Excellent evening at Hamilton Park

Things didn't go to plan on Saturday as far as the Top 40 were concerned with Earth Song only finishing sixth in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh. The Ribblesdale Stakes winner wasn't ideally positioned on the far rail but once in the open, James Doyle's filly failed to quicken and was well beaten behind Johanna Walsh who she had managed to reel in late on at the Royal meeting. Eleven and a half lengths in arrears here, she is better than she showed and will hopefully bounce back in the Autumn - the Group 1 Fillies & Mares at Ascot on champions day (17th October) may provide her best opportunity. Despite her win at Royal Ascot being gained on fast ground, one wonders whether William Haggas' filly prefers a slower surface. 

Earlier in the day, her stablemate Binhareer filled fourth position in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury having held every chance inside the final quarter of a mile. William Haggas has stressed throughout that the four year old prefers softer ground and the grey failed to quicken when the tempo lifted in the closing stages. Beaten two and a half lengths, this will be deemed a disappointing effort but I wouldn't be in a rush to write him off. Entered in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood (1st August) and Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup (5th September), there is a fine line between a high-class sprint handicapper and a top flight one and he remains capable of winning a big prize when finally encountering some give underfoot. 

Thanks to Racing TV, I have been fortunate to regularly attend Hamilton Park for their Listed Glasgow Stakes and Scottish Stewards' Cup meeting over the years. Returning to the South Lanarkshire track on Friday evening, it once again lived up to the billing. From a personal point of view, Ferrous' narrow defeat in the latter event was a bitter pill to swallow with Jack Channon's runner being headed on the line by Strike Red in a thrilling finish. However, the highlight of the night was provided by Superior Choice in the track's only Pattern race event . In a contest which has produced four subsequent Group 1 winners during the last twelve years, it was therefore fitting that the 2026 renewals was won by the most progressive runner in the six runner line-up. Featured in the Maidens In Waiting section, the John & Thady Gosden trained runner had impressed in victories at Leicester and Newmarket beforehand and confirmed the view with an even better performance. Partnered by Shane Foley, who was having only his third ride at the track (he had his first at the corresponding meeting 18 years earlier), the Dubawi colt was patiently ridden in rear before making his effort on the outside. Quickening up smartly to go passed the Top 40 entry Prizeland, he pulled away to win hard held by a length and three quarters - he hit a top speed of 40.66mph inside the penultimate furlong. Out of a Ribblesdale and Prix Royallieu winner, he ought to stay a mile and a half and is entered in the Group 2 Voltigeur Stakes at York (19th August). On pedigree, he may stay a mile and six and it will be interesting to see if his connections consider an entry in the St Leger - entries have been made by the 10th August. Either way, Superior Choice is an improving colt who is ready for a tilt at a Group race. 

Then, to round off the perfect trip, I spent half an hour talking to Jim Goldie at breakfast on Saturday morning. The wily scotsman, who has trained 45 winners in 2026, is planning to appeal Salam Dubawi's demotion to fifth position in this month's John Smith's Cup at York. He also offered news on the two horses being up for the Portland and Cambridgeshire Handicaps..........