Good Morning, Friend,

From the three horses I mused over yesterday we had a non-runner, a winner (who had the heart stopping up the straight as the jockey momentarily mis-judged the winning post and stopped riding for a few strides) and one that may still be running at Epsom Downs.

Onto today...

You can read Sam's Free Tips Friday column HERE >>>

This went up just after 8pm last night...always best checking the blog after 8.30m pm on a Thursday as it's usually up by then, or a I leave a note if not.

The Scoop6... its proving hard to win at the moment, which is no shock given some of the big handicaps, but the pot is now looking very tasty and if there's ever a time to play, it's now.

You can buy your one off ticket with the Scoop6 Squad HERE >>>

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Today's fancies...

One of my cousins is off to Newmarket this evening and as I appear to do ok at the July course, I didn't need much of an excuse to flick through the card! I've put more time in than I did on July Cup day (overstretched myself, tut) and we'll see if that reaps any rewards, or not!

Before that...

7.05 Hamilton... The Scottish Steward's Cup

No trends of note here so not a race I've attacked with any gusto really. There are three trainers to have won this in recent years who are represented this evening...

• Khunan

• Hyperfocus / By Breeze

• Gis A Sub

It may pay just to have a look at those four. Khunan has been well found and is being well punted, which given his profile is no surprise, he does look well handicapped, in form, and I think some cut in the ground will be fine. Front two miles clear last time. Were he an 'EW bet to nothing' sort of price with 4p i'd have a go for interest.

Hyperfocus 12/1 - he was the other of interest - now, he's probably got too much weight but he'll like the ground and race prominently, and has placed twice here. He is just a proper 'Heritage Handicap C2' horse at his best, and there are not many of those in here really. Even with this weight I thought if he ran up to his best he'd be in the top 4, while conscious something better treated may well overhaul him. But, at 12/1, with x4 places, that's where my EW beer money will be going. If Khunan drifts a bit to 5/1+ I may be lured in also.

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To Newmarket... 'Through The Card'

5.45 - Faithfull Springs - 9/1 - EW

6.20 - Strike - 13/2 - EW (Next Best)

6.55 - Kiaraard - 7/1-8/1 - EW

7.30 - Ziryab - 9/4  (option of a muggy 'they always lose' double with Star Guest in 8.05)

8.05 - Jumbeau - 7/1-15/2 EW (NAP)

8.40 - Isle Of Lismore - 9/2

Faithful Springs - hmm, probably putting one up for the sake of it in what looks an open maiden, but the Appleby second strings win around here plenty in these sorts of races. This one is well bred as you'd expect, Jamie Spencer on (James Doyle up at Hamilton, which may be worth noting, it looks like for the short priced Simon Crisford horse) but he does ok when riding for Charlie, 4/10,6p +7 in last year. The 'boys in blue' could well have the 1-2 here, that wouldn't shock me, it's happened before.

Strike - looked a shade big here EW, 1/10,3p in handicaps but that win was at this course last summer, over 6f. Has a staying on effort at Kempton over 7f and has shaped this season on turf as if crying out for another go over the trip. Back on last winning mark and yard hitting some form, with a double at Epsom last night. Should race prominently and I thought would be in the mix - for all does have to technically prove 7f stamina on turf, but a reason for possibly improvement

Kiaraard - like Faithful Springs, one of those 'track side' fancies for interest - does have a penalty but won impressively at Beverley, for all in a so so race. But it's good on 'the figures' , will race prominently, will stay and just keep galloping. Could be the one they have to pass late on. No doubt one or two of the Newmarket trained blue bloods will sail past, or never get headed, but I thought he looked overpriced.

Ziryab - hard to say 9/4 is value, was 11/4, 3s in places which was ok. Unexposed, won well at Leicester in a race working out well, before thrown into a Royal Ascot handicap - raced wide and prominent there and looked far too lit up for my liking - but it was to his credit he ran so well and stuck on (ahead of Coco Jack, who would be an annoying winner here). He's in much calmer handicapping waters here, Rab takes over, and I thought if he could get some cover/settle better, this lot could be in big trouble. Yard in fine form, as usual at this time of year. There could be a stakes horse lurking here.

Jumbeau - hmm, an EW NAP I suppose... Star Guest put her in her place last time I suppose, but there is a 9lb swing and this one did keep at it, and was well clear of the rest. They may be 1-2 again - the possible reason for an overturn in form - well that was a return to sprinting, so may be sharper for it, and also there wasn't much pace last time, they dawdled, which suited the winner for sure, and not this one. She didn't have the change of gears that Star Guest possessed. In saying that, the latter may do better for a stronger gallop also! In any case, on paper there looked to be a few more front runners and pace pushers, which 'could' help this one travel into the race better. She'll be staying on up this hill, hopefully top 3 in the very worst case. Yard in decent form, and Rab now jumps on, he's 2/9,5p, +6 riding for Tom Clover.

I stared at Minnetonka for a time at 10/1 and changed my mind - I liked the booking of Spencer, as this filly may appreciate being dropped out/settled, and running through/past horses- there could be enough pace on. I wasn't 100% convinced but has been highly tried and makes handicap debut - if I was track side, she's just the sort I'd throw something at late on, 'just in case' ! :) Having watched a couple of her races back I thought she looked a bit small, but that could be deceptive. But, the two mentioned above set a solid handicapping level, and Jumbeau wasn't beaten far in last year's Windsor Castle and has some class herself.

Isle of Lisamore - put up in my TTC 7 days, I'll stick with him one more time here at 9/2. He is down in class and wouldn't mind a stronger pace to sit off. But ran well here behind a solid rival, a repeat of which would put him bang there. Interestingly, his last win here last summer, came 7 days after his previous start (also here) when narrowly beaten. So, here's hoping... Robert Cowell does well with quick returners, 7 days< , 5/17,6p in the last 2 years. I thought 9/2 looked a shade big against the fav, who is obvious enough but who knows, maybe won't handle the course, and could want an even stronger pace, maybe. Could blow them away mind.

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As always, do with that lot as you please.

Best of luck with any bets,

Josh