KING REIGNS IN DRY
REBECCA MENZIES reckons dry ground conditions could tee up Kingthistle perfectly for a first turf triumph at Hamilton today.
The County Durham raider faces eight rivals in the £12,000 Lockton Companies Cadzow Castle Handicap over an extended one mile three furlongs.
Still a maiden after 15 goes on turf, the Graham Lee-ridden fouryear-old has won three times on the all-weather surface.
And trainer Menzies said: “We think he is quite a nice horse and he did nothing wrong when a close second at Beverley last time.
“Hopefully the track will suit him and if the ground continues to dry out that will help as well.
“He was progressive on the all weather and it would be nice to think he could transmit that form to grass.”
Keith Dalgleish pair Archie’s Advice and Falcon’s Fire are among those who will challenge in the 3.30pm race with both boasting winning form at the Lanarkshire track.
■ Spatial can make a winning return to action in the totetrifecta At totesport.com Fillies’ Handicap at Chelmsford tonight.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained three-year-old is set for a low-key return having last been seen running in Group One company almost eight months ago.
City Of Joy can also deliver for the Freemason Lodge team in the totequadpot At totesport.com Handicap. A gelding operation over the winter and a return in handicap company sealed a place back in the winners’ enclosure at Doncaster last month after failing to beat a horse home at Newbury.
The three-year-old sticks at a mile and while a 5lb rise for a head success is a tad steep City Of Joy looked like he would take a big step forward for the run.
■ Anthony Oppenheimer has dismissed comparisons between Cracksman and Classic winner Golden Horn as the Frankel colt bids to deliver his second Investec Derby triumph in three years.
Golden Horn triumphed in 2015 before becoming a middledistance star while Cracksman made a winning start to his threeyear-old career in April.
However, owner Oppenheimer said: “Cracksman is a lovely, laidback horse but he’s quite different to Golden Horn.
“Golden Horn had an awful lot of speed and John Gosden always felt he could have won the 2000 Guineas if he hadn’t been as immature as a two-year-old.
“This horse doesn’t have that speed. I just hope he has enough at the end of the race on Saturday.”