7.45pm Hamilton Tips & Betting Preview 03/07/2017

A field of eight go to post for this middle distance handicap on Monday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Al Destoor hacked up on softer ground at Chester 23 days ago but he is up nine pounds which asks for plenty more and that hands the advantage to SENNOCKIAN STAR. He was disappointing on his latest start at Ayr but prior to that he had been running respectably in some tough races for Mark Johnston, including a fifth at Epsom in June. He is now three pounds lower than that penultimate mark and he looks to be the only pace angle in the race, so he can make them pay from the front. Warp Factor usually runs his race at this level and can fill the frame due to his consistency.

1 AL DESTOOR – Hacked up on his latest start at Chester for Jennie Candlish, storming away to win by five lengths and as a result he’s been raised by nine pounds in the handicap. That brings him to a career high mark and he’s up in class too, so further improvement is certainly needed. He is opposable in this contest on that basis under David Nolan and he’s likely a place contender with conditions to suit.

2 GAELIC TIGER – Running well in the headgear the last twice for David O’Meara, winning on his penultimate start at Hamilton and he was far from disgraced off a three pound higher mark when third at Windsor three weeks ago. Interesting back at this venue and he has a fighting chance if in the same form again under Danny Tudhope. Likely to be on the premises for in form connections and cannot be ruled out with any confidence.

3 SENNOCKIAN STAR – Disappointing on his latest start but prior to that he had been running well in some tough races for Mark Johnston, finishing fifth at Epsom on his penultimate start and he’s now three pounds lower for today’s run. That means he is two pounds below his last winning mark and he looks to be the only pace angle in the race, so he can make these pay from the front under Joe Fanning.

4 CAPE OF GLORY – Ran well enough on the all weather back in February at Newcastle but he followed it up with a poor run at Ayr nine days ago and the blinkers aren’t sure to have a positive effect. He is yet to win on the turf, with both his wins coming on the all weather surface and he looks up against it in a competitive looking race under Graham Lee. Others make far more appeal on this occasion.

5 MY BROTHER – Just missed out over the 1m 3f distance here on his latest start, keeping on strongly after rallying gamely to go down by a neck to Gaelic Tiger and he has been gelded since. Step up in trip looks likely to be in his favour and the very much in form Philip Makin takes the ride, which makes him hugely interesting. He is still lightly raced with only six runs and looks a big threat if taking another step forward.

6 BE PERFECT – Inconsistent sort who is very much all or nothing for Ruth Carr, winning at Beverley over this distance in April but he followed that up with three terrible runs at Doncaster and York the last twice. Back down to a mark of 84 but he makes little appeal judged on his current form and it’s very easy to look elsewhere with conditions not guaranteed to suit.

7 WARP FACTOR – Consistent sort for John Shanahan who usually runs his race, finishing third at York on his latest flat start when keeping on well. He is only one pound higher this time around and conditions are to suit, so he cannot be discounted after a good hurdling run at Tramore when last seen. Likely to be the main danger to the selection under Tadhg O’Shea and has to be considered.

8 MISTER BELVEDERE – Hasn’t been beaten far on his last three runs for Michael Dods, last seen at Haydock when fifth, keeping on well and only beaten around three lengths. He is down one pound in the handicap, but this is a tougher race and he looks to lack a final gear change. Paul Mulrennan retains the ride and he’s a possible each way contender, but it’s hard to envisage him winning this with what he’s shown this season.