Racecards
15:05 Hamilton Park
Donald Storrie Group Selling Stakes (Class 6)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 5f 4y
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £3,500 added
- Form 087068
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 42
- Trainer A Berry
- Jockey Billy Cray
broke well, soon hung right, dropped to rear after 2f
- Form 709546
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer Miss Tracy Waggott
- Jockey A Heffernan
held up in touch, ridden halfway, improved to 3rd over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd post
- Form 830900
- Age 6
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer C Grant
- Jockey Jamie Kyne
outpaced and behind, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, never nearer
- Form 0-00086
- Age 6
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 40
- Trainer D A Nolan
- Jockey D Fentiman
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
- Form 060537
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 46
- Trainer J R Weymes
- Jockey M Coumbe
close up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
- Form 706776
- Age 9
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 53
- Trainer R M Whitaker
- Jockey Amy Ryan
chased leader, hung right from 2f out, driven and stayed on to lead final 100 yards
- Form 249474
- Age 5
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey T Hamilton
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, kept on to go 4th inside final furlong, never nearer
- Form 068047
- Age 4
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer Peter Grayson
- Jockey Greg Fairley
led, ridden 2f out, headed final 100 yards, lost 2nd post
- Form 040000-
- Age 5
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer J R Weymes
- Jockey P McDonald
held up, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
In depth
Verdict
STEEL BLUE is taken to get the better of Strathmore and Paddy Jack. There are grave concerns regarding the chances of all the runners in this field but Strathmore is likely to start favourite as he's a relatively consistent cove with an obvious chance at the weights but he's fared better on the all-weather, has it to prove on soft and has only managed two successes. That, at least, is two better than Paddy Jack who has found just one too good on five occasions but he's effective at this trip and with some cut in the ground. Captain Royale has shown some signs of a revival of late and could conceivably figure whilst Desert Ben has a clear chance on the best of last season's form although that seems to be a distant memory at present. This trip is on the short side for veteran campaigner Steel Blue who failed to get competitive over six at Newmarket in this grade last time when behind Captain Royale. He had no excuses so has something to do in order to turn the form around but he handles the ground and victory for Steel Blue would be a fitting way to celebrate his one hundredth start.
Formwatch
Mr Rooney (IRE) 25-1 (7-13) Soon outpaced towards rear, pushed along and no headway final 2f, 8th of 9, 9l behind Ingleby Star (9-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Captain Royale (IRE) 17-2 (8-3) With leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 18, 2 3/4l behind Just Sam (9-3) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Desert Ben (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 18, 8l behind Just Sam (9-3) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Howards Prince 100-1 (9-0) Close up, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 23l behind Blue Tomato (9-6) at Hamilton 5f sell stks (6) gd in Jul.
Paddy Jack 10-1 (9-6) Led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 9l behind Nabra (8-8) at Ripon 5f mdn stks (5) gf.
Steel Blue 18-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Sea Salt (9-2) at Newcastle 6f sell stks (6) gf.
Strathmore (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Botham (10-0) at Hamilton 6f app hcp (6) gs.
Rightcar Lewis 20-1 (9-0) Went left start, soon in touch, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 4l behind What A Fella (8-9) at Hamilton 5f mdn sll stks (6) gf in Jul.
Rue Soleil 50-1 (8-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 20l behind City For Conquest (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Nov.