5:15 Hamilton Tips

The in-form Harry Charlton-trained Blue Day won a Class 4 5f handicap at Ascot on his penultimate start. The 4-year-old Blue Point gelding was an unlucky 1/2 length second to Duran, giving 4 lbs last time out. Even though he carries top weight (9-12), he is, in my opinion, still progressing and can go close again in this Class 3 company.

Smart Individual, who hasn't won on turf for some time, but does generally run well in some nice races, as he did when 2nd off this mark at York a fortnight ago. Looks ready to strike.

Marching Mac was fourth in a hot race at Epsom last time out, which is good form. He can improve here to go close with plenty of support in the market.

Back in April, off a mark of eighty-two, Trilby won a class three race at Beverley. Unfortunately, since then he has either had a dip in form or too much weight on his back. He is now down to being just one pound higher than his winning run at Beverley.

Manila Scouse is a 6-year-old gelding trained by Tim Easterby. He has 5 wins out of 34 on turf. He is a course winner on today's good going and won over 5f. His last win came off a 2lb higher mark of 83. He also comes to hand this time of year, winning four times between the months of June and August. Manila Scouse commands some respect at 12-1 under jockey David Allan, who knows him well.

Previously rated 87 back in 2022. Starting to find those heights again after finding some nice form with back-to-back wins off 72 and 77. Looking for a hat-trick here off 81 with talented claimer Archie Young taking 5 lbs off. He is in good form with a SR of just under 30% over the last 14 days. Yard in modest form. Good each-way chance.

Top course trainer Jim Goldie teams up with top course jockey again with Oriental Prince, who finished third over course and distance last time in a bunch finish. I felt he was a tad unlucky as he raced on the outside early in the race and near the finish got a little intimidated as two horses challenged on either side.

There's a suspicion that this course and distance-winning gelding could be too harshly handicapped. But with the yard in form and the horse racing at a track he has performed well at before, I'm going to risk a small wager.

This gelding has proven to be a fairly useful handicapper, having triumphed in an 8-runner event at Catterick last time out, winning by a short head from Keldeo. His best form is at 5f, and he is effective on both firm and soft ground, and runs confidently with headgear. With a respected yard and the jockey's 3lb claim, this C&D winner is a solid choice for an each-way bet at 16/1.

Could have gone several ways with this one, but the softening of the ground and the acceptable draw pushed this selection forward. Wins have come on soft, and while the ground is not that bad, it is weak enough to give hope at this price.

Zarzyni didn't like the Newmarket dip last time out, and this horse should certainly be available at much lower odds. Great each-way chance.

Never Dark won over today's course and distance in September. That was on soft going and today's easy ground should be fine. One pound higher on official ratings compared to that win, Never Dark can go well at big odds. Billy Garrity, who won on the horse last year, regains the ride.