Hamilton 14:00 – Air Raid
This is a competitive looking renewal of the Scottish Stewards Cup, but I believe AIR RAID can follow up his win this race last year from just 2lbs higher.
He actually is unbeaten at Hamilton, winning three times in total here last season, off marks of 82, 87 & 95. He ran in the Wokingham last time, but this race is nowhere near as competitive and the handicapper has dropped him two pounds as a result.
It is also a positive that Jedd O’Keeffe has had three winners, a second and a third from his last eight runners.
Sandown 17:25 – Ubettabelieveit
It is strange to be having the National Stakes being run after Royal Ascot, but it is an interesting renewal and Eye Of Heaven is likely to prove popular at the front of the market. He was well punted on debut at Newmarket and delivered in a race that has worked out really well.
He went off favourite for the Norfolk, but ran disappointingly and connections blamed the soft ground for the poor performance. I reckon that leaves him slightly vulnerable here and UBETTABELIVEIT might be able to progress past him.
He is fairly well related being a half-brother to Group 3 winners Tropical Paradise and Harlem Shake, as well as Listed winner Shenangians. He ran well on debut at Doncaster when fourth only beaten two lengths and Nigel Tinkler’s horses generally need their first run.
He returned to Doncaster for his second start where he was extremely impressive and clocked a really fast closing sectional, which marks him down as a well above average juvenile.
The form has been franked since also, with the fourth Bright Armour bolting up at Bath earlier this week and the booking of Oisin Murphy is also a major positive.
Leopardstown 17:45 – Galileo Chrome
This Listed race looks very competitive and while Degraves brings Group 3 winning form (as a juvenile) to the table and Delphi being a typical improver for Aidan O’ Brien, I believe it is worth opposing them with GALILEO CHROME.
Fifth on debut at Leopardstown last season, he missed the break that day and ran well to finish as close as he did, but wasn’t seen again until mid-June this year. He was well backed that day for a 10-furlong maiden and got up in the shadow of the post to reward his supporters.
The form of that race has taken a significant boost in the interim, with the fourth Dawn Rising winning his maiden easily and finishing second in a Group 3 at Newmarket, and the fifth was Serpentine who bolted up in the Derby at Epsom.
That form couldn’t look much better and while Galileo Chrome is stepping up in grade here, he is capable of winning at this level and the step up in trip looks sure to suit.
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Frank Hickey tips summary:
Hamilton 14:00 – Air Raid
Sandown 17:25 – Ubettabelieveit
Leopardstown 17:45 – Galileo Chrome
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