The Derby form took a bit of a knock at the weekend when winner Wings Of Eagles could only finish third at the Curragh in the Irish equivalent although it should be pointed out that he suffered a career-ending injury during the race. The Epsom classic form is likely to be tested further this weekend when Derby runner up Cliffs Of Moher lines up in the Eclipse at Sandown as the classic generation take on their elders over ten furlongs in what should be a cracking renewal of this prestigious and valuable Coral sponsored Group One contest.
Three-year-olds dominate the antepost market with Cliffs Of Moher (5/2 favourite at BetVictor), St James's Palace Stakes winner Barney Roy (4/1) and Derby fourth Eminent (9/2) at the head of the market at the five-day stage. Do note the latter was reported to have clocked 40mph on the Newmarket gallops last week in his build up to the race!
The feature race at Hamilton this afternoon is an extended mile handicap and I've been waiting for the return of Weekend Offender (3.30) for the best part of three months having made such an encouraging seasonal debut at Nottingham back in April. That form has worked out very well and the selection can race from the same mark this afternoon. The Kevin Ryan yard have had a difficult few months but had a couple of welcome winners over the weekend.
Mick Easterby's Gulf Of Poets and Jim Goldie's Nicholas T are in the form of their lives, but the selection is also open to significant improvement and gets the each way vote as long as the ground is no worse than good to soft with a tissue price of 8/1 at BetVictor.
Torcello (3.00) could have had a better draw but is taken to go one better than when runner up to a Godolphin colt at Carlisle on debut. The winner ran a cracker off a mark of 82 last weekend and Andrew Balding's colt is a half-brother to seven winners.
Wee Jock (5.30) made all under the stands' rail over C&D last month and a 6lbs penalty may not be enough to prevent this Irish raider from following up with what looks another decent draw in stall 11 of 12.
At Stratford Altiepix (7.20) finished third under this evening's talented conditional over C&D last month in what looked a better race than this evening's. Richard Patrick is a jockey we are going to hear a lot more of and is excellent value for his 7lbs.
Braqueur D'Or (8.20) looked a non-stayer over an extended three-and-a-quarter miles at Newton Abbot on his chase debut and this return to 2m 6f should be perfect for Paul Nicholls' six-year-old. No Such Number has won four on the spin for Maurice Barnes and is only 5lbs higher than for his last win at Uttoxeter but the selection is open to significant improvement and gets the vote.
Over at Chepstow and it was a good maiden that Barraquero (6.40) finished third on debut at Newbury and that represents the best form on offer with Brian Meehan's colt open to plenty of improvement. It might be worth noting that Newmarket work rider and former champion jockey Kieren Fallon was asked to give a horse to follow for the remainder of the turf season and nominated Expert Eye who landed the maiden at the Berkshire track that the selection made his debut.
Hawkerland (9.10) is a horse I think has much more to offer over staying trips having needed every yard of the mile-and-a-half trip when getting up close home under Ryan Moore. The step up to two miles in tonight's finale will help and the Marcus Tregoning-trained gelding may have most to fear from the father and daughter combination of Paul and Megan Nicholls.
For all your racing odds check out BetVictor.com.
