his return at Chester last month, so whilst plausibly handicapped (eased 4lb) has to prove the ability remains.

Form: 70621/0

(8)

Pioneering⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83

12/1

On the up last back-end, rising 19lb in the weights for a hat-trick of victories between 1m-1m2f. Evidently versatile in terms of underfoot conditions, but life tougher now from this mark and no obvious spark on his Pontefract seasonal return.

Form: 20111-8

(6)

Kharbetation²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80

9/1

An impressive winner on debut at Thirsk in July 2016 (1m maiden), but off the track for 12 months thereafter and that's stalled his subsequent progress. Mark easing and showed speed on his return at Ripon last month, so bold show entirely possible.

Form: 00350-4

(2)

Aasheq¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79

5/4

Had wind surgery since leaving Dermot Weld for 5,500gns in October 2017 and that's clearly helped; a ready winner over 1m2f+ at Chester last month. Up 6lb, but progressing so holds every chance.

Form: 3739-31

(9)

Andok^p1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77

11/1

Weighted to run well; beaten just a head off a similar mark at Newcastle in November (1m2f) but below par lately back on turf so relies upon the first time cheek-pieces to help perk him up a little.

Form: 4022-58

(4)

Rock N Rolla^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 70

11/1

Won just once in 16 starts (in September 2016) and yet to register in handicap company. Mark easing, but no excuses at Ayr latest (1m) and others are far more likely winners.

Form: 9654-94

(7)

Chinese Spirit⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: R M Smith| OR: 69| D

9/1

Twice a winner at Ayr in 2017 (1m-1m1f) with cut in the ground, and races from a mark just 2lb above his last winning perch. Beaten 9L by a stablemate of Zabeel Star (Rockwood) at Musselburgh on Saturday.

Form: 4710-42

Non-Runners

(1)

The Moore Factor²⁶

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: J J Lambe J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Aasheq (5/4), Zabeel Star (10/3), The Moore Factor (8/1), Chinese Spirit (9/1), Kharbetation (9/1), Rock N Rolla (11/1), Andok (11/1), Pioneering (12/1), Novelty Seeker (28/1)

Both Aasheq and ZABEEL STAR arrive in form as winners on their most recent outings, with the former having improved for wind surgery and winning well at Chester latest. However, with the Karen McLintock trained horses enjoying a fine recent run of form (5 from 17 on the Flat in May/June), and the selection clearly not inconvenienced by this track, a 7lb rise is unlikely to stop Zabeel Star. At more significant odds, keep an eye on the David O'Meara trained Kharbetation for a place.