sprinters in Scotland

5 meetings todays but again, little of importance. There are also some very small fields, especially on the firm going at Bath and Brighton, and the cards at these two tracks are not at all punter-friendly.
5 of the 7 races at the Scottish meeting at Hamilton are over sprint distances, and the 5 furlongs conditions race there at 16.45 CET is the most interesting race of the day. Even though Bix has no chance whatever and will probably finish tailed off, the other 4 runners are all of interest. 9yo Tangerine Trees (Bryan Smart/ Tom Eaves) won the Abbaye in 2011 and a repeat of that performance would certainly see him win here; however his form since has been very in-and-out. Sir Maximilian (Tim Pitt/ Steve Donohoe) is a consistent handicapper over this trip, while Hopes N Dreams (Kevin Ryan/ Paul Mulrennan) has won 6 times here - but always at 6 furlongs. We shall take a chance on Victory Laurel (Robert Cowell/ Jamie Spencer), well beaten on his only start this year (in good company in France) but who had smart form in Italy last season and whose trainer is a specialist for such events.
We are not fans of summer jumping, but the Australian-bred Retrieve (John Ferguson/ Tony McCoy) looks the likeliest winner of the maiden hurdle at Stratford at 19.00. He was a listed winner on the flat and the trainer (aka Sheikh Mohammed´s racing manager) does very well with these ex-Godolphin runners over hurdles. An hour later German-bred Seventh Sky (Charlie Mann/ Gavin Sheehan) runs in a handicap chase over 2 1/2 miles; this
half-brother to Samum and co finally came good with an easy win at Fontwell 27 days ago and can follow up in this better race.
There is Irish racing at Gowran Park this evening and the Aidan/ Joseph O´Brien team can continue their good run by winning with their only 2 runners - Highland Reel at 18.50 and Red Rocks Point at 20.50.

Betting forecast Hamilton:
1. Race: Surewecan - Pipe Bomb - Spring Offensive
2. Race: China In My Hands - Last Destination - Look On By
3. Race: Corton Lad - Aleksandar - Mambo Rhythm
4. Race: Victory Laurel - Tangerine Trees - Sir Maximilian
5. Race: Master Bond - Ambitious Icarus - Bunce
6. Race: Epic Voyage - Royal Connoisseur - Bifocal
7. Race: Funding Deficit - Spoken Words - Red Shadow