15:30 Hamilton

Thursday 16 July 2020

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Birra Moretti Handicap

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 1m 47.0s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Masham Star⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 75| D

5/1

Well handicapped on past form and is better than he showed at Lingfield (1m, AW standard) last time out. Losing sequence currently stands at 23 races since a win and the stiff nature of this course might find him out once again.

Form: 6-55449

(9)

Tadaawol^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 72| D

18/1

Another to have dropped to handy mark as a result of some mixed form but he's been well beaten in both starts since the resumption of racing and he's hard to fancy here.

Form: 4034-06

(6)

Four Kingdoms²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mathers| T: R M Smith| OR: 72

40/1

Won at Haydock over 1m2f (good to firm) last August but not looked like adding to his tally since. He does act well at Hamilton but a poor effort on last month's return to action at Haydock is a further dent to any confidence.

Form: 51200-8

(10)

My Macho Man²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 76| D

6/1

Debut win on the AW (in February) was a bolt form the blue for some (touched 40/1 in the betting before being returned as a 25/1 winner) but he was never really in contention to follow up at Beverley last month; more to do now handicapping.

Form: 17

(4)

Jamil²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: T Eaves| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 68| CD

50/1

Won over an extended mile here when with Roger Varian last year but seemed to lose his way and has finished last in both his previous starts since joining his current yard. Big improvement needed now.

Form: 178/50-0

(2)

Old Harbour²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 74

9/4

Made a successful switch to turf/handicaps when making all at Beverley (7.5f, Good) last month but was only third when attempting a quick follow up shortly after. Still early days and a more patient ride could get the colt back on the right path.

Form: 32413

(7)

Kuwait Shield¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D Nolan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74

4/1

Showed ability last season and was good value for his 7f win at Catterick last September; been well held twice over this trip since his return but not unfeasible to think he'll be better now he's had a couple of recent outings; betting can guide.

Form: 6512-40

(5)

Ralphy Boy Two²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: G Lee| T: A C Whillans| OR: 69

7/1

Won a 7f nursery from this mark at Carlisle last August but posted mixed form since; his latest effort was an underwhelming display at Beverley last month and left a lot to be desired. Needs to also prove a mile is withing his compass.

Form: 2182-47

(1)

Scots Sonnet⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Phil Dennis| T: J S Goldie| OR: 58

10/1

0-12 in all races so far and makes very limited appeal after finishing tenth of 14 here last weekend. Runs from the same mark and would be surprising if he's anywhere near good enough to win this.

Form: 74009-0

Non-Runners

(3)

Amber Storm¹⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: K Dalgleish J: Ben Sanderson

Forecasts

Old Harbour (9/4), Amber Storm (5/2), Kuwait Shield (4/1), Masham Star (5/1), My Macho Man (6/1), Ralphy Boy Two (7/1), Scots Sonnet (10/1), Tadaawol (18/1), Four Kingdoms (40/1), Jamil (50/1)

Mark Johnston sends a strong team to Scotland for today's card and can strike another blow if OLD HARBOUR can get into a better rhythm than he did over a slightly shorter trip last time out. Joe Fanning was also in the plate than day and his tactics from the saddle with have a major impact on the outcome of this modest handicap. Amber Storm is unexposed and, having won her maiden in good style last time out, she can pose a potent threat to them all here. Kuwait Shield is an interesting one to note in the betting, while Masham Star, a stablemate of the selection, has dropped to very attractive mark and can be considered competitive on the pick of his past form.