20:00 Hamilton

Saturday 13 July 2024

All17:5018:2519:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

DX Home Improvements Ltd, Bellshill Handicap

Off time: 20:00 | Winning time: 1m 45.91s

(4)

Makeen^v²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 78| D

10/1

Out of sorts on AW earlier this year but short break and fitting of a visor sparked a revival when quickening away from 8 rivals to land Beverley handicap (8.5f) in May. Consistency hasn't been his strong suit in recent seasons, however, and he was below form at Newmarket last month.

Form: 47-0015

(3)

Classy Boy⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Sam Feilden⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 81| D

4/1

Showed the benefit of a breathing operation to record his second win of the year in 8-runner handicap (7/1) at Carlisle (7.8f, good) 7 days ago, having run of race. Up 4 lb for that success and should remain competitive.

Form: 22-1371

(8)

Arkenstaar²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 71| CD

6/1

3-time C&D winner. 2 wins from 4 runs this year. 11/2, again ran well when third of 9 in handicap at Carlisle (7.8f, soft) 26 days ago, running on despite carrying head bit awkwardly. More needed in this grade.

Form: 51-3113

(2)

Naval Academy^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D C Costello| T: M Walford| OR: 71| D

10/1

Career best when winning 5-runner handicap (11/5) at Haydock (7f, good to firm) 8 days ago, leading approaching final 1f. Merits consideration from 3 lb higher.

Form: 58-0421

(7)

Beltane⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Walford| OR: 69| D

14/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2023. First run since leaving Michael Appleby when fifth of 9 in seller at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm, 16/5) 8 days ago. Operating below best at present so best watched.

Form: 632895

(5)

Helter Skelter^v1²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrew Slattery| T: R Menzies| OR: 69

6/1

15/2, ran creditably but did so in rather laboured fashion when second of 9 in handicap at Carlisle (7.8f, soft) 26 days ago. No surprise to see more severe headgear enlisted (first-time visor) and this slightly longer trip should be in his favour.

Form: 654872

(1)

Gainsbourg^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: D Bourke| OR: 66| CD

8/1

C&D winner. Never dangerous eighth of 10 in handicap (8/1) at Ayr (8f, good) 40 days ago, slowly away. Cheekpieces back on. Has dipped below last winning mark but looks out of sorts at present.

Form: 7-56808

(6)

Mysteryofthesands¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75| CD

11/4

6/1, arrived in good nick and found a bit of progression to shed his maiden tag in 6-runner handicap at this C&D (good) 11 days ago. Has to be taken seriously nudged up just 3 lb.

Form: 543221

(9)

Banner Road²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: T P O'Shea| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 61| D

28/1

Pair of 1m Ayr wins for Jim Goldie last year and wasn't disgraced after 7 months off when fourth of 6 in handicap (9/1) at this C&D (good to firm) 24 days ago. Entitled to be sharper for that run.

Form: 67210-4

Non-Runners

(10)

Thewind Cries Mary¹⁵

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: E Bethell J: Mark Winn

Forecasts

Mysteryofthesands (11/4), Classy Boy (4/1), Thewind Cries Mary (9/2), Helter Skelter (6/1), Arkenstaar (6/1), Gainsbourg (8/1), Makeen (10/1), Naval Academy (10/1), Beltane (14/1), Banner Road (28/1)

MYSTERYOFTHESANDS found a bit of progression to shed his maiden tag over C&D 11 days ago and, now up and running, Tim Easterby's 3-y-o is fancied to follow up at the expense of Naval Academy, who opened his account in straightforward fashion at Haydock earlier this month and should remain competitive from 3 lb higher. Thewind Cries Mary and Classy Boy are also considered.