Hamilton Park... and some public speaking!

HAMILTON PARK – Thursday July 18^th

Going – Good to Firm, Good in places

The weather remained warm and sunny, with Hamilton Park looking in magnificent condition.  The North sun hat once again got an outing, having seen more action this season than the previous five years put together.  The public speaking also got an outing on the day, but more of that later.

2.00 6f Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2yo Maiden (Class 5)

With Foxy Clarets pulled out on a vet’s certificate this looked a straight forward job for BOOGANGOO, the filly obliging with a degree of comfort. She showed decent speed early on and, once given the signal, pulled clear in the final furlong. She will presumably now go on to nurseries.

SOUL INSTINCT is a strong looking animal who should make his mark in time. He broke well and shared the lead for three furlongs. He couldn’t match the winner once she took over, but kept on honestly enough. He may struggle to win a maiden but there will be chances in nursery handicaps.

IBECKE didn’t step up on her debut run and was firmly put in her place from two out, while UNDER APPROVAL was readily left behind, appearing one of the lesser lights from an O’Meara stable that has been sweeping all before them recently.

2.30 6f Robert McKellar – A Lifetime in Racing Claiming Stakes (Class 6)

HOPES N DREAMS made it four course and distances wins with a very comfortable victory. She set the pace, racing keenly at first, and then turned up the heat once the runners hit the rising ground. Course and the small field play to her strengths.

SUNRAIDER was comfortably second best but had no chance with the winner. He’s on a high mark in handicaps but may find opportunities in similar contests to this.

OOR JOCK has been highly tried in Ireland but has disappointed of late and a drop in level brought no improvement. His one win was at Naas back in 2010, race from which 6 runners raised only one subsequent win between them.

SPREAD BOY was totally outclassed and there was no fourth prize here to make turning up worthwhile.

There is a point about the disparity between prize money and claiming prices in this contest. The take home owner’s prize money was £1,686, yet the claiming price of the main three contenders ranged from £20,000 to £13,000. On that basis Oor Jock would have to win about twelve contests to recover his ‘value’.

3.00 1m 3f Neilsland and Earnock Maiden Stakes (Class 5)

This ended up as a match between the two principal contenders.

STATUTORY tracked the pace and then stretched on nicely from three out. He looked to have the race in safe keeping entering the final furlong but the runner-up was closing fast at the line. Not that Statutory did much wrong and he is progressing.

BOMBER THORN looked an awkward ride for much of the race. He was niggled early and hung in behind the winner down the straight. One the runners hit the last furlong he really picked up and would have won within another 50 yards. It could be that the course didn’t suit, but I wonder if he might just prove a decent stayer who is best when allowed to do his own thing. A step up in trip will certainly do no harm.

WEE WILLY WILFORDS field an expected third place without having a prayer of matching the first two. He will need to be handicapped before he becomes competitive.

YOURHOLIDAYISOVER has the build of a jumper, and was seen out in a Clonmel bumper last year. For whatever reason he’s been aimed at the flat since, but was left behind from three out.

EILA WHEELER is an elongated mare who has achieved very little in contesting a bumper and four flat races. Tongue-tied here, she shows no sign of making a racehorse.

I’d chatted to course MC of the day Lee McKenzie before racing. I’d been introduced to him a couple of years back and was interested to hear his thoughts on the Olympics, in which he had a very enjoyable time covering the Equestrian events.

Since stepping back from commentary duties Lee has been concentrating on presentation duties and on this occasion that included a discussion with Racing UK presenter Gordon Brown on ‘Hamilton Equine Heroes’. Asked for our own Hamilton Heroes I volunteered Tangerine Trees, four times a winner at Hamilton before going on to win the Group 1 Prix de L’Abbaye De Longchamp. I was then asked to do an interview over the PA discussing Tangerines Trees and my own interest in Scottish Racing. I’m not a public speaker by any means, but working on the basis of ‘just talk racing’ I think I got away with it!

3.30 1m 1f totepool.com  61-76 Handicap

A competitive little contest with a few competitors who have progressed or are progressing, though it was a more exposed types that prevailed.

