14:30 Hamilton

Thursday 16 July 2020

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

Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 1m 58.70s

(2)

Royal Shaheen^v¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: G Lee| T: A C Whillans| OR: 64| D

10/1

On a competitive mark and respected as he's eased in grade; latest start was an indication that he's on the way back; never yet managed a win at this course despite several decent opportunities.

Form: 1350-96

(5)

Striding Edge⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 64

3/1

Slight step up in distance after his all-the-way win over 1m here last week and has to merit consideration in spite of the 6lb penalty. His dam is a half-sister to a 1m2f winner and the portents suggest he'll stay; 1lb well-in and shortlisted.

Form: 450-531

(3)

Bollihope¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Aiden Smithies⁽⁷⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 60| D

6/1

Ahead of the handicapper after a bold effort at Doncaster 11 days ago and seems to be thriving since joining his current yard. A market move in his direction would be interesting. Lots of rain would be a negative.

Form: 3566-62

(12)

Najashee²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: D Tudhope| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 59

9/2

Wasn't beaten far in his last couple of starts and is on a very workable mark at present. Jockey booking is a positive; reasonable place claims at least.

Form: 7900-23

(8)

Remmy D^b⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: P Mathers| T: J S Goldie| OR: 58| C

40/1

Won here over a slightly shorter trip last August but still has a bit to prove from a 4lb higher mark; was well held on his seasonal debut last week and needs a big step forward now.

Form: 04130-0

(9)

Imperial Focus^v¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: T Eaves| T: S Waugh| OR: 55

16/1

Poor strike-rate of 1-37 in all races is off-putting but the gelding arrives in reasonable enough form to suggest he can get competitive from his lenient handicap mark. Not one for maximum faith given that he was held over a longer trip latest.

Form: 6-34414

(7)

Forus²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: C Lee| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 63

9/1

Won a novice auction for Jamie Osborne last October but held in both starts since joining his current yard; today's drop in trip might help but others make more appeal.

Form: 8601-54

(11)

Phoenix Approach²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 63

6/1

Improved effort when upped in trip for his handicap debut last time out; looks to be on a fairly competitive mark and may be more to come. Runs for a yard that has been in good form of late, so worth a betting check at the very least.

Form: 656-3

(6)

Take That^p1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 60

50/1

Has been gelded and tried in a handicap all to no avail so far. He's unexposed and makes only his second start in a race of this nature but already has a lot to find and makes limited appeal; the first-time cheekpieces need to really perk him up.

Form: 748-0

(10)

Havana Go¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: I Jardine| OR: 51

17/2

Was stepped up in trip for his stable debut at Ayr earlier in the month and did run with a bit more enthusiasm than he showed last year. He's plummeted in the ratings but hard to suggest he retains enough ability to be winning this.

Form: 80975-4

(1)

Poyle George Two^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: J Hodge| OR: 45

18/1

Dropped like a stone in the handicap over the last year and remains a maiden after 15 previous attempts. Was held behind the likes of Havana Go at Ayr last time out and it looks like this will be another one that gets away from him.

Form: 2489-97

Non-Runners

(4)

Black Star Dancing¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: K Dalgleish J: J Fanning

Forecasts

Striding Edge (3/1), Najashee (9/2), Phoenix Approach (6/1), Bollihope (6/1), Havana Go (17/2), Forus (9/1), Royal Shaheen (10/1), Black Star Dancing (12/1), Imperial Focus (16/1), Poyle George Two (18/1), Remmy D (40/1), Take That (50/1)

Mark Johnston has traditionally done well with horses that step up in trip and its not unusual for his contenders to run up sequences of victories. STRIDING EDGE might lack the class of some of his predecessors but he's already shown he's got the ability to figure at this sort of level and he could be hard to reel in if he's allowed to dominate again. Phoenix Approach has scope to improve and also merits consideration, while Bollinhope and Najashee can also play a part in pushing the selection all the way to the line.