Adam Kirby enjoyed a treble on the corresponding card at Windsor last year and arrives at the track with a good pair of rides for boss Clive Cox. The pair won last year’s 6f Maiden with Ticks the Boxes and bid to follow-up with the well-bred Cover Charge however Highland Duke (7.55) looks the combination’s best chance of a winner in the handicap over an extended mile. The selection capitalised on his tumbling mark when finishing an excellent second over course and distance three weeks ago under Megan Nicholls and should remain competitive from a 2lb higher mark.
William Haggas’ string remain in excellent form and his filly Sealife (8.25) can make a winning debut under Pat Cosgrave in the maiden over an extended mile. The daughter of Sea the Stars cost 125,000 guineas at the sales and, being related to plenty of winners, is an exciting debutante for trainer and connections alike. She wouldn’t need to be anything too special to win a maiden of this calibre and is taken to get the better of the exposed pair of Spirited Acclaim and Lemoncetta respectively.
The Brian Millman yard are going through something of a purple patch and with the yard in much better form it could be worth taking a chance on Biotic (8.55) in the finale. The gelding has just one win to his name from eight starts on turf however hinted at something of a revival when fourth last time out at Sandown, beaten only two and a half lengths in a competitive handicap over ten furlongs. The form of that race has worked out particularly well and the 4-y-o can score a third career success under Freddie Tylicki, making his debut in the plate aboard the gelding.
There’s terrific summer jumping from Worcester where Patricktom Boru (2.20) can continue his excellent from over both hurdles and fences under regular partner Adam Wedge in the opener. The 8-y-o has thrived since scoring at Ffos Las in May, winning three of his last four starts, and couldn’t have been more impressive when staying on strongly to win at the track last week. The selection scored over timber from a mark of 92 just five days ago and should remain competitive from an unrevised mark over the larger obstacles.
Anthony Honeyball’s mare Maries Des Anges is a fascinating runner in the feature handicap chase over two and a half miles after an excellent second over course and distance two starts back and following-up by chasing home subsequent winner Noble Friend over an inadequate trio last month at Fontwell. She must go close under 7lb conditional Derek Noonan however a chance is taken on Jonjo O’Neill’s Foundation Man (2.50) under Will Kennedy. The selection has been dropped 10lb for lacklustre efforts in defeat since bolting-up on his seasonal debut at Wetherby and is now 2lb lower than scoring at the West Yorkshire track. On his preferred ground and trip he must go clos, should the market speak in his favour.
Fourteen go to post for the feature 5f Handicap this afternoon at Hamilton where Lexington Place will be a likely warm favourite to complete the four-timer for Ruth Carr and James Sullivan. He is respected having only been raised 2lb for his last success however with showers forecast a chance is taken on Michael Dods’ Gowanharry (5.05) under Conor Beasley. The mare loves to get her toe in and after a brace of efforts at Wetherby and Nottingham looks poised to pounce at the third time of asking.
At Ripon, Little Swift (6.35) should make it third time lucky after nabbed in the closing stages last week at Newbury. David Simcock’s filly looked sure to score before being caught later home however was just unfortunate to bump into one on the day and can make swift amends under regular partner Oisin Murphy.
Muphy can double-up aboard Mighty Zip (8.05) in the feature 6f handicap for Qatar Racing and Kevin Ryan. The well-bred colt has taken time to come to hand but scored impressively at York and was far from disgraced on his handicap debut when failing to stay seven furlongs on the all-weather last month. He should prove even better dropping back in trip and, with the form of that Kempton third franked since, the colt is a confident selection to reward each-way support.
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