One of a team brought over by Irish trainer John Patrick Shanahan, PRINCE JOCK scored at Wexford last year though has struggled to make a mark since. His wins have come conceding weight to inferiors and he was doing that here. Racing handily, he took the lead three furlongs out and stayed on well under driving to hold challenges. He gives the impression that he hasn’t got a huge amount in hand off his current rating and might struggle if forced up a few pounds.

ARGAKI put in another solid performance to follow up a succession of decent runs. He kept on but couldn’t make an impact on the winner close home. He continues in decent form.

The eleven-year-old DHAULAR DAR has slipped well down the ratings now but showed there is still life left. Running off a career low mark of 61 he stayed on through the last two furlongs and showed enough to suggest there’s one last hurrah left before retirement.

LORD FRANKLIN was held from the furlong pole and the handicapper might just have covered now.

CORTON LAD couldn’t raise his game in the last two furlongs. He looked well enough but it’s possible this came a shade too soon after his last race here.

HIGH RESOLUTION is in need on softer ground while RALPHY BOY doesn’t look to have retained the ability he showed as a two-year-old.

4.00 1m 5f Racing UK This way That Way Handicap 66-82

HAWDYERWHEESHT is in fine form, and I suspect the peculiarly Scottish name pointed a fair few course punters in this one’s direction. Sent about his work from two out, he gradually picked off those in front and got on top in the last hundred yards. He’s in good form and defied a 6lb penalty here, though the handicapper will presumably let him know that he has noticed.

The one to take from this contest is INTERIOR MINISTER who made a determined effort to lead all the way. He quickened off the front four out but was worn down in the final furlong. This was a darned good effort form a relatively lightly raced colt from whom I would imagine there is better to come. He didn’t fire on softer ground at Chester and it seems likely he needs the fast ground.

TENHOO is well exposed but ran a sound race in third, keeping on to the line having been held up early. His five wins have all come a grade below this in Class 5.

SCHMOOZE ran into all sorts of problems between the two pole and the furlong marker and was finishing as fast as anything. The problem is that she is always held up and at the mercy of any scrimmaging that might go on as she works her way through the field.  She regularly gives her running though and is not often beaten very far.

TETBURY was re-fitted with a hood but it didn’t work as it had at Ripon two outings ago. He had conditions right so there would appear no excuses.

Hat-trick seeker CHANT couldn’t get in a blow raised in class.

STREET ARTIST, blinkered on this occasion, is a strong sort but gives the impression he may still benefit from another winter behind him. He chased the leader but dropped away quickly in the final furlong.

QUEEN OF ALBA was the first to come under pressure and was not dangerous in the last two furlongs.  She was a winner in Abu Dhabi but has cut no ice on two outings for her Irish based trainer.

4.30 5f Download The Free Racing UK App Handicap 47-60

A typical ‘whose turn is it today ‘ sprint in which the North money went west on Tuesday’s Beverley scorer CHOC’A’MOCA. He was run off his feet going downhill and could not get into the race.  Fifty lines for North, ‘I should not bet in Class 6 sprints’. On the face of it, Choc’A’Moca is probably just a fair win in his turn low-class sprinter.

INGENTI had been knocking on the door of late and got a break on the others over a furlong out to win with a bit to spare. She generally runs her race and was well ridden by apprentice Kevin Stott, freed for this one after the trainer’s Niceonemyson was declared a non-runner.

CHLOE’S DREAM has form 01323 at tracks with a stiff finish. She kept on for second and looks worth keeping in mind at stiff tracks on a sound surface. Her attitude looks good and there should be a race for her soon.

SCRIPT ran a decent race in third. He was shunted up after winning here and may be just a pound or two too high now.

AMENABLE finished fastest of all in fourth but has gone a long time since winning. He should be capable of victory of his current mark but I’m not sure he’s one to rely on.

There was a gap of nearly three lengths to the rest who were all well held. CAYMAN FOX showed customary early pace but she hasn’t won for ages and generally folds once headed. Now if they held Class 6 four  furlong contests…

5.00 1m 65yds Racing UK Sky Channel 432 Handicap 45-61

RED CHARMER is a strong sort who rather took the eye in the paddock. He hadn’t shown much before this race but might just be coming to himself, forging on from two out and taking the  race going away. He looks as if he will be suited by further, and indeed his previous best effort was over Beverley stiff ten furlongs. A follow up wouldn’t be a surprise.

