13:50 Hamilton

Tuesday 21 August 2018

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:55

BB Foodservice 'William The Lion' Handicap

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 1m 12.07s

(11)

Sharp Defence¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: R J Osborne| OR: 85| CD

14/1

Won a couple of times last year including over this C&D. Hasn't quite struck form so far this term but his mark is falling and is now looking attractively handicapped. Drops in class today and would be a big player if bouncing back to his best.

Form: 060963

(8)

Kenny The Captain¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 81| D

10/1

Only had three starts so far this year and tends to need a couple of runs to be cherry ripe. Recent rain is a definite plus and should be a lively contender, especially if strong in the market.

Form: 025-235

(2)

Big Les¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 83| CD

9/1

Won on seasonal debut over C&D off a 5lb lower mark. Shaped pretty well on recent return from a break at Ripon and highly likely there is some further improvement in the locker for this unexposed type.

Form: 165-134

(9)

John Kirkup¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 82

11/2

Been running consistently well of late without winning. Not handicapped out of things despite nudging up the weights and he is likely to be right in the mix once again.

Form: 067232

(4)

Dark Defender¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79| BF| D

14/1

Dropped to a tempting mark and found the drop in trip to 5f against him at Ayr last time. These conditions really suit and he is another one with pretty sound claims of running well.

Form: 048043

(13)

Kupa River¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 78

25/1

Ex-Irish heavy ground mile maiden winner has eased 4lb in four runs for new handler. Drop in trip looks interesting for yard that are going well; entered at Thirsk on Monday.

Form: 2-70297

(10)

Aleef^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 78| CD

12/1

Has two wins from 18 starts on turf and looks more effective with more cut in the ground so the recent rain is a plus. Only 1lb below last winning mark (over C&D) and capable of going well now he can get his toe in.

Form: 021683

(12)

Manshood^b¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: P T Midgley| OR: 77| CD

4/1

Won this race last year and has bounced back to form the last twice finishing second on each occasion. Conditions now ideal and should be capable of going well again in repeat bid.

Form: 070922

(5)

Strong Steps⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: J S Goldie| OR: 77

12/1

Been running respectably of late without winning. Ground conditions no problem but is dropping back to 6f for the first time in his career here so may be taken off his feet early. Quicker they go the better.

Form: 736526

(3)

Chookie Dunedin⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Makin| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 80| D

40/1

Has struggled on all four starts so far this year and beaten quite a long way. On a good mark now as a result and given a short break since disappointing in what was a decent race for the grade here last time. Others preferred.

Form: 70-3865

(6)

Yes You⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 70| CD

4/1

Has bounced back to form with a bang of late winning back-to-back races at Ayr. Nudged up another 3lb but if anything she is better on this surface so has pretty good claims of completing the hat-trick.

Form: 10-9311

(7)

Grise Lightning¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78| CD

14/1

Returned to action after a wind operation and almost a year off to win a novice event over C&D two weeks ago. Opening mark looks fair for this handicap debut against her elders but this is really competitive for the grade.

Form: 24-1

(1)

Zapper Cass^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 73| D

40/1

Won a soft-ground handicap with plenty to spare off a 7lb lower mark three starts back. Two subsequent efforts on quick ground have not been anywhere near that level but return to softer ground will suit.

Form: 8-37147

Forecasts

Yes You (4/1), Manshood (4/1), John Kirkup (11/2), Big Les (9/1), Kenny The Captain (10/1), Strong Steps (12/1), Aleef (12/1), Dark Defender (14/1), Sharp Defence (14/1), Grise Lightning (14/1), Kupa River (25/1), Chookie Dunedin (40/1), Zapper Cass (40/1)

This is devilishly competitive for the grade and you can make a case for many. Last years winner Manshood is now 4lbs lower than twelve months ago and has returned to form the last twice. Grise Lightning is completely unexposed having won a novice event over C&D last time and is respected. Slight preference is for SHARP DEFENCE who is on a really attractive mark now and drops in grade for connections that like to have winners here.