The Sunday Series moves north of the border this weekend, as Hamilton hosts a competitive seven-race card for ITV viewers. GG tipster Joe Napier has picked out three selections, including one for a trainer who has never had a runner at the track…
4.45 Hamilton – Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap
The two in-for runners in King’s Scholar and Savrola must be feared after finishing first and second in a course and distance handicap recently. However, one who may be rounding back to form is PER CONTRA, who had showed promising form for Ollie Sanngster and may now be acclimatised to new surroundings with Tim Easterby.
The four-year-old won on three of his first four career starts, but seemed to lose his way for Sangster when down the field on his last three runs for his previous handler. He was also well-held on his first two races for Easterby, but improved significantly to finish third at Chester last time out.
That result came despite racing wide round the Roodee, which must have seen him cover significantly more yardage than the first two, and he was still only beaten ¾-of-a-length. His mark of 85 is tempting on previous efforts, especially as this 1m5f trip could bring out more from him again.
5.15 Hamilton – Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap
Harry Charlton is yet to have a runner at Hamilton, so there must be a fair reason why BLUE DAY is venturing so far north of Wiltshire to compete in this 5f handicap.
The son of Blue Point had run to a decent level over 6f throughout his career up until April, though had only won once in ten starts. A drop back to the minimum trip worked wonders at Ascot at the end of that month however, as he won off a mark of 81, then nearly followed up at Haydock off 6lb higher despite rearing at the start.
He is another 2lb higher again here, but his haydock conqueror was the runner-up from his Ascot race off 6lb better terms, so the selection looks to have improved immensely for racing over 5f. If he behaves at the start, the long journey north may prove a fruitful one.
5.45 Hamilton – Sky Bet Proud To Support ROR Fillies’ Handicap
With plenty of rain in the forecast ahead of Sunday, conditions could well come good for LUNAR ECLIPSE, whose soft ground form makes her of major interest for this fillies’ handicap.
The four-year-old has only raced five times, so there is low mileage in the tank for this daughter of Night Of Thunder. She was a debut winner on heavy at Newmarket in November 2023, and was also third on her handicap debut there in October having had to endure 183 and 171-day breaks in between. She followed that up with an eighth in Listed company in which she travelled better than the bare result.
She possibly ended up challenging too soon and on the wrong part of the track, so this drop in trip by a furlong to 1m1f looks ideal. She can be forgiven a poor comeback run on the all-weather and a mark of 82 could well underestimate her on her optimum going.
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