MINOT STREET was a clear second. He doesn’t look the most straight forward sort, particularly since he was equipped with blinkers, tongue-tie and a cross-noseband none of which are positives for me.

He chased the leader honestly enough but in vain from two out.

The one to take from this for future is definitely DIDDY ERIC. He was ridden along early in rear, and only picked up seriously one the runners hit the hill. His jockey Tom Eaves reported that he was on the stretch for much of the way. In Eaves’s opinion he needs cut in the ground and ideally ten furlongs. Keep this one in mind once the rains come.

HELLO GORGEOUS is inconsistent and was held here, LEXINGTON BLUE’s good run looks in the past and POLAR FOREST led but was put in his place once taken on.

Perth - Family Day

PERTH – Sunday July 13^th

Going – Good to Firm (watered) drying out a bit as the meeting went on to show Firm in places.

Fresher weather promised for the weekend but it stills feels plenty warm enough up here and Perth was bathed in sunshine for the mid-July meeting. A huge crowd attended.

2.00 2m 4f 110yds totejackpot Novices’ Hurdle (Class 4)

Four were soon reduced to three as newcomer BELLA MONTAGNA looked completely foxed by the first hurdle, unseating Brian Harding.

Gordon Elliott was noticeable for lack of runners at April’s Perth festival, but he has wasted no time adding to his tally since. DANTE’S KING won over fences here on his previous run and hurdled fluently here to see off his remaining two rivals. His trainer can place him to win again.

One to note here is OCEAN CLUB who made an encouraging debut for Brian Ellison. He jumped quite big, perhaps suggesting he will be better over fences in time. Outpaced three out he stuck on determinedly from the last and there should be a race in him.

Tim Vaughan’s EXPERIMENTALIST chased the leader most of the way but could make no impression from two out. He has form with cut in the ground and the others were a shade too quick on this fast ground.

2.30 2m 4f 110yds Royal Caledonian Hunt Novices’ Chase (Class 4)

KIAN’S DELIGHT won the Summer Champion Hurdle here last year and won in impressive style. He jumped well, went on from four out and was in no trouble afterwards.

AGRICULTURAL couldn’t match the two leaders, but put in some sterling work from three out to take second place.  He has certainly progressed form a poor first chasing effort at Hexham.

D J MILAN jumped exuberantly in front, but the effort of trying to hold the winner told and he weakened into third. He was up against a decent winner and may be better over fences than the bare result suggests.

BEST SERVED COLD didn’t jump with any great fluency and was beaten with six to go.

Long standing maiden ELLANDSHE isn’t like to break his Rules maiden tag at 13. He was tailed off after six fences and soon pulled up. Surely he will be retired soon?

3.00 3m 110yds totequadpot Handicap Hurdle (88-115)

SOLWAY BAY stays well and was given a fine ride by Ewan Whillans. Put gradually into the race before four out, he was driven to two out and stayed on under pressure to lead on the flat.

FEISTYLASS looked them sot likely winner two out, but didn’t find as much as the winner from the last. It was only a selling handicap hurdle she won here last time though, so credit for upping her game to contest the finish here.

RYTON RUNNER and FAIRWOOD MASSINI were up with the pace for a long way but found wanting form two out.

Hat-trick seeking GREEN LIGHTNING rapped a couple of hurdles very hard, his error at the eighth seeing him drop back through the field after which he was eased and pulled up.

3.30 2m 110yds Drew Russell 65^th Birthday Maiden Hurdle (Class 4)

A penalty kick for GOAL. The opposition were not up to much and the winner only had to jump round. He did make a hash of a couple of hurdles, possibly distracted by the wayward hurdling of leader Dynamic Drive.

DYNAMIC DRIVE caused Stephen Mulqueen any amount of problems, but his rider persisted and he still led two out. He was put in his place easily and, though he clearly has some ability, looks one to avoid.

The battle of the duffers saw TIM’S APPROACH finish well clear ASKALOTT. The former showed promise on his racing debut at Cork but has gone backwards since, while Askalott’s only glimmer of form was winning an appalling point at Friars Haugh last year.

