5:00 Hamilton
A Class 6 handicap over 1m4f15y on soft ground at Hamilton features a field of nine, with the KTB numbers highlighting a modest bunch where placed efforts and course familiarity carry more weight than progressive profiles. The top four in the Fit rankings are separated by just 11 points, underlining how tight the margins are, though the selection sits comfortably clear at the head of the list. Conditions should suit those with proven soft-ground form or previous success around this track, while the uncontested lead on offer adds a clear tactical dimension.
How the race shapes up
With only one horse shown as a front-runner and the remainder all held-up types, the pace shape points to a lone leader being allowed an easy time upfront. Uncle Liam is the obvious candidate to take that uncontested lead from stall two, which could prove hard for the closers to bridge in the latter stages on this soft surface. The key question is whether any of the held-up brigade can produce a strong enough finishing kick to reel in the leader before the line.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Ned Broy KTB Selection58/100
Ned Broy is a modest performer who ran well when finishing second over this course and distance in August before landing a 2m handicap at Newcastle last time out. He drops back to 1m4f today, a trip that should suit on the balance of his placed efforts at the distance. The yard posts a 12% strike rate at Hamilton from a big sample, and this five-year-old has already shown he handles the track when second here previously. Usually held up, he produces his effort late and should be coming home strongly if the leader tires. Andrew Mullen takes the ride, with both trainer and jockey recording above-average figures at the venue.
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2Uncle Liam53/100
Uncle Liam is a limited performer who has won twice at this track from seven runs and also boasts a win on soft ground from three starts. He steps up in trip today, though he has already won at this distance on his only previous attempt, giving him solid claims if he can rediscover his best. Recent form has been patchy, yet the 10% strike rate of the yard at Hamilton from a large sample keeps him in the picture. Tending to make the running or race prominently, he looks set to enjoy the lone lead in a race where that could be a major advantage. Lauren Young claims 5lb and has a strong 14% strike rate at the track from 65 rides.
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3Farabove The Limit52/100
Farabove The Limit is a modest performer who has shown some ability on the all-weather but has been well held on both starts on soft ground. He steps up in trip for the first time today, which asks a fresh question of him at this new distance. The yard has a solid 15% strike rate at Hamilton from 74 runs, while this is the colt's first run at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will need to find extra if he is to trouble the leaders on this surface. Sam James is in the saddle, with both trainer and jockey operating close to expectations at the venue.
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4Dandy's Angel47/100
Dandy's Angel is a limited performer who has won over this trip in the past but is stepping up in distance today after a string of modest efforts. He has solid placed form on soft ground and a previous success here at Hamilton from seven runs, which adds to his appeal. The yard's modest 8% strike rate at the track is close to expectations, yet the jockey/trainer combination has been notably profitable. Usually held up, he will be produced late and could capitalise if the pace collapses in front. Jason Hart takes the mount on this nine-year-old.
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5Taylormade Lad47/100
Taylormade Lad has shown consistent placed form at this track and on soft ground, including a second here last time, but remains a limited performer who has never won in 15 starts. He steps up in trip today having been placed once in four runs at this distance, which poses a fresh question, while the yard's modest 11% strike rate at Hamilton from a large sample adds no real encouragement.
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6Wootton's Gal47/100
Wootton's Gal is a modest performer who has shown bits of ability but has failed to land a blow in two runs here. Dropping back in trip having been well held over further last time adds a fresh question while the small sample on soft ground means suitability remains unknown. The yard's modest 10% strike-rate at Hamilton from 31 runs offers little encouragement.
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7Flying Moonlight45/100
Flying Moonlight has shown steady placed form on her last three starts and remains lightly raced with scope to improve. She steps up to an untried 1m4f today which asks a fresh question of her stamina. The yard has no recorded runners at Hamilton while this is a limited performer on the figures.
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8Storm On Jura37/100
Storm On Jura is a limited performer who has been well beaten on all six starts at Hamilton and has failed to win or place in 13 runs this year. The yard has a solid 10% strike rate here from a huge sample, but this one has shown little spark on his recent runs. He is unproven on soft ground and has never looked like seeing out this trip successfully.
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9Duleek Street34/100
Duleek Street is a limited performer who has struggled in recent starts and looks vulnerable from stall one. He drops back from two miles having been placed a couple of times at this trip without winning, while he has shown he handles soft ground. Trainer has a solid 14% strike rate here from 21 runs.
KTB verdict
Ned Broy looks the pick after running well when second over C&D in August before winning at Newcastle last time, and the drop back to 1m4f should suit on the balance of his placed efforts at the trip. He has already shown he handles this track, and the yard's solid record at Hamilton adds further confidence. Main dangers are Uncle Liam, who could get an easy lead and has won twice here plus on soft, and the course winner Dandy's Angel, who has placed form on soft. Farabove The Limit is the interesting improver stepping up in trip but has questions to answer on the ground.
KTB Selection Ned Broy
This is the narrative read of the 5:00 Hamilton. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Hamilton racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Hamilton results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is likely to get the uncontested lead?
Uncle Liam, as the only front-runner in a field where the rest are held-up types.
How many wins has Ned Broy recorded in his recent form figures?
One, from the sequence -62351.
Which runner has won twice at Hamilton?
Uncle Liam, who has two wins from seven starts at the track.
What is the longest trip Duleek Street has contested recently?
Two miles, from which he drops back today.
How many of the field have previous placed form on soft ground?
Four: Uncle Liam, Dandy's Angel, Taylormade Lad and Flying Moonlight.
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