Hamilton 6.55

Hamilton 6.55 6 Archies Affair - 1/2 point each way @ 11/1 - Lads / Coral + Sky enhance to 4th place.

It is intriguing how little "soft ground" form there is in this race and very little proven soft ground form at the 12 Furlong trip. There are a few unexposed fresh horses coming out after recent spins, who have been kept well away from firm Going in mid summer and most notable are the Jardine pair of Sepal and Jabaar. Both look progessive and worth following; but I felt Sepal may just still need this run and this is not a Course that benefits a horse with any lack of race sharpness, Jabaar likes Sepal may also be in the grip of the handicapper after a good run last season and both look more like Autumn horses to track very closely.

I fear MUKHAYYAM who won at Ripon on soft at this trip in July last year my only nagging doubt with that one is that it has been busy all summer and recent runs may indicate it is just OTT, but I would not put anyone off a few quid each way. The one I most like is ARCHIE'S AFFAIR - has a Course win over a bit shorter on soft and was not stopping that day, has a manageable handicap mark here and a good 3 lbs Claimer to further boost chances and at about 11/1 and with 3 major Bookies going odds to 4th place, looks the one who ticks most boxes and will be disappointing if not right in the mix.