Pat Shanahan aims for win double at Hamilton

Saeed bin Suroor whose Fine View can finally get her head in front at Leicester today. Picture: Getty

Now based at Kells in Co Kilkenny, the man who landed the 1996 Irish Derby and 1984 Irish Oaks on Zagreb and Princess Pati respectively saddles two runners at the Lanarkshire venue.

First up for Shanahan is King Of The Picts who shoulders top weight in the totepool Racing’s Biggest Supporter Handicap.

Second on his last two outings at Newcastle, the Irish raider faces five rivals in the 1m 5f event, including Alistair Whillans’ Hawick visitor Scrapper Smith.

Shanahan, who has sent out a winner in each of the last two seasons at Hamilton Park, is also represented by Sarah Joyce, one of seven declared for the Racing UK Now Available £10 Per Day Handicap. Set to be partnered by Joe Fanning, the filly wasn’t disgraced on two recent runs at Newcastle and she should be suited by this slight step back up in trip.

Keith Dalgleish won this last year with Incurs Four Faults and the Carluke trainer bids to retain the prize with Archie’s Advice, who has a hefty 10st on his back.

Elsewhere today, Fine View has shown glimpses of ability in four maiden starts to date but a switch to handicap company can see her finally get her  head in front at Leicester, writes Glendale.

Saeed bin Suroor has given the three-year-old ample chance to make her mark at maiden level and, while she has run into a nice type or two, she seemingly falls short in that company.

Her initial run when beaten two lengths by Crystal Zvezda reads well enough, but Fine View could finish only fourth at Chelmsford in May while two subsequent outings have seen her finish second. The  handicapper has pitched her in off a mark of 75 in the EBF  Stallions Breeding Winners Fillies’ Handicap and that appears perfectly workable for this daughter of Arch.

Gleneely Girl is another who has hit the bar twice of late, but her turn can come in the Loughborough Handicap. She was beaten by Edge Of Heaven on her penultimate run and, given that one is now unbeaten in three outings this season, the form has a pleasing look about it.

Souville is something of a rarity as a daughter of Dalakhani, who seemingly excels over sprint trips, but she can further augment her racing record in the betdaq.com £20 Free Bet Classified Stakes at Doncaster.

Chris Wall’s runner has scored three times over six furlongs now, with her most recent triumph coming at Windsor last month when she finished with a flourish to go from last to first in the dying strides.

She is burdened with an extra 6lb here, but that may prove no bar to success.

Honorina hails from an excellent family and she can make a perfect start to her racing career in the Kinder Appeal EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes. A daughter of Sea The Stars, she counts the likes of Treasure Beach and Indian Creek among her near relatives and must surely have a little innate speed.

l Attendances at Scottish racecourses have increased by 6.5% for the first six months of 2015. If the trend continues crowd numbers will smash the record set in 2011 which was just under 300,000.

The average attendance from January – June was 3,115, up from 2,987 in 2014.

Scottish Racing Manager, Lorna Ferguson said; “Many factors have helped to achieve these record figures but we  are delighted that more people are now coming racing in  Scotland.”

l Ryan Moore is back home recuperating after a further check-up following his fall at Newmarket last Thursday.

The former champion suffered a neck injury when his mount, Newton’s Law, reared up and became trapped under the stalls..

While Moore walked away from the scene, he was reported to be complaining of pain in his neck and was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for checks.

Moore’s agent Tony Hind said: “Ryan rang me and said he’s all OK but he’ll be out for a while.”