Hamilton and Fairyhouse

There is no flat racing in England today, with action on the level confined to Hamilton in Scotland and Fairyhouse in Ireland. By far the most valuable race of the day is the sales race for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 16.45 at the Irish track, which was won last year by the top-class Dick Turpin. There is nothing of that calibre in today´s field, which to be honest looks sub-standard for an event of this value.

Dermot Weld, who is in Canada with his stable jockey Pat Smullen, has two likely candidates in Moonlit Garden (Kevin Manning) and Catalpa Sail (Shane Gorey), while top-rated Bathwick Bear (David and Richard Evans) is a British raider, but has a lot of weight and also a poor draw. Our selection is French-trained Dereenatra (Eoghan O´Neill/ Johnny Murtagh), whose French form might be good enough and has a high number draw, usually strongly favoured here. It would be no surprise if the winner of the 2yo fillies maiden at 15.45 were to prove superior in the long run to the sales race winner; in particular the two well-bred newcomers Asheerah (Kevin Prendergast/ Declan McDonough) and Look at Me (Aidan O´Brien/ Murtagh) must be closely watched.

At Hamilton, Richard Hughes - a very infrequent visitor here- could be the jockey to follow. He has 3 promising rides for Mick Channon - Cathcart Castle in the 2yo handicap at 15.10, Galloping Queen in the 3yo maiden an hour later, and Mykingdomforahorse in the staying handicap another hour later. He also has a chance on Hughie Morrison´s Widow Bird in the 3yo handicap at 16.40. We also like the lightly-raced and improving Ming Meng (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner) in the 6 furlongs fillies handicap at 15.40.