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Attentions turn to Scotland on Thursday for a competitive Hamilton Park card including a Class 2 handicap.
William Haggas' Khanjar currently heads the betting for 6f Class 2 Sodexo Live At Hamilton Park Clyde Handicap (3:35) based on a winning Haydock performance in September. The four-year-old has disappointing in three starts since but was only beaten four-and-a-half lengths on reappearance and is expected to improve for the run. Acklam Express can produce a competitive effort returning to handicap company after an unsuccessful run in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock Park. He has placed at Group level before and is selected to overturn the likely favourite.
It is difficult to see past Swordplay in the 6f Class 5 Sodexo Live 2YO Series EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (2:00). The Charlie Johnston-trained colt finished runner-up over 5f at this track on his racecourse debut and his late headway suggested he would excel over a longer trip. His experience over the track gives him the edge over Leicester debut winner Fengari, who did showed signs of greenness when edging left and right in the closing stages over 5f. He denied Mullins Beach by a head at the line but may be preferred over the minimum trip.
A small field of five has assembled for the 6f Class 5 Mac Roberts LLP Leading Commercial Law Firm Scotland Novice Stakes (2:30) including the George Boughey-trained Crow's Nest. The US Navy Flag colt looked a little one-paced in the closing stages when third at Windsor but the yard is in tremendous form with a 20% strike rate over the last fourteen days (8-40).
Havana Party will be aiming to record back-to-back victories in the 1m1f Class 5 Exclusivley Yours Weddings At Hamilton Park Handicap (3:00) after first-time blinkers set him alight over 1m2f at Ayr. The five-year-old was considerably more prominent than he usually is and if the blinkers retain their impact, Havana Party can add to an already solid record over course and distance (1-3).
There are two last-start winners on show in the 1m5f Class 4 Gartcraig Inn Always A Warm Welcome Handicap (4:10). Thermoscape is the preferred option of the pair after an impressive nine length success on his stable debut at Musselburgh. He's had to take a step up in grade and the yard have found him a very winnable opportunity, despite having to shoulder top weight. Grace's Quest is not dismissed after her success at Carlisle but she is yet to win over this distance (0-4).
In the 6f Class 5 Come Racing At Hamilton Park Handicap (4:45), Elladora will be aiming to replicate her course and distance success from two weeks ago. She steps up in grade after making all to score by two-and-three-quarter lengths and would be the favoured option in a six-runner field.
Prince Achilles looks the best of the thirteen runners in the 1m4f Class 6 #Cleanstay At Hampton By Hilton Handicap. He has been in great order since starting the new campaign with a narrow success at Carlisle preceded by a third at Catterick. Jockey Billy Garritty is enjoying plenty of success in the last fourteen days with a strike rate of 21% (6-28).
RACING & SPORT SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – SWORDPLAY
RACE 2 – CROW'S NEST
RACE 3 – HAVANA PARTY
RACE 4 – ACKLAM EXPRESS
RACE 5 – THERMOSCAPE
RACE 6 - ELLADORA
