Hi all,
I do like a good sprint handicap and we have one this evening with the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton this evening with plenty of old favourites are in the 14 strong line up.
Hamilton
7:40 – Heineken UK Scottish Stewards’ Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
The going is currently good to firm but plenty of rain is being forecast for this afternoon and evening so the going could ease substantially before post time.
Last years winner George Bowen was slowly away at York last time but is just 2lb higher than last year and back to back wins in the race is a definite possibility although any easing of the ground probably won’t be in his favour.
Staxton, bounced back with a seasonal best when winning at Newcastle 20-days ago. Returns to turf today off 5lb higher but the 4-year-old is 2 wins from 5 runs 4 placed on good to soft and could easily win again, given this time of year seems to bring out the best in the 4-year-old. High on the shortlist although there will be a few vying for the early lead.
Another who would be suited by good to soft is Laugh A Minute. The Roger Varian trained gelding makes his handicap debut off a competitive mark. No match for Invincible Army in a Group 3 at Newcastle 20-days ago. However, he’s got plenty of form on an easy surface and could get the strong pace he needs here.
The more rain the better for C&D winner Air Raid, 2 from 2 over C&D and 3 from 4 on soft ground. Golden Apollo a stablemate of Staxton is also suited by some juice in the ground and put in a seasonal best when runner-up at York 20-days ago.
Of those further down the betting Aeolus isn’t without a chance for Ruth Carr. Granted he only won once since the summer of 2015, that win came in April of last year at Newmarket, on good to soft off 11lb higher. It’s also worth noting he was beaten less than a length in the 2017 Goodwood Stewards Cup off 14lb higher. Yet to hit anything like that form so far for Ruth Carr but the 8-year-old is well handicapped if he does.
Verdict: In the hope that the weatherman are right and there’s soft in the going description, I’m happy to go with Staxton, Laugh A Minute and Aeolus.
Staxton – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betway
Laugh A Minute – 7/1 @ Paddy Power or 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Aeolus – 25/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – each way (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
A second selection for today which runs in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan this evening.
Kilbeggan
8:15 – AXA Smart Farm Insurance Midlands National Handicap Chase – 3m 1f
Gordon Elliott won this race with Timiyan but the horse subsequently lost the race after a routine dope test. He saddles 8 of the 14 declared runners including last years first past the post and It’s Timiyan I like. The 8-year-old is 4lb higher than last year, but he looks on a competitive mark again and remains at the right end of the handicap. Most of his best form has come on a sound surface but he does have winning form on softer. He doesn’t have the benefit of a recent run, this will be his first since pulling up in the valuable Troytown Handicap Chase 236-days ago, but he’s gone well fresh in the past 2 wins from 3 runs +9.25 when racing 121 to 365-days since his last start. The track suits and he look’s overpriced to me at the 20/1 available.
Timiyan – 20/1 @ William Hill – each way – (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Let’s hope we can get the weekend off to a good start with a winner.
Cheers
John