Six meetings on a Thursday and the card has a bit of everything. Short prices to lean on, a couple of long shots worth a small stake, and an evening that runs all the way to the floodlights at Lingfield. Hamilton gives us the spine of the day, but the more we looked, the more Wetherby and the jumps at Uttoxeter earned their place.
Start at Hamilton, because we keep coming back to it. Kelpie Grey heads the early action and Gallus Norman is one we are happy to be with at a sensible price. The one that really caught our eye, though, is Uncle Liam in the 5:22. He looks well treated off a featherweight mark and his best work has come only in his last couple of starts. Those placed runs tell you he is knocking on the door, the pedigree says the longer trip will suit, and stall six gives him a kind draw. Plenty to like there at the odds.
Over at Wetherby the bankers are Nanoscience and Ciao Capo, both sent off short for good reason. But the one we want to talk about is Wayward Queen in the 5:50. She starts handicap life in first-time blinkers from a draw that suits, and we make her clear of these on what she has shown. Beckett and Murphy are not running her here for the sake of it, and an opening mark of 47 leaves room to play with.
If you want a Welsh angle, La Belle Forest in the 6:20 at Ffos Las drops in class from the level where she won and looks thrown in on the pick of her form. The beaten-favourite run on her handicap debut is easy to forgive given how much went against her, and five furlongs on good ground is right up her street.
Elsewhere there is plenty to keep an eye on without diving in. Wheresmemoneygone is the one they all have to beat at Uttoxeter, Leopardstown gives us Great Mover and How’sthebai through the evening, and Lingfield’s all-weather card runs late with Sail On Sailor and Booziebrunch among the names. Penelope’s Sister at a big price is the speculative dart for those who like one.
Yesterday gave us a winner in Rock Of England at 5.5, with Run This Way filling a place, so the week is ticking along nicely. Hamilton and Wetherby are where our strongest hands sit today, and the rest of the card is there to be picked at. Plenty to get stuck into before the lights come on.