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Quartet of course winners add spice to red-hot Scottish Stewards' Cup

Hoof It (near side) is back for more at Hamilton as his co-owner Lee Westwood battles Carnoustie in the Open Championship
Hoof It (near side) is back for more at Hamilton as his co-owner Lee Westwood battles Carnoustie in the Open ChampionshipCredit: Mark Cranham

Heineken UK Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap | 6f, 3yo+ | RUK

While it might not be quite as difficult to decode as its namesake at Goodwood, Scotland's version of the Stewards' Cup has attracted an interesting blend of old favourites and those who may still be on an upward curve.

Four against the field with course form

Hamilton's six-furlong track boasts a downhill start and steep climb to the finish, a layout which doesn't suit every horse.

The 13 runners include two former winners of this race – Poyle Vinnie (2015) and Classic Seniority (2017) – as well as the lightly-raced The Great Wall, who followed up a narrow defeat at York with a neck defeat of Desert Frost here at the start of the month.

"This has been the plan and we just hope they get rain because if it got too quick we probably wouldn't run," said trainer Mick Appleby. "I think he has a very good chance and he's still on a good mark so there should be more to come. It was quick enough for him there last time."

The Great Wall (far side) warms up for the Scottish Stewards' Cup with a win over course and distance at the start of the month
The Great Wall (far side) warms up for the Scottish Stewards' Cup with a win over course and distance at the start of the monthCredit: Grossick Photography

The fourth course winner is Sharp Defence, who is having his first start for County Kildare-based Robbie Osborne following a gelding operation and wind surgery.

Hoof It heads old guard

The Mick Easterby-trained 11-year-old showed with a sixth-placed effort in the Stewards' Cup at a soggy Goodwood last August that there is still plenty of talent there and a return to the Sussex Downs is on the cards.

"We've been waiting for the going and I think they're due a bit of rain," said assistant trainer David Easterby. "He'll go there and then head for the Stewards' Cup consolation race at Goodwood. He's older and wiser but still kicking on and still doing his best."

What they say

Tim Palin, racing manager for Middleham Park, owners of Naadirr
We bought him hoping he'd be a Listed and Group horse. He still retains loads of ability and won impressively first time out at Doncaster. Frankie [Dettori] rode him in a Group 3 in Italy last time and said the ground was too quick and had it been easier he'd have won. It was soft at Doncaster so any rain will help, and if he's back to anything like his best he should go very close.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Flying Pursuit
It's very simple with him, he wants the rain. He ran well the other day at Ripon on good fast ground but when he gets some juice he’ll be a lot better. It's a tricky call at this time of year but if the rain comes he'll perform very well.
Tim Easterby: would like to see some rain for Flying Pursuit
Tim Easterby: would like to see some rain for Flying PursuitCredit: David Carr

Ruth Carr, trainer of Ower Fly and Poyle Vinnie
Ower Fly is 1lb well in under the penalty and he's come out of the win at Pontefract well. I'm happy with him and, although he hasn’t run at Hamilton before, I can't see the track being a problem and I'm hopeful of another big run. Poyle Vinnie deserves to win a race and he did win this three years ago off a 5lb higher mark so hopefully can run well. Any rain that comes would help with him.

Tom Fife, assistant trainer of Classic Seniority
He's come down a little bit in the handicap, which is a help, but I think it's possibly a stronger race than last year. There are quite a few that, if they're in the right frame of mind, could be well in. He ran well enough in the same conditions race he used on the way here last year and was beaten by two better horses. A shower wouldn't hurt but we've had runners there in the last few weeks and they're doing a good job with the watering.


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Scott BurtonFrance correspondent

Published on 19 July 2018inPreviews

Last updated 16:15, 19 July 2018

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