Henley can be pace ace

● Waggott hopes ground suits her bargain sprinter

Tracy Waggott is looking to open her account at Hamilton Park tonight when the County Durham trainer saddles two runners.

The Spennymoor raiding party is spearheaded by bargain buy Henley, who faces nine rivals in the £12,000 Hamilton Audi 2nd Anniversary Celebration Handicap over the minimum trip of 5f.

Waggott, yet to strike at the Lanarkshire venue with her previous nine runners, said: “Henley is really well and has won two of his last three starts this season. He handles soft ground but I’m just hoping it is not sticky and dead.

“He is really quick but there are loads of other pace horses in the race and he doesn’t have to lead. He only cost £3,500 and is a big, strong type that has done really well for us.”

Among the opposition to Henley are Economic Crisis and Bronze Beau, two speedsters that have won twelve races between them at Hamilton.

The former, a mare now with Colin Teague, was trained by Alan Berry when successful on seven occasions while the latter was saddled by Kristin Stubbs to gain his fifth course win less than a fortnight ago.

Also valued at £12,000 is the nine-runner Hamilton Audi RS Performance Handicap over 6f. Michael Dods-trained filly Intense Romance has won three times at Newcastle this year and bids to lose her maiden tag on turf at just the third attempt.

At Haydock, Zefferino, who got off the mark at the fourth attempt last month, can keep up the good work in the Watch Racing UK In HD Handicap.

Second on his bow at Newmarket last August, Roger Charlton’s charge was then not beaten too far in conditions company. Fourth at Wolverhampton last November, the Frankel colt subsequently won at Lingfield.

An initial mark of 83 seems fair enough and the step up to a mile here seems likely to suit on pedigree.