Can Hortzadar bounce back to form and spoil the party for the three-year-olds?

Tuesday: 4.45 Hamilton
Paycare Saving You Money Everyday Healthcare Scottish Trophy Handicap (Class 3) | 1m1f | 3yo+ (0-90) | RTV

Two unexposed three-year-old sons of Lope De Vega dominate the early betting for this 1m1f handicap and it's understandable why punters will be drawn to the claims of Wilkins and Glam De Vega.

Wilkins represents William Haggas and scored in the manner of a promising sort at Pontefract in July, although an opening mark of 85 hardly looks an open goal.

However, that could be the case for Glam De Vega off 83 on his handicap debut. This well-bred colt entered many notebooks when a good second to the high-class Walk Of Stars on his second start as a juvenile and stepped up on that effort on his seasonal return at Ripon last month.

Glam De Vega pulled 15 lengths clear of Kaatibb, who won a handicap on his next outing, and an extra furlong should suit given his dam thrived over a mile and a half and beyond.

This is undoubtedly a red-hot race as the two three-year-olds join five other last-time-out winners in the line up, but Hortzadar might be worth a second look at a price.

Hortzadar has been typically busy this season but has proved inconsistent. As a consequence he has dropped to a 4lb lower mark than when victorious at Ripon in April and races off his lowest rating since April 2019.

A return to form could be on the cards and he finished first past the post at this course a couple of years ago off 3lb higher, although the seven-year-old was disqualified that day as his rider weighed in 4lb light.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

John Quinn, trainer of Empirestateofmind
He’s in good order and won well last time but it’s tough that he’s been raised 5lb for it. All his wins have been over shorter distances but he hasn’t been stopping at the finish, so the trip should be okay.

Mike Smith, trainer of Tilsitt
He won off his highest mark last time at Ayr and he’s been raised another 3lb, but there’s no reason why he can’t do it again. The only problem is that it's hard to know how good the three-year-olds from Newmarket are, but it's definitely worth us having a go. He’s won over a mile, and a mile and a quarter, so the trip should be ideal, but I wouldn’t want it too soft.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Highwaygrey
He’s in good form and although all his wins have been over a longer distance, I am not too concerned about the trip as they should go a decent gallop. He’s never won on soft ground but he’s run well on it and as they get older they seem to handle it better.

William Haggas, trainer of Wilkins
We're sending him up to Scotland for the ground, so any more rain wouldn't do any harm. He was raised 8lb for winning his maiden which is ridiculous and he has it all to do on the book.

Roger Varian, trainer of Glam De Vega
I've been pleased with Glam De Vega since his win at Ripon and hopefully he's well treated off his opening mark of 83. They've already had a bit of rain at Hamilton which should help him, and any further rain will not inconvenience him. I'm hopeful that he will run a good race.

Jim Goldie, trainer of Yaaser
He’s stepping up in trip and we’ll find out whether he can do it over this distance – there has to be a doubt. I’m still not sure which distance is going to suit him best and I’m entering him in the Cambridgeshire and the Ayr Gold Cup but he’s been very progressive and the only way is up.
Reporting by Michael Robson

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