4.00 2m 4f 110yds Totepool Handicap Chase (102-119)

Locally trained STROBE was driven along at times, but stayed on well from three out under pressure, gaining the lead on the run-in. He loves this ground and does go well at Perth.

QOUBILAI jumped well in front and looked the likely winner entering the straight. However, he made mistakes at the last two fences to open the door to the winner. Quobilai should gain compensation for this.

TWILL STAND TO US ran better than his third place really tells, but a couple of howlers cost him ground and he weakened from two out. This was only his second chase and he will win over fences.

KARINGA QUEEN was never travelling well and after a brief effort in the straight weakened into fourth.

A double winner this season, HODGSON was beaten five fences from home.

4.30 2m 110yds Ecosteel and Lothian Steel Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (81-105)

PARSON’s PUNCH seemed a bit reluctant and was left some way at the start, but soon caught up. He was up with the pace and stretched on after three out, driven to hold on from two out, in the process landing the second leg of a double for Glenfarg based Lucy Normile at her local track. This horse clearly has ability but he’s quirky and can’t be relied upon to put it all in.

MILANEEN chased the leaders from three out and kept on without quite getting to the winner.  She showed a degree of promise in bumpers, but this was by far her best effort over hurdles.

MOMKINZAIN has improved on decent ground this season, but he was under the pump from a long way out and didn’t have enough to match winner.

BORN TO SHINE raced up with the pace until his saddle slipped and Gary Rutherford was unseated before three out. His handicap efforts to date suggest he has a small race in him.

CAPTAIN  BALDWIN was hampered at the start by the winner, soon recovering but held from two out.

5.00 2m 110yds totepool Standard Open NH Flat Race (Class 6)

There was a small field here, but there’s a chance it wasn’t a bad event with three big stables represented.

Paddock opinion favoured the first two here and HENLLAN HARRI stretched on nicely to win the race.  There’s staying blood in this one’s family and improvement can be expected with a distance of ground and jumps to clear.

DEFINITE ROW had some fair efforts to show previous to this and sets the standard. She kept on well enough and seems to have enough about her to win over hurdles. I’m sure Gordon Elliott can place her well.

CLOUDY JOKER looks to have a bit more to work on. He set the pace but just found himself held in the final furlong. He will come on for the race.

DALSTONTOSILOTH comes from a stable that have only ever had one bumper winner, so wouldn’t have been expected no debut. He was held form three out but looked rather little green, sticking on after the first three. He might pay as long term project.

THEHOODLUM, trained by Jean McGregor down the M90 at Milnathort,  was totally outclassed and allowed to coast in form three out. On this and previous evidence racing prospects do not look bright.

Hamilton - July 13th

HAMILTON PARK – Saturday July 13^th

Going – Good to Firm (Good in places)

It’s not a phrase that’s used to often in Scotland, but we could do with a bit of rain. The going remains on the fast side with the majority with the sun continuing to shine over the past week, and promising much of the same in the coming days. The course had been watered in preparation for this meeting. It’s ironic that significant drainage work was carried out before the season after the course suffered during last year’s wet summer.

A low key card but a pre-cursor to the Fair Friday meeting to come next week. As I have done before, I’ve abbreviated some of the ridiculously long race names. While sponsorship is welcomed I do wish they would go easy on the wording! That being said I’m quite happy to add a tag against the Betfair Series races as these are a fine initiative by Scottish Racing and the betting exchange.

6.40 5f Racing UK 2yo Maiden (Class 5)

MEMORY STYX has had plenty of goes and has been pretty consistent, but finally broke her duck in this contest. She broke well, was then held up in behind the leaders and came through to take the lead inside the final furlong. Nurseries presumably beckon.

SIMPLY BLACK went clear with the leader and put in a decent effort considering she made a hash of the start. She now qualifies for nurseries and should acquit herself well enough.

INSTANT ATTRACTION was held by the first two in the final furlong and this wasn’t as good as his previous effort at Newcastle.

Richard Fahey’s newcomer GYM SHOES ran a solid race in fourth. He’s  sprint bred and can improve for the experience.

Mark Johnston’s ABSCONDER was well outpaced from two out while Ann Duffield’s BOY RANGER couldn’t keep up with the others.

