Zeelander can put end to run of near misses

Varian’s lightly-raced charge to finally get his nose in front at Hamilton

ZEELANDER has finished second in all his three races so far this season but can put that right by bagging the feature Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Handicap at Hamilton.

Roger Varian’s four-year-old is still relatively lightly-raced and the drop back to a mile and a half should suit after just being found out over a mile and three-quarters at Sandown last time.

YES YOU just got touched off by Dark Defender over six furlongs on his latest start and can go one better in the EBF Stallions Scottish Premier Series Fillies’ Handicap.

The four-year-old, trained by Iain Jardine, was on a hat-trick after winning two races at Ayr and consequently had shot up in the ratings.

He is on a career-high mark but is in such good form that he can resume winning ways.

MUSHTAQ has been on a steady upward curve this year and can continue the trend by taking his winning run to three in the Best Odds Guaranteed At 188Bet Handicap at Sandown on Friday.

The Richard Hannon-trained gelding has crept up to a mark of 89 which still looks manageable as he has done only what was necessary to win his last two races by a neck and a short head at Nottingham and Windsor.

He had been knocking on the door by being placed in his three previous efforts after scoring on the second of his two races at the back-end last year.

It is conceivable there is much more to come from the Al Shaqab-owned son of Zoffany and the mile suits him well at the moment.

ALMANIA will have learned plenty from his debut at Ascot and it would it be no surprise if he were to get off the mark in the Bet & Watch At 188bet. co.uk EBF Maiden Stakes.

The Australia colt was sent off 6-4 favourite in a field of six for a six furlong maiden at Ascot five weeks ago, but never looked like obliging.

He was not the best out of the stalls and was soon up against it until the penny dropped inside the final furlong. It was too little too late and he finished fourth.

The benefit of that run, plus the step up to seven furlongs, will only see the Sir Michael Stoute-trained youngster in a better light.

SELECTIONS

HAMILTON: 4.55 Princes Des Sables, 5.25 Three Comets, 5.55 Optima Petamus, 6.25 Yes You, 6.55 Zeelander, 7.30 Multellie, 8.00 Rockley Point.

SANDOWN: 1.40 Tinto, 2.10 Peggie Sue, 2.40 Forest Of Dean, 3.15 Almania, 3.50 MUSHTAQ (NAP), 4.25 Red Striker, 5.00 Teenage Gal.

DOUBLE: Mushtaq and Zeelander.