THE degree of difficulty in finding the winner of tonight's John Smith's Stewards Cup at Hamilton comes close to the same as tackling its illustrious namesake at Goodwood; mighty tough, in other words.
The prize for the winner’s connections is well worth the collecting, too, more than £20,000, and it is no surprise to see the top northern trainers, David Nicholls and Richard Fahey, saddling two runners each.
Fahey, who has rediscovered form in the last couple of weeks, goes with Brave Prospector and Quest For Success and hopes could be high for both.
The former would be a major player if hitting his best form but on recent evidence Quest For Success could be the better bet.
He started off his season with a sixth to Horseradish over six furlongs at Doncaster, but he was beaten only two and a half lengths, and then went on to Ayr where he won comfortably over five furlongs.
With the assistance of champion jockey Paul Hanagan, the six-year-old looks sure to go close.
Nicholls’ representatives, Tajneed and Evens and Odds, who share top weight, are difficult to separate on form. The latter, owned by the Aberdeen-based partnership Dab Hand Racing, can be a very useful sprinter on his day and has been tackling some tough races since his defeat of Redford at Thirsk in April.
Tajneed’s best effort this season was a second at Epsom last month and he, too, can be very smart on his day.
The Keith Dalgleish-trained Doc Hay steps up in class here but may still be improving enough to make an impact again, while Everymanforhimself and We Have A Dream are also entitled to be well-fancied but, for me, Ginger Ted (7.45) could be the answer to a major puzzle. A winner at Ayr and Thirsk this season, he was also a close fourth behind We Have A Dream at Windsor earlier on after being badly hampered.
Richard Guest’s charge seems to be improving all the time and maybe this will be his best effort to date.
Hardly a Scottish meeting goes by these days without a win for Uplawmoor trainer Jim Goldie and he could have a double with Glenluji (6.10) and Gordonsville (8.20).
The former has been running well enough without winning, having been fourth, second and third in his last three races. This could be his day.
Gordonsville is also about due a win and, although eight now, could well have another win in him and the Stayers Handicap mile and five furlongs will suit him.
n Hamilton selections
6.10 Glenluji
7.45 Ginger Ted
8.20 Gordonsville
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