Hamilton racing: Rebecca Bastiman’s Dark Defender can continue fine form

Dawaaween trying for course and distance repeat

Dark Defender, ridden by Rowan Scott, wins The Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Stakes at Newmarket. Picture: Dan Abraham/Pool via Getty

Rebecca Bastiman is looking for more success from Dark Defender at today’s behind-closed-doors bumper nine-race card at Hamilton Park.

Dark Defender, formerly trained by Keith Dalgleish, joined his current west Yorkshire trainer after changing hands for £15,000 in the autumn of 2018.

The seven-year-old, who has been raised 4lb for his neck victory at Newmarket a fortnight ago, is set to face ten rivals in the Stay At Our On-Site Hotel Handicap over six-furlongs.

Wetherby-based Bastiman said: “He should come on for that win as he had a good blow afterwards. He had a bit of a blip last season as he suffered with ulcers but he seems in fine form now.

“He’s bouncing at home and I’m really looking forward to running him again.

“Joe Fanning has won on him before and the horse has won at Hamilton so I can’t wait.”

Among the opposition to Dark Defender are Dandys Gold for in-form Roger Fell, and Galloway Hill trained by ex-Flat jockey Phillip Makin.

Dawaaween is likely to go off at a short-price as she bids to follow up her recent breakthrough turf success over course and distance for Middleham trainer James Bethell in division one of the Watch Replays On RacingTV.com Handicap.

Ridden again by high-flying Kevin Stott, she shoulders a 5lb penalty for a comprehensive five-win in a fillies only contest last Wednesday.

At Haydock, Broughtons Gold can complete his hat-trick in the Each Way Extra At Bet365 Handicap.

Tom Clover’s three-year-old is unbeaten since being gelded a year ago, following up an autumn novice auction success with a second victory after an eight-month break on handicap debut down to this six-furlong trip at Newbury.

Broughtons Gold earned himself an 8lb rise for that near two-length verdict three weeks ago. But his superiority was evident from some way out, and both placed horses have since run with enough credit to uphold the form.

There is consequently every reason to expect further progress, with jockey James Doyle booked this time for Clover’s in-form Newmarket yard.

Iron Heart should appreciate going up in distance for the Bet Builder At Bet365 Handicap.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt got going only at the end of proceedings when beaten two lengths in fourth place by Hover at Goodwood over a mile and a quarter.

This race is over almost two furlongs longer and should see him in a better light.

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