Dalgleish and Gray four-handed as they aim to keep up red-hot form at Hamilton

Keith Dalgleish and Shane Gray team up again at Hamilton Park today just 48 hours after the combination recorded a stunning four-timer at Carlisle.

The red-hot duo start off with Aberama Gold in the 6f two-year-old contest followed by Friendly Advice in the Sam Col ling wood cameron Handicap, Jacob Black in the Bothwell Castle Handicap and Three Castles in the Saints & Sinners Racenight Next Week (div 1). Gray, whose tally of 16 winners at Hamilton Park is his highest score at any British turf venue, said: “One of the winners at Carlisle was the 200th of my career so I’m obviously over the moon.

“It’s all down to all the connections and everyone who has helped me including my sponsors. It was my first four-timer so another one so soon after would be nice!”

Jacob Black faces seven rivals in the £13,800 feature event over a mile including last month’s course and distance scorer Southern Rock, trained by David O’meara who saddled yesterday’s Queen Anne Stakes hero Lord Glitters.

The line-up also sees Archie Watson represented by Paul Hanagan-ridden Harvey Dent, one of three raiders he has despatched from his Upper Lambourn stable.

Watson was on hand personally to enjoy a double at the Lanarkshire track last week which saw his strikerate rise to a handsome 42 per cent.

Meanwhile, Magical heads into the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot today on a winning roll – and she can rise to the challenge again in the feature event on day two.

Aidan O’brien’s charge arrives with plenty of match practice under her belt, having won each of her three starts so far this term. Graduating from Group Three glory on her return in April to top-level gold on her most start, via a Group Two verdict, Magical should certainly be well primed for this 10-furlong heat.

Nate The Great has been off the track since May, but connections’ patience can pay dividends in the Queen’s Vase.

Archie Watson’s colt was beaten just a neck in the Chesham at this meeting last year, before going on to contest a handful of other Listed prizes without actually getting his head in front. The fact he finished his juvenile campaign over 10 furlongs indicated his staying potential, with the son of Nathaniel being pitched into the Lingfield Derby Trial on his return.

Obviously the merit of his four-length third behind Anthony Van Dyck is there for all to see, but it was particularly pleasing to see how he stayed on at the finish on his seasonal bow.