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ANOTHER day's racing sees us take in the action from the Knavesmire and closer to home at Hamilton. I like the look of a couple of Haggas' horses at York and Varian's in South Lanarkshire.
York 3.00
VICTORY BOND (3.00) can further enhance Yorkshireman William Haggas’s tremendous record on the Knavesmire by bagging the 1m 2f Clipper Logistics Handicap.
The four-year-old boasts good course form and crucially handles some cut in the ground. Victory Bond probably found the track riding a bit quick when a credible seventh in the John Smith’s Cup won by Ballet Concerto.
In May, Victory Bond finished third to Here Comes When and Chelsea Lad in the Betfred TV Hambleton Handicap and is 5lb worse off with the runner-up. However, Chelsea Lad has yet to race beyond a mile, whereas my selection ran another solid race in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes over course and distance when fourth to classy soft ground performer Success Days.
York 4.50
Later on the card, Haggas saddles another one with a live chance in GHEEDA (4.50). She caught the eye on much quicker ground here at the end of July when running fifth in the Summer Stakes and looks to be on an upwards curve.
Hamilton 6.40
TO DIBBA (6.40) has been despatched north by Roger Varian and sets quite a high standard in the feature Sodexo Scottish Trophy at Hamilton.
Harry Bentley comes here instead of York for the one ride and To Dibba will get the easy surface he enjoys in this 1m 1f handicap. The colt ran a cracker at Newmarket (third) at the end of July and the well-held fourth horse, Brilliant Vanguard, scored at Ripon last week.
Hamilton 6.10
The William The Lion Handicap used to be run at Lanark over the extreme distance of 2m 4f and I can recall Peter Poston’s popular wee horse Homefield smashing the track record in the race back in the late 60s.
It is now a run-of-the-mill six-furlong handicap, which isn’t quite as much fun, but it would still be nice to back the winner. HARWOODS VOLANTE (6.10) made no show at Ripon last weekend but is better judged on his two course and distance efforts in July when chasing home smart sorts Glenrowan Rose and Sharp Defence, respectively. The six-year-old is at ease on soft ground and may just have the measure of Dirchill. David Barron’s three-year-old broke his duck here 19 days ago and a handicap mark of 75 seems fair enough.
Hamilton 8.10
HIGHWAY ROBBER (8.10) is worth an each-way dabble on the strength of his course victory over 1m 3f in June. Wilf Storey’s gelding had Paddy’s Rock well held in fourth and has run two solid races since on the all-weather at Newcastle. He handles some give in the ground and likes to race handily.
John McConnell does very well with his Scottish raiders and the Irishman saddles Stander. The three-year-old was beaten a long way on heavy ground at Ffos Las but probably will be seen in a better light on this less strenuous surface.
Recommended bets
- York 3.00 – Victory Bond 9-1 (Coral)
- York 4.50 – Gheeda 13-2 (McBookie)
- Hamilton 6.40 – To Dibba 2-1 (Paddy Power)
- Hamilton 6.10 – Harwoods Volante ew 13-2 (BetBright)
- Hamilton 8.10 – Highway Robber 5-1 (McBookie)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Hello Alan .Do you get involved with NH selections .Just read your last few days and there all flat.
Tend to only study and back on jumps myself .If you do look at the jumps be good to see your selections.
and well done so far
gl