Hamilton 1.50 8 Manshood @ 4/1 (1 point win bet) + 7 Aleef @ 16/1 (1/2 point each way) - SkyBet go odds to 4th

(if you want to consider a TRICAST perm in to the above pair John Kirkup and Kenny The Captain in that order)

A Class 4 race over just over 6 furlongs and the obvious one to start with is 2017 winner MANSHOOD. The last 4 runs at Hamilton read 2-1-1-2 and the wins were in Class 4 off marks of 75 and 81. The Handicap mark today is pretty much in the middle of that range, off 77; and the key to the horse is that it must have "some cut" in the Going and it should be just about soft enough here today. The 4/1 is pretty much general price, a few slithers of 9/2; we will suggest as a win bet, if you can get on with Sky (odds to 4th) you might like to be ultra safe and take the each way (your prerogative).

I was keen on John Kirkup and Kenny The Captain, the former is a solid yardstick; likes this Going and is on a nice mark, but it makes Course debut here and that is a slight question mark. The latter has only had 3 runs this season, whatever happens today it must be tracked as it usually fires in the Autumn, just a niggle that the handicap mark is on the high side and today may just get it really tight and fit for next few runs. Dark Defender goes without any headgear for the first time in ages, a move that might be worth watching from this yard and Yes You is in form but upped in Class.

The one I think is real value in the race is ALEEF it won a competitive Class 5 here earlier in the season off a mark of 77, then encountered Firm Going and a small weight rise that did not suit, but finds itself back on favoured Ground off a very nice mark, I think it should be nearer to 10/1; so 16/1 (WH and Sky) looks real value, especially with Sky paying odds to 4th and pricing around 14/1- 16/1.