Delighted Paul Hanagan is to the four on his Hamilton return

He had earlier struck on Mawaqeet, Ginger Goose and Double Cee with the latter pair combining with the feature race hero for a Richard Fahey treble.

Sparkling Portrait, a well-backed 11/8 favourite and carrying the black and white stripes of Newcastle United fanatic Mike Browne, stayed on strongly to beat Goldoni by three-quarters of a length.

Hanagan said: “He clipped the heels of a runner at Royal Ascot and knocked my foot out of the irons. I thought we would nearly have won otherwise and this is nice compensation.

“I love coming back to Hamilton and I’ve been coming up here since I was 17 – I don’t want to tell what age I am now! I actually had a five-timer here last summer. I’m obviously based in the south now but its nice to get back.”

Interrupting the Hanagan domination was Graham Gibbons’ Colonel Mak who took the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF Conditions Stakes. David Barron’s Thirsk raider was making a quick reappearance after finishing out of the money over course and distance five-days earlier.

And it was also same again for Economic Crisis who followed up her victory at the Lanarkshire course on Saturday night by securing the Follow @ScottishRacingGB On Twitter Handicap for Paddy Aspell and Alan Berry. The filly is owned by Tom Blane, originally from Hamilton but now based in Southport.

Meanwhile, English-born, Chantilly-based trainer John Hammond has tipped Dunaden to do well in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Hammond saddled the great Montjeu to land the midsummer middle-distance championship in 2000. Montjeu also enjoyed success as a stallion and is represented by St Nicholas Abbey, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf and two Coronation Cups, and 2011 St Leger victor Masked Marvel in the big race.

However, while expecting St Nicholas Abbey to run well for the Aidan O’Brien stable, Hammond is keen on the chances of Dunaden. Last year’s Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase hero is trained in France by Mikel Delzangles and looked an unlucky loser when runner-up to fellow King George rival Sea Moon in the Hardwicke Stakes over the course and distance at the Royal meeting.

“It’s a open contest and I thought Dunaden ran well at Ascot,” said Hammond. “He got a bit too far behind in a race with a slow pace. He could move up from that off a good pace. He likes coming off a fast pace.

“I saw St Nicholas Abbey was drifting in the betting but I don’t know what that was about. It’s an interesting race.”