Defoe to star on big night at Hamilton

Listed heat is logical step for Roger Varian’s Dalakhani colt

It is a big night of action at Hamilton, where it will be something of a surprise if DEFOE cannot hit the mark in the British Stallion Studs EBF Glasgow Stakes.

Trained by Roger Varian, Defoe has won each of his two starts this term, triumphing in comfortable style in a competitive Newbury heat in May before following up in a similarly tricky event at York last time.

He shrugged off a 10lb hike on the Knavesmire and probably won with a bit more in hand than the official margin of half a length suggests.

This Listed heat looks a logical step for the 104-rated Dalakhani colt, who holds a couple of entries in St Leger trials in the coming weeks.

SIX STRINGS is the pick in the John Smith’s Scottish Stewards’ Cup for Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan.

Winner of one of his three juvenile starts, Six Strings was gelded over the winter and then made a slightly belated return when second at Newmarket last month.

He was thumped seven lengths by Parfait that day, but the form has worked out pretty well with the winner subsequently finishing fourth in the Jersey Stakes and landing the Silver Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last week.

Six Strings perhaps did not quite stay the seven furlongs that day, so dropping back to six here should be in his favour and he should strip much fitter for that recent outing.

MADELINE can make the most of having her sights lowered a shade by claiming the Bathwick Tyres Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury.

Roger Varian’s filly built on a promising Ascot debut with a first victory at Goodwood in late May, after which she was thrown in at the deep end in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

She was far from disgraced finishing fifth, beaten by a shade more than four lengths, and has less on her plate in this Listed contest.

The Kodiac filly is certainly on the up, and a repeat of her Ascot showing should be good enough here.

SELECTIONS: HAMILTON:

5.45 Ingleby Angel, 6.20 Clubbable, 6.50 Hee Haw, 7.20 Six Strings, 7.55 Defoe, 8.25 Regal Mirage, 8.55 Amy Blair.

NEWBURY: 1.40 Dubhe, 2.10 He’s Amazing, 2.40 Elation, 3.15 Sure To Explore, 3.50 MADELINE (NAP), 4.25 Aurora Gray, 4.55 World Power, 5.25 Champagne Bob.

DOUBLE: Madeline and Defoe.