Loch Ness Monster – 14.40 Hamilton @ 3/1
Michael Appleby makes the long trip to Hamilton for two runners and Loch Ness Monster would look a bet to me here. Harvey Dent is favourite at the moment, though Loch Ness Monster finished in front of him at Haydock in May and is now 6lbs better off. He’s had excuses on his last few starts, particularly at Kempton last time when he was quite free over an 11 trip that was clearly too far.
He drops back to 9 furlongs here, which looks ideal, and I think he’ll win this.
Finsceal Rose – 16:40 Hamilton @ 7/1
Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell has been in excellent form of late and I reckon he has a cracking chance of bagging another UK winner with Finsceal Rose. She looked to run terribly last time, finishing 17th of 18 beaten 36 lengths, though she looked a blatant non stayer over 10 furlongs that day. She travelled very well to the two furlong pole before fading badly late, suggesting this drop back to a mile should be ideal. On her previous run at Bellewstown she came from a mile back to finish a good second to Ally Clay and that form may be enough to see her go close here.
She looks a solid each-way bet to me.
Up Helly Aa – 19:50 Leopardstown @ 11/2
Up Helly Aa looks to have plenty to find here though he’s worth chancing at the prices. He’s run twice in his career, when a very eye-catching second on debut and then when bolting up in a weak Gowran Park maiden, beating Globe Theatre by 4 ½ lengths, who’s rated 76.
The bare form would leave him with loads to find though it’s how he did things and his breeding that makes me think he’s up to this grade.
He’s by Galileo, out of Fiesolina, who was a very talented horse for the stable, rated 114 in her prime when competing in Group 1’s over a variety of trips. Of the opposition, Tinandali would want softer ground and while I like Mohawk, he has a penalty, which might be enough to stop him.
The older horses are solid types though none have the potential of Up Helly Aa, and that’s why he’s worth taking a chance on here.
*Prices correct at time of publishing
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