Hamilton 6.53

 

I think the Going could be soft here by start time and they start in front of the Stands and run the wrong way down the Straight and round the loop so really undulating with downhill, uphill, downhill and uphill again so a real test of stamina and jockeyship!

 

The hot favourite is Pride of Prior for the Haggas yard but with rain about and a mark, up 16lbs this season at the price I'll take it on. Cormier for Ellison has an abundance of stamina but 13 lbs and 8lbs respectively above its last 2 wins on the Flat. Halliphon is a very progressive type for Ian Williams another up in the handicap and I can't find much soft ground form for this one . Wickywickywheels from the always dangerous Jim Goldie yard has form figures of 1-1-1- and up through the handicap from a mark of 66 to 86 tonight and I think this may be a bit too deep despite the obvious progress. Strawberri for Roger Varian is the least exposed and a danger and could be anything and at the price the most feared i'll not be investing in.

 

Haveyoumissedme has bit of form that look very positive and has won at the trip but the mark and drop back in trip just put me off a little, Sir Chauvelin may well have been a tip on Good or Good to Firm Going but one that doesn't really like to get it's feet wet to be shown in its best form on firmer Going.  

 

The three are most likely more exposed types but well enough handicaped and in good enough form to be very strong contenders especially in attritional conditions.

 

I think the pace angle can be STATE OF BLISS and this is just the type of race and trip round the undulations where Franny Norton is so dangerous, kicking when he meets rising ground but giving the hore a break down the equally steep declines, it could slip the field and if not will definitely ensure a genuine pace. FORZA ORTA has Course form, is in decent form, won't mind the Going is on a good mark and I can find no excuses why it shouldn't place at the very least for Kevin Ryan. DARK JEDI is a similar contender, in very good form and consistent, will enjoy the conditions over optimum trip and although the mark is on the high side I think it'll do what it always does and runs its best and in these conditions that consistency may be good enough.