13:00 Hamilton

Thursday 16 July 2020

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Heineken Served Extra Cold Handicap

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 59.73s

(4)

Melgate Magic^b,t⁵³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 63| BF

25/1

Won over 6f on the Fibresand at Southwell in December 2018 but only raced once since; 0-4 on turf so far and previous efforts over 5f have left a bit to be desired. Might be best watched in his first run for over 18 months.

Form: 67451/3-

(5)

Somewhere Secret^p¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: J Garritty| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 61| D

11/4

Respected after a good effort when second over 5f at Ayr earlier in the month and noteworthy the gelding is close to his last winning mark; likes a bit of give underfoot so won't mind any rain. Can go close again. (2lb well-in today.)

Form: 09-5502

(7)

Lydiate Lady^p¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Gemma Tutty⁽³⁾| T: K Tutty| OR: 60| D

10/1

Cut out the early tempo before fading to finish sixth at Ayr 10 days ago (Somewhere Secret ran on well to finish second that day) and something to prove this time; a 2lb lower mark might not be enough to swing the result her way.

Form: 051-796

(1)

Northern Society¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 59| D

13/2

Best when delivered late but lacked the pace to threaten the leaders at Ayr latest; so is another who has form to reverse with Somewhere Secret but might have needed that run and likely he'll be a lot sharper this time. Not to be dismissed lightly.

Form: 14590-5

(2)

Groundworker¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Barry McHugh| T: P T Midgley| OR: 55| CD

7/2

Likely he was in need of the run when he finished third of 5 here at the start of this month but he likes this course and has solid enough previous form to merit serious consideration now his fitness is topped up; does need to be near his best.

Form: 00172-3

(6)

Lady Celia³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 56| CD

11/4

C&D winner last month and was a good second at Ayr on Monday; still has some scope for improvement and remains on a workable mark; runs for a top yard that is hitting its stride with a vengeance; well worth considering.

Form: 588-712

(3)

Garnock Valley³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mathers| T: R M Smith| OR: 55

10/1

Has shown some ability but well held in both starts since returning to action this season. Her best effort to date was posted over this trip so feasible the step back to 5f can help; still has something to find on the balance of form.

Form: 0542-89

Forecasts

Lady Celia (11/4), Somewhere Secret (11/4), Groundworker (7/2), Northern Society (13/2), Lydiate Lady (10/1), Garnock Valley (10/1), Melgate Magic (25/1)

SOMEWHERE SECRET is due for a 2lb rise in the handicap and has a strong chance of confirming superiority over Northern Society and Lydiate Lady so thus merits serious consideration with the ground conditions likely to be in his favour. Lady Celia also comes into the reckoning as she has potential of more to come and, as she only went up 2lb for last month's C&D win, she must be feared again. Groundworker was ahead of the selection the last time they met at this course and is also rated as a big threat, while Garnock Valley would also be dangerous to rule out too quickly as she might have more to offer now she reverts to sprinting again.