19:20 Hamilton

Friday 20 July 2018

All17:4518:2018:5019:2019:5520:2520:55

Heineken UK Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap

Off time: 19:29 | Winning time: 1m 9.03s

(11)

George Bowen^v²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 100| D

9/2

Got better with each run earlier in the season and landed a high-class sprint handicap at York over 6f producing a career-best. Failed to follow-up under a penalty but recorded another good effort and still in form when last seen off this mark.

Form: 842126

(6)

Flying Pursuit^p⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 96| BF| D

12/1

Won three good handicaps last year the last one at Ripon (6f, heavy) off this mark and finished the season in good form despite not winning again. Started the season on a career-high mark which has fallen away without him looking to take advantage.

Form: 28-8004

(7)

Ower Fly¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 90| D

7/1

A combination of a more patient ride and a drop to 6f appeared to be the catalysts behind his Pontefract win last time to give him his first win for this yard. Now under a 6lb penalty for that win he's 1lb well-in here but still faces a tough task.

Form: 982241

(12)

Mobsta⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Beasley| T: M R Channon| OR: 91| BF| D

20/1

All of his wins have been gained soft/heavy in the description and conditions may well be too quick for him here. Confirmed the promise of his first run of the season when winning at Windsor and ran well (3rd) when last seen in April at Ripon.

Form: 000-413

(9)

Poyle Vinnie^b⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 90| CD

7/1

A past winner of this in 2015 off a 5lb higher mark he's only won once since. Yet to win for this yard he's filled the runner-up spot six times this year (attitude fine)again running a cracker last time out at Ascot off this mark; shortlist material.

Form: 426222

(3)

Classic Seniority^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: P Makin| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 87| CD

10/1

Last year's winner he doesn't come into this in the same form this time around (off the back of a win last year) although he is off a 3lb lower mark. Given his prep run in the same race this year and now with cheekpieces back on; dangerous to ignore.

Form: 0-50943

(2)

Sharp Defence^t¹¹¹

25/1

C&D winner in softer conditions than he will face here; hasn't won a race since then and now on his third different trainer since that win. Has had a wind op since his last run (well held at Musselburgh); back on last winning mark (limited appeal).

Form: 9-50609

(1)

Russian Realm⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: P T Midgley| OR: 85| D

12/1

Consistent sort but that facet of his make-up doesn't allow the handicapper to cut him much slack and he remains held off this sort of mark these days. Ran well at Epsom last time (placed again) and suited by the strong pace; not easy to win with.

Form: 9-32372

(8)

The Great Wall¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 84| CD

3/1

2-5 so far for these new connections who do well with this sort and his turf form looks quite smart having been dropped to this trip here last time. Took a strong hold and made all; may need to settle a bit better to dominate in this better grade.

Form: 41-4621

(13)

Dark Defender^v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 83| D

22/1

His form has been rather like that of his stables this year rather below-par although they are coming back to form a little now. Ran poorly last time though not really building on a slight revival the time before; better form needed to play a part.

Form: 0-36048

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(4)

Naadirr⁶¹

Weight: 9-12| Age: 7

T: K A Ryan J: G Lee

(10)

Hoof It⁸⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 11

T: M & D Easterby J: Harrison Shaw

(5)

Golden Steps¹¹

Weight: 8-7| Age: 7

T: J S Goldie J: Jamie Gormley

Forecasts

The Great Wall (3/1), George Bowen (9/2), Poyle Vinnie (7/1), Ower Fly (7/1), Classic Seniority (10/1), Naadirr (10/1), Flying Pursuit (12/1), Russian Realm (12/1), Golden Steps (12/1), Mobsta (20/1), Hoof It (20/1), Dark Defender (22/1), Sharp Defence (25/1)

A typically competitive running of this race containing two previous winners and plenty of in-form sprinters. 2015 winner Poyle Vinnie must have a leading chance having slipped to a mark 5lb below the one he won off two years ago he’s been running well this year without much luck. Last year’s winner Classic Seniority whilst not in quite the same form is dangerous to ignore as is George Bowen especially if he reproduces the form of his York win earlier in the year. C&D winner The Great Wall needs to prove himself in this grade whilst Russian Realm looks sure to be on the premises. GOLDEN STEPS is chosen though to take this for the Goldie yard after his sound run last time and back over 6f.