16:00 Hamilton

Thursday 6 June 2019

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

Weatherbys Printing Services Hamiltonian Handicap

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 2m 0.31s

(3)

Sputnik Planum^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 84| BF

12/1

Twice a winner on soft ground last season, so underfoot conditions no issue, but was a bit disappointing given he was made favourite for comeback at Chester last month. Bit to prove after that, but could bounce back if fitter for that run.

Form: 246/11-8

(6)

Illustrissime^p⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: I Furtado| OR: 83| D

14/1

Has been in decent form over the spring, all form coming on artificial surfaces but is a turf winner and handles soft well, so cannot be discounted on that alone. However, possible that handicapper has him about right now, so may need more.

Form: 3-25162

(9)

Ennjaaz⁵⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 82| BF

33/1

Ex-Godolphin inmate now having first start for new yard after an 18 month absence. Looked useful enough when last seen but plenty to prove regarding wellbeing and this ground, which is an unknown. Best watched.

Form: 22120/

(5)

Ocala¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 81

7/4

Lightly raced, made the most of an easy task a Chepstow last time out (over a mile) but does face different conditions here, so does have a couple of questions to answer. Looks progressive all the same, so hard to discount.

Form: 23/2-461

(13)

Falmouth Light^h²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 79

25/1

Faller at Perth on latest start but was well held at the time anyway, and previous efforts on the Flat suggest he's going to find this trip beyond him, especially on this ground. Others readily preferred.

Form: 53320-0

(12)

Weld Al Emarat²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 78

6/1

Did well for himself over the winter, three times a winner on Southwell's Fibresand surface, and is well handicapped back on turf. However, another for whom this trip may well be far enough and on that, is passed over today.

Form: 2-11285

(2)

Ghalib³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 77

40/1

In no great form this spring and now has a lot to prove here, not least the suitability of this trip. Will like underfoot conditions though, so chances if he does stay this far. Not discounted if bouncing back.

Form: 1/677-98

(7)

Vive La Difference³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| C

6/1

Put in a better effort when dropped in grade at Wetherby last time, one that showed he does retain his ability, but this trip asks a new question and he's back up in grade too, so has a bit to do to come out on top.

Form: 0885-04

(1)

Set In Stone²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: T P O'Shea| T: Andrew Hughes| OR: 76| CD

14/1

Looking very well handicapped on her form of a couple of years ago, when she won four races in the space of three months, including one over this C&D (and on soft). Could be cherry-ripe for this after a few outings and looks a huge player.

Form: 84-0055

(10)

Sands Chorus^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 76| D

8/1

Useful front runner at his peak and still capable enough, but actually finds getting his head in front a bit tough these days and he doesn't get a lot of respite from the handicapper either. Others preferred.

Form: 034230

(4)

Royal Shaheen^v¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: G Lee| T: A C Whillans| OR: 75

33/1

Form at the moment very much on the slide, and although his mark reflects this, he's showing no signs of arresting it any time soon. Plenty to prove regarding this trip too.

Form: 600-067

(15)

Trinity Star^v¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: Barry McHugh| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 71

33/1

Probably ready for another crack at this sort of trip after some moderate efforts over a mile lately but he's still some 6lb higher than his last win and others simply look more persuasive.

Form: 1022-87

(8)

Strong Steps¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 69

20/1

Three reasonable efforts this spring, not beaten far at Ayr last time out and may be coming to the boil. Seems happy enough on this ground and if he stays this far, has place chances at worst.

Form: 059-642

(14)

Iconic Code²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 66

28/1

No issue with this trip or ground, as she showed when successful at Ayr last October, may yet have more to offer (only 4) but likely to need this outing after a 7 month absence. Best watched unless market says otherwise.

Form: 655010-

(11)

Beverley Bullet^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-3| J: P Mathers| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 66| D

20/1

Enjoys soft ground and does poke his head in front every now and then, but looks to be in the doldrums a little at present and this trip may stretch his stamina. Others make more appeal.

Form: 04-5084

Forecasts

Ocala (7/4), Weld Al Emarat (6/1), Vive La Difference (6/1), Sands Chorus (8/1), Sputnik Planum (12/1), Set In Stone (14/1), Illustrissime (14/1), Beverley Bullet (20/1), Strong Steps (20/1), Falmouth Light (25/1), Iconic Code (28/1), Trinity Star (33/1), Royal Shaheen (33/1), Ennjaaz (33/1), Ghalib (40/1)

It's possible Sputnik Planum will leave his rather disappointing Chester effort behind him here, and if he does, he'll be a danger to all on ground he likes. Ocala is progressive and if handling the deep ground, is probably the one to beat, but SET IN STONE is worth chancing at a likely big price as he's a previous C&D winner that looks too well handicapped to ignore, and might appreciate the return to softer underfoot conditions.