Good Going Sets Up Cracking Evening Card
Saturday evening at Hamilton Park promises to be a right treat for jump racing enthusiasts, with the going reported as Good, Good to Soft in places - perfect conditions for some proper National Hunt action. The Scottish venue has pulled together an eight-race card that'll keep us busy until well past eight o'clock, and there's quality scattered throughout.
Paul Nicholls has made the journey north with a couple of his string, which immediately tells you the prize money is worth chasing. When the Ditcheat maestro sends horses to Scotland on a Saturday evening, you sit up and take notice. The going conditions will suit most types tonight, though those with a preference for cut in the ground might find themselves at a slight disadvantage on the better patches.
Feature Race: Novices' Chase Headlines the Card
The pick of the evening has to be the 18:15 Max and Naomi Are Getting Married Novices' Limited Handicap Steeplechase, worth £16,500 to the winner. It's a Class 3 affair over two miles and four furlongs, and wouldn't you know it - Paul Nicholls has Sonigino primed and ready for action.
This nine-year-old is rated 132 and carries the 'D' marker for distance form, which in a novice chase is worth its weight in gold. Sam Twiston-Davies has been booked for the ride, and that's another positive sign. The Nicholls-Twiston-Davies combination doesn't travel this far north for the scenery.
Rubber Ball from Neil King's yard looks the main danger on a rating of 127, with Jack Quinlan doing the steering. This six-year-old is still learning his trade over the bigger obstacles, but the handicapper has given him a fighting chance. Crackerjacque completes what looks like a three-horse race, though at 123 he'll need to find improvement to trouble the principals.
Selling Hurdle Sets the Tone
The opener at 16:40 is a fascinating little puzzle, headlined by another Nicholls runner in Seeyouinmydreams. Now, this eight-year-old is rated 121 in a selling hurdle, which either means he's completely lost his form or the master trainer knows something we don't. In selling company, that rating makes him a walking certainty on paper.
Mr Sam Burton takes the ride on Palm Beach for Victor Thompson, and while the amateur jockey allowance helps, this looks a tough ask against the Nicholls runner. Demoiselle Kap is another with a big rating at 113, but she's been disappointing lately and might be vulnerable in the selling ranks.
Going Conditions Favour the Speedier Types
With the ground on the better side of good, horses with a bit of pace will have the edge tonight. The Good to Soft patches might help the stamina-laden types in the longer races, but overall, this is ground that'll reward class and speed over pure staying power.
Handicap Hurdle Provides Competitive Heat
The 18:45 handicap hurdle over two miles looks a proper competitive affair, with Lawrenny heading the weights for Jennie Candlish. This seven-year-old has both course and distance form - always a massive plus at Hamilton Park where local knowledge counts for plenty.
Filibustering and Marhaba Prince are both rated 115 and represent Harry Derham and Anthony Honeyball respectively. Both have distance form, but I'm drawn to Winds of Winter at the bottom of the weights. This eight-year-old has course and distance form and gets in light under Jonathon Bewley.
Marathon Test to Close the Evening
The 19:45 contest over three miles and 41 yards will sort the men from the boys in terms of stamina. Ribeye is an eleven-year-old warrior with course and distance form who knows exactly what's required around here. At this stage of his career, he's probably better than his rating suggests.
Princesse Milania is an interesting runner for Mark Walford, while Poetry Man has been consistent without winning lately. In these marathon affairs, it often pays to side with the course specialists, and Kicksaftersix fits that bill perfectly with his course and distance credentials.
Late Hurdle Provides Punting Puzzle
The closing hurdle at 20:15 is a proper cavalry charge with sixteen runners going to post. William of York heads the market on ratings, but in a field this size, you need a bit of luck in running. Divilabother has course form and represents good value, while Wee Alki has both course and distance form at a decent price.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
If I'm having a punt tonight, Seeyouinmydreams in the opener looks too well handicapped for selling company, despite his recent struggles. The Nicholls factor alone makes him worth backing at any reasonable price.
Sonigino in the feature race should take all the beating if he's anywhere near his best. The combination of class, distance form, and the Nicholls-Twiston-Davies partnership is hard to oppose.
For a bit of value, Winds of Winter in the 18:45 handicap hurdle appeals as a course and distance winner getting in at the bottom of the weights. Sometimes the handicapper's mercy is a gift worth accepting.
The evening racing at Hamilton always provides good sport, and tonight's card should be no different. The going is perfect for most types, and with quality runners like the Nicholls pair leading the charge, we're in for a treat. Just remember - when Paul Nicholls sends them this far north, they usually mean business.
