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SEPAL (7.35) can complete a quick hat-trick for Iain Jardine in the historic Ladbrokes-sponsored Lanark Silver Bell at Hamilton.
The filly is at the top of her game, readily pulling clear of her rivals at Thirsk on Monday on ground that was drying all the time. Sepal must defy a double penalty in higher grade but Jamie Gormley takes off a valuable 7lb.
She was mighty impressive on soft ground at Ayr on her previous outing and will revel in the testing underfoot conditions expected at Hamilton, with some heavy showers forecast in late afternoon/early evening.
Ralph Beckett’s Birmham Rocks returns to the scene of an easy course victory following a poor run at Goodwood and is expected to go well.
Dual course winner Archi’s Affaire is another to attract support, while Indy is on a hat-trick.
This is Sepal’s toughest test to date but she looks a filly going places at the foot of the weights. I, for one, owe her plenty as she has kept me afloat during an untimely barren spell.
FLEETWOOD JACK (6.35) is worth an each-way investment in a poor Class 6 handicap.
David O’Meara’s gelding has dropped to a feasible mark and emerged with credit at Thirsk when fifth to in-form Whatsthemessage. Fleetwood Jack didn’t stay 10f behind Slightly Squeeze at Doncaster and this mile looks ideal.
Tesko Fella will no doubt attract the attention of favourite backers but this is probably more open than the market would suggest.
COURIER (7.05) bids to repeat last year’s narrow success in the 6f fillies’ handicap and she will adopt her usual front-running tactics. Courier scored on soft ground at Haydock over seven furlongs, so conditions aren’t a concern and she looks overpriced at 12-1 generally.
Hot favourite Clon Coulis is pretty unexposed and open to more improvement.
York has been wonderful meeting to watch but it’s a difficult place to make money.
Opinions will be divided between LADY AURELIA (3.35) and the year older Battaash, and the 3lb sex allowance just tips the scales in favour of the American flier.
Lady Aurelia was very impressive in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal ascot, while Battaash was an equally emphatic winner of the King George Stakes at Goodwood.
If you fancy playing each-way against the two principals, then the very consistent Marsha fits the bill on a track she enjoys.
I’m quite sweet on THOMAS HOBSON (2.25) in a highly competitive renewal of the Lonsdale Cup.
Willie Mullins’ gelding hosed up in the 2m 4f Ascot Stakes and was turned out again four days later when runner-up to Oriental Fox over 2m 6f. This is a step up in class but master trainer Mullins isn’t guilty of over-facing his horses if he didn’t think they had a big chance.
Dartmouth attempts two miles for the first time but he was staying on well when reeling in Simple Verse in the Yorkshire Cup. He enjoys a bit of ease in the ground and holds Dal Harraild marginally on their running behind Idaho in the Hardwicke Stakes.
St Michel is ideally suited by a sounder surface but is in top form. This son of Sea The Stars wears blinkers for the first time.
AL NEKSH (1.55) is stepped up to 1m 4f and at the price it is worth taking the risk that his stamina will last out under Frankie Dettori. Al Neksh ran a stinker when sent off favourite at Newmarket (reportedly broke blood vessel) but had earlier chased home Master Carpenter here at the Dante fixture.
At big odds, Speedo Boy could surprise a few of his rivals moving up in trip, especially with Ian Williams booking Sylvestre De Sousa.
DABAN (3.00) has been very sparingly campaigned by John Gosden since finishing third to Winter and Rhododendron in the 1000 Guineas (Talaayeb fourth). The filly wasn’t disgraced in sixth behind Le Brivido in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and should go well if handling this easier ground (withdrawn from the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last weekend after heavy rain).
MEDAHIM (4.50) is another Dettori mount with an each-way shout. The colt floundered in the mud when behind the William Haggas-trained Battered at Goodwood but the combination of better ground and a 5lb weight pull makes Medahim of interest. With 15 runners declared, I’ll be betting him ew with those firms offering four places.
Haggas also trains the hat-trick seeker Mojito, up 7lb for his latest success at HQ.
Recommended bets
- Hamilton 7.35 – Sepal 3-1 Paddy Power
- Hamilton 6.35 – Fleetwood Jack ew 6-1 William Hill
- Hamilton 7.05 – Courier ew 12-1 Betfred
- York 2.25 – Thomas Hobson 7-2 bet365
- York 3.35 – Lady Aurelia 13-8 Paddy Power
- York 1.55 – Al Neksh ew 10-1 Skybet
- York 3.00 – Deban 13-2 Boylesports
- York 4.50 – Medahim ew 9-1 Skybet
In December 2020 we sadly 
Superb Alan with the winners and places mate canny believe I got just under 5s fir Sepal especially after how strongly it finished last time thought on that slow going it would have been around a 5/2 shot.
Your write ups are different class and knowledge of our Scottish tracks 2nd to none keep it up mate if your at Hamilton hope your hanging around for GBX ??
Nice comment – it’s good to see Alan doing so well.
Oi Oi!! After Lady Aurelia getting mugged and Daban breaking down I thought it was going to be one of those days again. It has been a tough old week at York. I really fancied Sepal, though, and when it poured down I pressed up on my bets. Glad you boys followed me in. Scobie is a great trainer and I’ve had a few quid on Nakeeta in the Ebor (five places).
Billy boy – don’t know about GBX. The way a couple of my tips ran earlier in the week I was in danger of being done for GBH
Lol Aye York is always a strange meeting especially if the ground isna decent.
Great tipster !!
Nice when a plot comes to fruition but really kicking myself for not putting up Marsha as well as Lady Aurelia this afternoon. Marsha was outstanding ew value back on a fast track/quicker ground. Times were good all afternoon which shows the Knavesmire is drying out pretty fast. Opportunities like that don’t come along too often but hindsight a wonderful thing!
Yeh Marsha was the EW play in the race Prescott has his horses in incredible form if your take out the 2 year olds running over 6f to short that can’t win he’s on some run.
And it’s HWHWHWFG at Hamilton tonight nor oi oi ???
Nice one AT, really fancied fleetwood jack and came on here to see if anyone agreed, once I seen your post I got on, and after that won I went blind in your sepal selection……happy days ??
WD Alan ,I think this was the plan with Sepal be intersting where he goes next with her ,very Shrewd trainer GL