3.30pm Hamilton Tips & Betting Preview 04/07/2017

Thirteen go to post for the fourth race of the day at Hamilton on Tuesday afternoon, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Ever consistent and reliable, WEEKEND OFFENDER won two starts ago at York and ran another cracking race to finish third in a tough looking race at Nottingham in April on return. He should come on hugely for the run and off the same mark looks very tough to beat under Tom Eaves with conditions to suit. Gulf Of Poets arrives on the five timer and looks the chief danger, with Nicholas T thriving of late so he merits place chances.

1 HIGHLAND COLORI – Has been performing well the last twice for Andrew Balding, finishing fourth at both Newmarket and Windsor in some tough looking races. He is now only one pound above his last winning mark and conditions will be no problem. Likely to run his race under Liam Keniry and he’s one to consider for the placings, as he is tactically versatile so can adapt to any situation the race throws at him.

2 IONIZATION – Has finished second here at Hamilton the last twice for John Shanahan, last seen 24 days ago where she was headed on the post in unlucky fashion. The front two were clear that day which is positive and she’s down one pound in the handicap, so she’s likely to be on the premises again with conditions to suit. Clifford Lee takes off a useful five pounds and she shouldn’t be underestimated.

3 LINCOLN ROCKS – Course and distance winner who gained her fifth career success when winning at Musselburgh seventeen days ago, making all in game fashion despite being pressed strongly in the final furlong. She’s up five pounds which is manageable back at this track with conditions to suit and Danny Tudhope taking the ride. Possible each way contender but others are preferred for win purposes.

4 LAT HAWILL – No wins from nineteen starts in the past two years for Keith Dalgleish and he had no answer for Nicholas T on his latest start at Ayr ten days ago, finishing a never dangerous last. He was hampered that day but it was doubtful that he would have ever got involved and more is needed from only two pound lower if he’s to feature. Others have sounder claims and he’s likely to miss out on the placings.

5 NICHOLAS T – Arrives on a hat-trick for trainer Jim Goldie, overcoming a five pound rise to win by half a length at Ayr ten days ago and as a result he’s up a further three pounds. He was keen early that day and still seemed to win with something in hand, so there is likely more to come from this son of Rail Link. He looks set to go close under Paul Mulrennan if in the same form again and has to be respected.

6 GULF OF POETS – Has rattled off four successive victories and faces his toughest test yet as he goes up in class to try and gain the five timer for Michael Easterby. He was well in command after travelling powerfully throughout at Haydock in June, perhaps looking value for another success. A six pound rise does demand more against stiffer opposition though and a drop back in trip is questionable. Likely place claims but his run looks set to come to an end on these terms.

7 WEEKEND OFFENDER – Very consistent runner for Kevin Ryan who hasn’t finished outside the top four since May 2016, winning on his penultimate start at York. He was raised three pounds on the back of that run but he again performed admirably on his seasonal debut to finish third at Nottingham in a tough looking race. He remains on the same mark and he should have come on hugely for the run, so looks very tough to beat under Tom Eaves if in the same form again.

8 MASHAM STAR – Ran a good race in the Haydock Silver Bowl when finishing third and he’s now four pounds below that mark after facing some tough opposition the last twice, never likely to threaten in the Brittania Stakes at Royal Ascot when last seen. At his best he has a fighting chance with conditions to suit as he was just missing out from marks higher than this earlier this year. Likely to be on the premises under PJ McDonald and is another to consider.

9 HIBOU – Out of form until stepping back in the right direction to finish third at Ayr in June, keeping on well after a slow beginning. He remains on the same mark and has place possibilities with conditions to suit, though the drop back to the mile isn’t certain to suit. If this goes a strong pace he should be coming fast and late under David Nolan but perhaps he’s vulnerable for win purposes.

10 AARDWOLF – Made all in decisive style when holding on well a Doncaster over the seven furlong trip four starts ago but he’s two pounds higher today and has struggled in three starts since. He was well beaten at Ayr on his latest start and the step up in trip today is far from guaranteed to suit and he will likely have company at the front. Best watched again.

11 ZORAVAN – Won back in April over the seven furlong trip when making all but he has been very poor since for Keith Dalgleish, well beaten in five starts and it’s hard to make a case for him on that basis despite the fact he’s now only a pound above his last winning mark. He will have company out in front with Aardwolf and this softer ground isn’t guaranteed to suit, so he’s another who is booked for a struggle.

12 MUTAHAADY – Got back to winning ways on his latest start at Redcar, keeping on strongly in the five runner contest to land the spoils. This however is a much tougher race and a three pound rise should be enough to catch him out for Karl Burke. Conditions will be fine and he has an outside place chance with Jordan Vaughan taking off three pounds but others have far more going for them.

13 ALEXANDRAKOLLONTAI – Ran well at Musselburgh on his latest start behind Lincoln Rocks but a turnaround with that rival looks very unlikely. This is a tougher race though and this inconsistent sort isn’t one to rely on to back up a good run, so he’s likely booked for a very minor role under James Sullivan.