Alan Thomson’s Tips: Duck Egg can crack it again

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DUCK EGG BLUE (8.10) routed her rivals on her previous visit to Hamilton and an action replay is on the cards.

The filly was then stepped up in class at York but fluffed the start. Provided Duck Egg Blue is on her best behaviour at the stalls she is taken to confirm earlier Hamilton form with Forever A Lady, now 11lb better off for an 11 lengths beating.

Some Newmarket big guns have been despatched north to contest a tricky 1m 1f maiden and DESERT FIRE (7.35) can come out on top for the boys in blue.

Saeed Bin Suroor doesn’t send many to Hamilton and Desert Fire should improve a bundle for his debut fourth to useful Argentello at Yarmouth. The colt never took a hand after breaking slowly but was noted running on steadily.

Simon Crisford’s Moved had a bin Suroor horse (Mokhles) behind when third to the Roger Varian-trained Howman at Lingfield, so that should give the Godolphin team a handle to Desert Fire’s chance.

William Haggas’s filly Saint Diana chased home Savannah on her debut at Ripon and the winner scored again at Wetherby last week, while Agincourt made a pleasing start at Thirsk when well held by Crisford hotpot Mutafani. The betting market should provide a useful guide to what is expected.

FOUR KINGDOMS (6.00) made an encouraging debut for R Mike Smith since arriving from Karl Burke’s yard, staying on into fourth spot behind warm favourite Bedrock at Musselburgh. The gelding was slightly hampered down the straight and this is an easier assignment.

Thorntoun Care stuck his neck out to win at Ayr last Friday evening, with Duke Of Yorkshire languishing down the field.

GAELIC WIZARD (7.00) would ideally have preferred another furlong in the seller but he can pick off his rivals late. The old boy loves the track and won over six furlongs two outings ago. Favourite Semana Santa concedes a stone to my selection and sets the standard.

ECONOMIC CRISIS (8.40) is also in the twilight of her career but has been a wonderful servant to owner Willie Burns. She rarely runs a bad race at Hamilton and may well confirm form with Lomu (5lb better off) on their Ayr running.

Desert Ace won this race last year when the track was riding soft and is weighted to take a hand. Iain Jardine gave Marnie James a run behind the rampant Eeh Bah Gum at Redcar last Saturday and that should have put him spot-on for this evening.

Finally, MUJASSAM (9.10) was just denied by Zylan at Beverley on Tuesday and David O’Meara turns him out again quickly with a big shout, despite the drop in trip.

Sfumato left the money behind at Chepstow and although I’m loathe to give him up, his attitude left something to be desired.

Recommended bets

• Hamilton 8.10 – Duck Egg Blue (5-2, bet365)
• Hamilton 7.35 – Desret Fire (6-4, Ladbrokes)
• Hamilton 6.00 – Four Kingdoms (6-1, Paddy Power)
• Hamilton 9.10 – Mujassam (11-4, bet365)
• Hamilton 7.00 – Gaelic Wizard (7-2, bet365)
• Hamilton 8.40 – Economic Crisis (5-1, bet365)

Johnb's Thursday Tips

• Newcastle 1:30 – Musbaq 10-1 paddy power eachway 1/4 odds 3 places NB
• Newcastle 3:05 – Almufti 3-1 skybet
• Nottingham 4:00 – Jurz 3-1 paddy power
• Newmarket 4:25 – Aces 5-2 unibet NAP
• Newmarket 5:30 – Jashma 5-2 skybet

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