Hamada will be suited by step up in trip

Godolphin-owned Cape Cross colt can come good at Pontefract

HAMADA will surely come good at the third time of asking in the racinguk.com/British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Pontefract.

The Godolphin-owned Cape Cross colt shaped with abundant promise when third on his debut at Newmarket in August, with the way he came home suggesting he would be well served by a step up in distance.

Connections stuck to a mile for his next start at Sandown and he was not disgraced, finishing a clear second behind exciting Frankel colt Atty Persse, who could be bound for a tilt at the Racing Post Trophy later in the month following his impressive introduction.

Hamada is clearly not up to that sort of level, at this stage of his career at least, but it will be disappointing if he is unable to open his account as he tackles a mile and a quarter for the first time in West Yorkshire. RAINBOW REBEL can continue his winning spree in the Tradeway Shipping Peter Kirkham Retiring Handicap.

The son of Acclamation did not look devoid of ability as a juvenile, placing on four of his six starts, but surely even trainer Mark Johnston did not envisage the rapid improvement he has seemingly made during the winter.

He made a mockery of his mark of 67 on his seasonal reappearance at Carlisle in August, and subsequent strikes at Musselburgh, Chester and Hamilton mean he is now almost 20lb higher in the weights.

Having proven his talent on quick ground, it was encouraging to see him knuckle down in more testing terrain on his latest outing, proving his versatility.

The handicapper is bound to catch up with him eventually, but he will take some stopping in current mood.

ADAMANT is worth an interest in the second division of the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Windsor. SELECTIONS:

PONTEFRACT: 2.00 HAMADA (NAP), 2.30 Grinty, 3.00 Rainbow Rebel, 3.30 La Fritillaire, 4.00 Southern Gailes, 4.30 La Contessa, 5.00 Selection, 5.30 Chiswick Bey.

WINDSOR: 1.50 Indiana Dawn, 2.20 Glorious Forever, 2.50 Adamant, 3.20 Cold Fusion, 3.50 Stratum, 4.20 Silver Link, 4.50 Fire Ship, 5.20 Go Amber Go.

DOUBLE: Hamada and Rainbow Rebel.