7.15 5f Bill and David McHarg Memorial 3yo Handicap (46-70)

This appeared a fair contest for its level with three recent winners at the top end of the weights.

LEXINGTON PLACE apparently spent three and a half hours in a traffic jam before reaching the course. Considering that then a small margin win was possibly a good deal better than it seems. He can win again, is 3 from 3 since joining David O’Meara, and certainly cope with a step back up in grade.

SALVATORE FURY had every chance in the final furlong but was outbattled in the closing stages. He wasn’t beaten far and is sure to be in the mix in similar races.

CHLOE’S DREAM took it up two out but was run out of the race in the final furlong. She won on firm last year, but has regularly found one or two too good this term.

PASTROAL PREY flattered briefly a furlong out but could make no further impact from that point.

ICHIMOKU led early but raced too keenly and didn’t see it out. Make note though that his best from to date has been with cut in the ground.

7.50 6f Hamilton-Park.co.uk Handicap (51-69) - Betfair Scottish Series Qualifier

There was a messy start and four of the six runners got involved in a bit of barging.

GRAN CANARIA QUEEN won with a bit in hand on seasonal debut and debut for Tim Easterby. She took charge over oen out and didn’t look like being caught afterwards. She may be well handicapped if she can continue the apparent improvement.

FEEL THE HEAT kept on well enough in the closing stages without threatening the winner and ran to his level.

FINDOG looked most inconvenienced by the argy-bargy at the start and stayed on in the closing stages. However, he doesn’t look straightforward and seems one to be a bit wary of until proving otherwise.

8.20 6f Book Now for Mid-Fair Friday Night Selling Handicap (45-60)

Selling handicaps used to be a stapled of these sorts of meetings in the north, but there aren’t nearly so many in evidence as there used to be. I doubt we will see too many winners come out of this one in the near future.

SAXONETTE doesn’t win very often but this was a very soft opportunity and she’d shown enough to take this, asserting in the last furlong.

LOTHAIR kept on for second but doesn’t look particularly co=operative and wont’ find many easier opportunities.

BUSY BIMBO, a 45-rated 29 race maiden, was outpaced to halfway but stayed on up the hill to take third. She’s likely to remain a maiden and the fact that she comfortably held BALTIC BOMBER, LOTHIAN COUNTESS, ROCK CANYON and LADY DEL SOL doesn’t bode well for their future prospects.

8.50 1m 3f Follow HamiltonParkRC on Twitter Handicap (67-72)

A closely matched field on official ratings but a progressive three-year-old made a nonsense of the figures.

Franny Norton travelled for one ride and made it pay with a win on SPECIAL MEANING. Setting the pace in typical style for a Mark Johnston runner, Norton pressed the button two out and his mounted picked up in impressive style to win going away.  This one is certainly going the right way, stays further and she should win again, quite possibly against better company.

ARGAKI travelled well but couldn’t cope with the winner’s speed and eventually just held on for second. A creditable effort against a decent winner.

ERIC THE GREY kept on well to challenge Argaki close home and there should be a handicap to be won with him sometime.

ROYAL STRAIGHT had conditions right but was up against it with improving three-year-olds in attendance. He can be considered if taking on exposed opponents on a similar surface.

9.20 1m 65yds  Racing UK App Handicap (56-69) – Betfair Scottish Series Qualifier

SILVER RIME wore down pacesetting Corton Lad in the closing stages, the pair clear. The winner has now won two on the trot having gone three years without a win previously.

CORTON LAD missed the start but was rushed up to lead after a furlong or so. He was sent on three out and battled well before being worn down in the closing stages. Having been bumped up to a mark of 70 from a previous 60 he has run two creditable races and does not appear handicapped out of things yet. This pair were well clear though and I’m not sure he would want to be raised for a second place.

RALPHY BOY was third and has not shown much since winning his first two races back in 2011. He could be returning to some form but I’d need more proof than this run.

Murray was winning Wimbledon..., meanwhile at Ayr racecourse

AYR – Sunday July 7^th

Going – Good To Firm (Good in places)

2.00 7f totejackpot 2yo Maiden Stakes (Class 5)

Three non-runners cut this event to a three-runner race. It turned into a head-to-head battle over the last three furlongs between SIR JACK LAYDEN and Lyn Valley, the former asserting in the final half furlong. The winner ran creditably in finishing seventh in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

LYN VALLEY stepped up significantly on a debut fourth at Musselburgh. He showed a good attitude and can win a race before long.

