19:40 Hamilton

Friday 19 July 2019

All18:0018:3519:0519:4020:1020:4521:15

Heineken UK Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap

Off time: 19:41 | Winning time: 1m 12.24s

(11)

Laugh A Minute²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 105| D

8/1

Continues to race to a consistent standard and has been highly tried. Runner-up in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle (AW) at the end of last month and both wins have come on turf. Likely leading contender and any conditions are fine.

Form: 124-432

(14)

George Bowen^v²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 102| CD

20/1

Won this last year off just 2lb lower and from a similar draw. Bit below that level of form on his last three starts and would need to back to his very best off this current mark. Others preferred.

Form: 812867

(7)

Staxton^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 100| D

7/1

Returned to winning form when cheekpieces were back on at Newcastle (AW) last time and now up 5lb. Up to winning off this mark and wouldn't be inconvenienced by rain. Rates a likely contender if able to reproduce that effort.

Form: 6-30881

(2)

Lake Volta⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| D

5/1

Remains 4lb higher than his Goodwood win in May but has gone close to winning off 1lb higher in the past and a winner at Listed level last year. Consistent and third in his group when fifth overall in the Bunbury Cup last time and respected again.

Form: 312805

(4)

Teruntum Star^v⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 96| D

33/1

Has proved inconsistent this year. Returned from a break with a win at Beverley in May (when ending a long losing run) but remains 3lb higher and has struggled when upped to this grade the last twice. Others preferred in a race of this standard.

Form: 3-76100

(8)

Air Raid²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 95| CD

6/1

Gained back-to-back wins on his first two visits to this C&D in June before struggling when upped significantly to this grade off this mark last time (well beaten behind winner Staxton). His wins here were backed up by fast times so may fare better.

Form: 80-7110

(12)

Admirality^h⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 94| BF| D

9/2

Formerly with Johnny Murtagh but has been racing to a consistent high level of form since joining this yard. Twice a winner in Ireland over this distance so has to be respected following an excellent third in the Bunbury Cup over 7f last time.

Form: 2-18233

(3)

Golden Apollo²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 91| BF| D

11/2

Now 4lb below his last win but he's proving hard to win with following a losing run dating back to the 2017 Shergar Cup. Racing to a consistent standard on his last three good runs and has to be respected again.

Form: 0-70753

(10)

Aeolus⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 89| D

33/1

Proving an infrequent winner in recent years despite attractive mark on his best form. Down another 2lb but would need to lift considerably on five runs for new yard this season. Prefers an easier surface so the likely rain would be a major plus.

Form: 3-84960

(15)

Yousini³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| C

11/1

Only three-year-old in the field with the last winner of his age coming in 2010. Yet to add to first two wins but has raced very well in two of his three races this year. Stable quiet at present but he's open to improvement and strong pace suits.

Form: 126-205

(9)

Dark Defender^b¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 87| CD

33/1

All recent wins have come in a lower grade and remains 4lb higher than his all-the-way Ripon success in May. Has failed to back that up the last twice and this is much stronger still. Will face competition for the lead and others preferred.

Form: 10-5197

(13)

Lomu²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 87| BF| CD

18/1

Goes particularly well over this C&D but on a high enough mark at present at 5lb higher than his last win. Raced poorly at York last time and others look to be far stronger candidates in a race this competitive.

Form: 2412-40

(5)

Dalton^b1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: C Lee| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 86| CD

14/1

3lb higher than heavy ground win at Nottingham last month but does seem to handle any conditions. Didn't take to the AW last time although current mark does look high against opposition of this strength.

Form: 64-8310

Non-Runners

(1)

Summerghand¹³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: D O'Meara J: D Nolan

(6)

Paddy Power¹⁷

Weight: 8-7| Age: 6

T: R A Fahey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Admirality (9/2), Lake Volta (5/1), Golden Apollo (11/2), Air Raid (6/1), Staxton (7/1), Summerghand (7/1), Laugh A Minute (8/1), Yousini (11/1), Dalton (14/1), Paddy Power (16/1), Lomu (18/1), George Bowen (20/1), Aeolus (33/1), Dark Defender (33/1), Teruntum Star (33/1)

Admiralty is thriving for his new yard while proving reliable and his third in the Bunbury Cup is very strong form. Lake Volta was two places behind him, is likewise consistent and for a stable in form is another likely to be involved in an open race. Summerghand is another who you can set your watch by and on an upward curve at the age of five. LAUGH A MINUTE has some smart form at a higher level to his name and his latest Group 3 second was a very strong effort. Air Raid needs to show more in a grade this high but the manner of his C&D wins means he is of interest on a quick return to here. Staxton will be suited by rain and rates another chance.