Hamilton - Tue 11 Aug 2026
14-time winner HURT YOU NEVER bounced back from a prolonged spell in the doldrums to be beaten a neck into second at Nottingham. Adrian Nicholls' speedster can now build on that to go one place better. South Shore Island almost made the breakthrough at Redcar and is expected to go close from 2lb higher, whilst Cotai Starlight is interesting dropped to the minimum trip.
Ed Bethell has his team in good nick, a trend that could be highlighted further by HARLEY breaking his maiden tag. The gelded son of Soldier's Call claimed a third podium finish from his four career starts in a nursery at Ripon latest and looks to hold every chance back in a maiden. Baldetti is the main threat having been beaten a neck into second at Pontefract, whilst Sea Mirage heads the remainder.
SHEIKHNSHAH finished third on his sole outing as a juvenile and he's occupied that same position in both starts since. Julie Camacho's charge sets a clear standard with an official rating of 77 and although his most recent effort at Southwell was probably a backwards step, the recent gelding operation might work the oracle. Matter Of Britain can edge out Al Fujairah for second place.
This looks to be an open contest on paper, but RETURN TO UNIT might still be a cut above his rivals. Roger Varian's gelding was mightily impressive when scoring at Nottingham in June and a hefty 8lb hike may not be beyond the son of Kingman, not least because he's only had the five career starts to date. Altareq had little chance when hampered in the John Smith's Cup but remains of interest in these calmer waters, whilst similar comments apply to Point Of Contact. Spoken Truth and Double Parked are others to consider.
SANAFI ZABEEL caught the eye when staying on into fifth at Ayr on Saturday, an effort that can be marked up given that it had paid to be prominent. Returning to further will undoubtedly suit the son of Intello, who is only 1lb higher than when successful over C&D in May. Second Fiddle continues to knock at the door and must enter calculations along with the class-dropping Quiet Resolve.
As is often par for the course in these types of contest, plenty will fancy their chances. A likely strong pace will be beneficial to Trilby, who struggled in the Sky Bet Dash at York but was a winner at this level the start prior. Station X made all of the running to score at Chester and will attempt to do so again, which could allow TOP JUGGLER to pick him up late on. Seb Spencer's charge was able to built on a couple of placed course efforts to win on the Roodee and might have been let off lightly with just a 1lb rise.
Ebony Maw got back on the winning trail at Ayr and although he remains of interest dropped into a class 6 contest, even a 2lb rise might leave him vulnerable at this stage of his career. Patrick Street foiled a gamble when on target in a classified contest on Saturday and probably doesn't have much more on his plate here, but SATYRESS still has time to do better. The Waldgeist filly won a shade cosily when attempting 1m4f for the first time at Beverley and there should be more in the locker.
A lowly sprint, let's take a chance on the mare UKIYO, who returned to form back on better ground when dropped to 6f at Ayr last time, finishing fourth, and looks well worth another try at the 5f trip. Hurt You Never returned to her best form tried in blinkers last time and she musy have a chance again if the headgear works as well a second time, making her the danger, while the filly Tanjen has eased in the weights enough to now make her of some interest also.
A modest novice, it's the Michael Dods-trained BALDETTI who appeals as the likely winner after he progressed nicely from start one to two by finishing second over this trip at Pontefract a little under furth weeks ago. He looks the sort with more to offer and can prove too strong for Harley, who has more experience and has proven consistent in his fourth outings. Sea Mirage is third choice but was behind the selection at Pontefract.
This can go to SHEIKHNSHAH, who has run to a fair level on all three starts, filling third place on each occasion, and has been gelded since his last run. That could coax a little progress from him yet. Matter Of Britain confirmed the level of his course debut when third at Nottingham last time and he presents as the main danger, although Upper East would be a threat if returning to the level of his Doncaster debut fourth.
Altareq is better than he showed at York last time with his earlier Ayr win suggesting he has more to offer, but this can go to the progressive RETURN TO UNIT, who has won two of his last three and scored with plenty in hand at Nottingham last time when tried in blinkers. He's only had five career starts and is open to plenty further progress with the slightly longer trip here a plus. Dwindling Funds, a winner at York last time, is a former C&D winner and he still looks competitively weighted, so comes in as third choice.
Not many of these have overly solid profiles so on the assumption that he's turned out again quickly, it's probably worth giving another chance to SANAFI ZABEEL, who found 7f too sharp at Ayr the other day. back up to an extended 1m here, a C&D he's won over in the past, he's taken to get back to winning ways. Epidavros wasn't seen to best effect last time but is another former course winner capable of a good run in the first-time cheekpieces. He's the danger, although Second Fiddle is holding her form well, including over C&D the last twice, and seems likely to be thereabouts once more.
The 8yo IRIS DANCER failed to fiure dropped to 5f here last time but she has scored on three occasions over C&D this term and finds herself on a mark just 1lb above her last winning one. She could easily bounce back. U Sure Do hit the line well when winning at Ripon last time, showing the benefit of a first-time tongue-tie, and a 1lb rise leaves his mark still looking decent. He rates the danger, although top weight Station X is coming off a win at Chester and needs considering also dropped into a Class 4.
This looks quite competitive, let's side with the sole 3yo FAIRYDALE, who is coming off a good run at Catterick when running up to her very best in finishing second. She gets 10lb weight-for-age here and is fancied to come out on top of Ebony Maw, who was back to winning ways at Ayr last time. He enjoyed the run of things then but should again give a good account. Falaise Blanc is a largely consistent sort and comes in as third choice.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
