Hamilton’s card is the feature to end the week of racing. The Sunday Series meeting will be broadcast live on ITV4 for those kicking back for the afternoon.
Matty Sutcliffe has three tips for you to follow during the terrestrial action.
Hamilton Racing Tips (Sunday 17 May)
Hamilton’s seven-race card is live on ITV as part of the Sunday Series. Matty has three best bets for you to follow.
3:45 Hamilton – Enter ITV7 For Free EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo) – This Moment 6/4 2pt WIN
I was at Ripon when Mind Those Steps and Thai Ginger were third and fifth to Pageant Girl, who was poor on debut and beaten sixteen lengths next time out in. That looked to be a weak enough contest (second also well beaten since), thus chancing the Newmarket traveller This Moment could prove to be a knocking bet on debut.
George Boughey has a record of 7-4-5 with non-handicap runners at Hamilton, and he has a 20.62% all time strike rate when teaming up with Jack Callan, a marginally improved 23.81% this year. The homebred son of Showcasing is a half-brother to the owners’ Dickensian, who was a winner on two-year old debut at Musselburgh last April and was impressive in winning a listed contest at York this week.
Their dam was a dual winner herself, including in group three company, and it would be disappointing for connections if she couldn’t make a winning debut in what looks a modest affair.
4:15 Hamilton – Sun’s ‘Save Our Bets’ Handicap (Class 4) (3yo 0-85) – Proof 12/1 1pt EW 4 places
Long distance traveller Proof caught my eye for Charles Hills sole runner here, with yard running just four here all time with each other them placing.
The Zoustar colt was kept busy as a two-year-old, making his debut in May when second to the now 105 rated Ardisia. Further placed efforts came, including a third to a subsequent winner in Lebron Power is a 0-85 with the now 93 rated Exclamation in second.
Proof got off the mark in heavy ground at Ffos Las off a mark of 68, cruising through the mud to win going away by four lengths. He finished his campaign with a length third to the well backed The Resdev Scholar at Doncaster, and he began this term with a game win at Southwell to beat the 9/4 favourite.
He fared little chance when shuffled to rear early on at Chester and tenderly handled throughout, and I suspect back on a straight track, where his half brother Spoof won at, we’ll see a different proposition.
4:45 Hamilton – Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-90) – Valiancy 9/4 1pt WIN
William Haggas’ record in course handicaps reads 15-7-10 in the last five years and Valiancy can bolster that record with James Doyle making the trip for just the one ride.
The son of Cracksman was awfully green on debut last season, before improving to finish second to the well backed 4/6 favourite Pole Star, a two time subsequent winner since. He was then a comfortable winner here over 1m3f in what was essentially a piece of work, beating a three time subsequent winner.
He was a beaten favourite twice next time, still looking somewhat unfurnished, but he made no mistake in first time cheek-pieces at Haydock beaten a subsequent listed winner (now rated 15lbs higher) into third a shade cosily.
Like many Cracksmans, he can come into his own with age as his dam did, who’s a half-sister to 2022 Doncaster Cup third Lismore. A mark of 90 looks workable on last years form, and the yard have been in strong form of late including with a well backed improved four-year-old at York this week.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Tips for Sunday 17 May
3:45 Hamilton – Enter ITV7 For Free EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo) – This Moment 6/4 2pt WIN
4:15 Hamilton – Sun’s ‘Save Our Bets’ Handicap (Class 4) (3yo 0-85) – Proof 12/1 1pt EW 4 places
4:45 Hamilton Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-90) Valiancy 9/4 1pt WIN
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Sunday 17 May
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Hamilton on Sunday 17 May.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 12.15pm on Saturday 16 May.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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