LONGTON made a fair debut, a little outpaced from two out off a steady early pace, but keeping on honestly enough. He’s with the right trainer and will come on for this.

2.30 7f totepool.com Fillies’ Handicap (73-83)

MAGIC DESTINY was very impressive in winning this. The other three were hard pressed from three out but Danny Tudhope allowed the winner to cruise home with any amount in hand. She can trouble better opponents.

JEANNIE GALLOWAY was very keen early on, but she kept on to hold second. She’s exposed which suggests that both ALICE’S DANCER, who closed gradually on the second in the final furlong, and SHESASTAR seem pretty much on their mark at this time.

3.00 1m 2f totequadpot Handicap (65-82)

Improving three-year-old ARGAKI tracked the leaders and took over two out, after which he was in clear control in the final furlong. He won a small field maiden at Hamilton and it could just be that form was under-rated. He relishes the fast ground and can follow up.

The remainder were in a heap, headed by RESET CITY and EUTROPIUS. NOW MY SUN pulled hard in the first half mile and never got in a blow, needing to settle better to make a mark.

FULL TOSS went well for the first mile on seasonal debut but faded quickly approaching the final furlong. He can improve on this with a run behind him.

3.30 1m 2f totetrifecta Handicap (39-60)

Not a great event, but won by BARTON BOUNTY who had scored previously over course and distance this season. He pulled clear in the final two furlongs in a duel with MEGLIO ANCORA. Nothing else got near the two and the fact that they are six-year-olds doesn’t bode particularly well for immediate prospects.

AMAZING BLUE SKY set the pace but folded tamely once headed over three out.

Handicap debutant CAPTAIN RHYRIC kept on steadily to finish fourth. He started handicaps off a lowly mark of 50, but there was a hint that he can get involved at the sharp end of contests in this class.

4.00 Graham Piatczanyn 50^th Birthday Handicap (61-70)

JEBEL TARA picked up the winning thread once again, well ridden by Paul Pickard who is a useful if perhaps slightly under-rated 3lb claimer. His mount doesn’t do an awful lot in front, which may have helped him get on a sequence. He hit the front one out and was stopping close home but the race was in the bag. He’ll be in a higher grade now as he ran off 70 here, but only just does enough and probably hasn’t finished winning for the year.

CORTON LAD and NIMIETY closed to the line but in truth the winner was a bit better. Both are worth noting in similar company as they have gone the right way this season.

WELLINGROVE briefly threatened two out but has lacked the final blow in his races to date.

4.30 1m Collect totepool winnings at Betfred Shops Handicap (76-90)

ABLE MASTER is a seven-year-old, but was recording a first ever win over a mile. He set the pace, Danny Tudhope gradually winding things up and his mount staying on most willingly.

OSTEOPATHIC REMEDY closed steadily in the latter stages but ran out of ground when half a length short. He runs honest races but is well exposed, though he may be best giving weight to inferiors.

ANOTHER FOR JOE had every chance but was held from the furlong pole.

LIMIT UP was made favourite and had every chance but weakened quickly in the final furlong. He raced a bit keenly which may not have helped.

ACT YOUR SHOE SIZE couldn’t repeat her recent winning  effort and was well held in the final two furlongs.

5.00 5f Western House Hotel Amateur Riders’ Handicap (44-64)

A ‘whose turn is today?’ event with amateur riders doesn’t rate as the best material either fro betting or future reference. The leaders went tanking off and 12 lengths separated the field after two furlongs.

FOREIGN RHYTHM was brought from midfield by Vicky Davies (nee Barr) and just held a fast finishing second. The winner is well exposed but often thereabouts in lowly sprints.

RYEDANE was well off the pace until halfway but rattled home in the final furlong and only just failed. He generally comes from off the pace and just couldn’t go with the others early on.

SAXONETTE was closer to the pace than the other two and kept on willingly to fill third, while WICKED WILMA ran a fair race but was held in fourth  and I suspect she would welcome a bit of cut these days…

…and then Andy Murray won at Wimbledon!