4.00pm Hamilton Tips & Betting Preview 04/07/2017

A field of ten go to post for the fifth race of the day at Hamilton on Tuesday afternoon, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Davy’s Dilemma was well suited by the step up in trip on his latest start and is an obvious danger but everything is in place for LEVEN to make a winning handicap debut for the inform John Shanahan. He has run three moderate races in maidens thus far but it’s always been obvious that handicaps would be his level and an opening mark of 59 severely underestimates his potential. He goes up in trip for his handicap bow with the blinkers employed, so he should take all the beating with Royston Ffrench onboard to do the steering off this basement weight.

1 MARMION – Won at Ripon on his penultimate start when clearing away late on but he was unable to match that form when raised six pounds since over the same course and distance. He was well beaten in fifth and never dangerous, so the step up in trip could suit on that evidence. More is needed though and he’s not the easiest to predict, so he’s a risky play. Danny Tudhope takes the ride and he should be treated with a degree of caution.

2 FALCON’S FIRE – Now only a pound above his last winning mark and although he was a good third at Musselburgh four starts ago, his form has slipped the last thrice and he now has something to prove. He never threatened at Newcastle three days ago and it’s hard to build a case for him, especially with such a small gap between races.

3 DAVY’S DILEMMA – Step up in trip to the 1m 6f distance worked wonders on his latest start when staying on strongly to lead towards the line and he’s been raised only two pounds since. Very good chance of following up again with conditions to suit and the inform Paul Mulrennan takes the ride. Micheal Dods’ string are flying at present with eight winner from their last thirty and his claims are obvious.

4 TOR – Running well the last twice for Iain Jardine and he was only a length behind Davy’s Dilemma when last seen at Wetherby, gaining a two pound pull with that rival. That runner perhaps has more potential though and a reverse of terms looks unlikely, though Jamie Gormley does retain the ride and takes seven pounds off his back. Each way contender for connections in the winners at present but no more than that.

5 WORDSEARCH – Lightly raced three year old who was far from disgraced on his seasonal debut at Lingfield, hampered at a crucial stage before keeping on towards the finish and he remains on the same mark. Likely to come on for the run and this step up in trip should suit him, judging by his pedigree. Josie Gordon takes the ride for the inform Hugo Palmer yard and he’s another who should be in the shake-up.

6 ADDICTED TO YOU – Won an all weather maiden three starts ago at Lingfield in a four runner race when given the run of the race, clinging on towards the finish. Only fourth at Carlisle on his handicap debut but he remains on the same mark and should be happier back up in trip for Mark Johnston. Joe Fanning takes the ride and he’s one to consider for the placings, especially if given a soft lead.

7 LADY NATASHA – Career best on seasonal debut when second at Doncaster (beaten five lengths) but she failed to back that up when well beaten at Ayr last month, beaten around eight lengths. Perhaps that run came too soon but she still has something to prove and others bring much better form into the race on balance. Jordan Vaughan takes off three pounds which is helpful but she’s unlikely to be winning this.

8 PICTURE PAINTER – Well held over the 1m 2f distance on his latest flat start but he has run well the last twice over hurdles at the 2m 4f distance. On that basis, a step up in trip back on the flat should suit him, though he is still a sixteen race maiden over both codes and that presents obvious risks. Possible place claims if things go right for him but he remains vulnerable for win purposes Jim Goldie.

9 ARCHIBELLE – Just outbattled on her penultimate start over the extended 1m 3f trip on her penultimate start and she was unsuited by the drop back in trip when well beaten at Ayr when last seen. Inconsistent type for Mike Smith so it’s hard to know what you’ll be getting but she’s impossible to rule out for the placings with conditions likely to be fine.

10 LEVEN – Three ordinary runs in maidens for John Shanahan, showing some promise on his second start at Ayr but it was always obvious handicapping would be where he found his feet. He starts off in the handicaps off a very lenient mark of 59 and the blinkers are added on handicap debut, so he looks set to make it a winning one as the step up in trip is only in his favour. Royston Ffrench takes the ride and he will take all the stopping off a basement weight.