Gulf Of Poets bidding for five-timer in course's new handicap

Almada Mile | 1m68y, 3yo+ | RUK

Gulf Of Poets bids for a fifth win on the spin in the inaugural running of this £30,000 handicap.

The Juddmonte Farms cast-off, bought for £13,000 in 2015, has been a revelation this year in the hands of apprentice Nathan Evans, who has the ride again.

He has carried the colours of a partnership which includes golfer Lee Westwood's manager Chubby Chandler to successive wins at Pontefract, Wolverhampton, Hamilton and Haydock, and his mark has rocketed from 70 to 90.

The weights are headed by 2013 Ayr Gold Cup winner Highland Colori, trained by Andrew Balding and now at the veteran stage of his career.

Hamilton's racing manager Sulekha Varma said: "This new race marks an important addition to our programme. For some years the racecourse has lacked a valuable race over this distance, and the opportunity to stage this £30,000 handicap came as part of the huge investment in prize-money that the course has seen in 2017.

"The line-up is particularly pleasing, both in terms of quality and quantity, and we're grateful to the trainers and owners who have supported it."

Hamilton's champion owner
County Kilkenny-based trainer Pat Shanahan had five Hamilton winners from only 11 runners this year before Monday evening's meeting, including two at last week's fixture. All five carried the Thistle Bloodstock silks of local owner and Partick Thistle fan Jimmy Long, Hamilton's reigning champion owner, as does Ionization.

What they say

Andrew Balding, trainer of Highland Colori
He's a grand old horse but he's still high enough in the handicap. We mix the headgear up a bit and he has blinkers back on here. Any rain would be welcome.

Jim Goldie, trainer of Nicholas T
He handled Hamilton to a degree when he was third there, when they didn't go a great gallop, and the handicapper hasn't been too hard on him for two wins since. He's in great order and should be thereabouts.

David Easterby, assistant to his father Mick, trainer of Gulf Of Poets
He's been rejuvenated this year and goes there in great form. He's up another 6lb, but won well again last time and for the money we expected this to be tougher. He likes a bit of cut in the ground and it looks very winnable. I wouldn't swap him.

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Weekend Offender
He hasn't run for a while but he's a horse who likes to be fresh and I'm very happy with him. He was very consistent last year and it was strong form when he won at York at the end of the season.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to his father Mark, trainer of Masham Star and Aardwolf
Masham Star was running consistently well until disappointing in the Britannia. He needs to bounce back, but this is a more realistic target and the extended mile at Hamilton should be just about his optimum trip. Aardwolf has lost his way a bit on his last three starts but if he bounced back to his Doncaster form he'd have an each-way squeak.

Karl Burke, trainer of Mutahaady
It was good to get his head back in front again last time and he seems to have come on again for it. He is probably better with a bit of cut in the ground and we're hoping for a big run as he has a date at the sales next.