Hamilton tries where Perth failed

Published on 14/07/2012 03:06

PERTH’S bad luck with the weather struck again yesterday when the Scone track’s National Hunt meeting planned for tomorrow had to be abandoned due to a waterlogged course. Now Hamilton are trying to beat the elements, with a 7am inspection planned ahead of their Scottish Steward Cup meeting this evening.

An 8am inspection had been called at Perth due to persistent rain but clerk of the course Harriet Graham had an easy decision. “I’m afraid we’ve had to abandon, we’re still waterlogged,” she said. “It’s not drying today, it’s a misty, drizzly morning. We’ve got no chance. It’s very hard on the groundstaff but we’ve had to admit defeat.”

If Hamilton gets the go ahead, Klynch will bid to extend his winning sequence to four in the feature £35,000 John Smith’s Scottish Stewards’ Cup,.

The six-year-old has already won over course and distance at the Lanarkshire track this summer with strikes either side at York and Epsom. He is one of ten in the field holding an entry for next month’s Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood and trainer Ruth Carr said: “He’s been an amazing horse but he’s gone up a fair way in the weights. He loves Hamilton and we’re keeping our fingers crossed the meeting beats the weather. His owner Dougie Renton is from St Andrews and was keen to go for this race so it would be lovely to win it for him.”

Valery Borzov is bidding to give trainer Richard Fahey a remarkable fifth triumph in six years. The Malton has struck in the past with Quest For Success (2009 & 2011) and Knot In Wood (2007 & 2008).

First season handler Scott Dixon is triple-handed with Thunderball, Docofthebay and Masked Dance, the first runners he has sent to Hamilton Park from his Nottinghamshire base.