8.05 Hamilton – Martin Precision 2025 Handicap (Class 6) – 5f 7y

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Pace Angles: The pace should be solid and contested. Several pace-forcers including Global Effort, Stormy Pearl, and Rock Of England suggest this will not be run at a crawl.
Draw Angles: Historically at Hamilton over 5f on good to firm, low-to-middle draws are marginally favoured, particularly when pace is drawn low – which it is here (stalls 1–4 all have early pace).


Strongest Contenders, Main Dangers, Interesting Outsiders

Strongest Contenders

South Shore – Progressive (8/10)
Remains in form and unlucky not to win recently (6026, 5259). Suited by fast ground and sharp 5f. Versatile tactically and draw in 1 is a bonus given pace setup. Two good seconds in similar races. Likely to race prominently just behind the speed.

Stormy Pearl – Proven (7/10)
Hamilton winner three starts ago and her RPRs (71-78) on last three turf starts mark her as a consistent Class 6 performer. Likes to lead, so might face competition for that role, but her form is holding. Suited to Hamilton.

Global Effort – Proven (7/10)
Back-to-back wins (5788, 6029) including a strong finish last time to collar a leader late. Seems revived by visor and good record at the minimum trip. Up 3lb and tackling stronger company here, but well-drawn in 4 and likely to get a strong pace to chase.


Main Dangers

Rock Of England – Regressive but Well Handicapped (6/10)
Has dropped from OR 74 to 59, bounced back LTO under a strong ride (6026), though that was a weak race and he’s 3lb wrong here. A touch vulnerable in a true-run race with other pace pressure around.

Thunderstorm Katie – Promising Profile (6/10)
Recent dual winner since wind surgery, showing grit (5469, 5883). Slight concern over sharpness of 5f here, but she’s thriving and trainer is in very hot form (7-36 last 14 days). Stamina could be useful if leaders overdo it.


Interesting Outsiders

Too Much – Unproven at trip but slipping in weights (5/10)
Consistent AW mare whose best form is over 6f+. Ran with credit two back but may not be sharp enough at 5f here. Draw and track may help, but others stronger for win purposes.

A Girl Named Ivy – Well-handicapped but unreliable (5/10)
Her form is all over the place but she went close off similar marks in the summer. Racing off career-low OR 63 and stable does well here. Could outrun odds with a pace collapse.


Runner Scores & Suitability Analysis

  • South Shore: 8/10 – Track and trip ideal. Looks well-handicapped. Low draw helps.
  • Stormy Pearl: 7/10 – Course winner, in-form, solid turf RPRs.
  • Global Effort: 7/10 – Thriving, well drawn, and finishes strongly.
  • Thunderstorm Katie: 6/10 – Improving, now proven at the level. Needs them to overdo it in front.
  • Rock Of England: 6/10 – Potentially well treated, but 3lb wrong.
  • Too Much: 5/10 – 5f may be sharp; best AW form over 6–7f.
  • A Girl Named Ivy: 5/10 – Needs everything to fall right. Inconsistent.
  • Chief Of State: 4/10 – Low-grade maiden. No turf form.
  • Thunderstorm Katie: 6/10 – Improving filly, holds place claims if pace burns out.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.


Each-Way Angles (8+ runners)

With 10 runners, each-way terms apply.

  • Thunderstorm Katie – Fast-improving profile post-wind-op. Two wins from last three. Has place claims if pace collapses.
  • Global Effort – Resurgent form, strong finisher, well drawn in 4.

Private Tissue Estimate

  • South Shore – 3/1
  • Stormy Pearl – 9/2
  • Global Effort – 11/2
  • Thunderstorm Katie – 7/1
  • Rock Of England – 8/1
  • A Girl Named Ivy – 10/1
  • Too Much – 12/1
  • Chief Of State – 16/1
  • Thunderstorm Katie – 7/1

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.


Summary + Smart Play

A competitive Class 6 sprint with a solid pace and no obvious standouts, but South Shore appeals as the most reliable with strong recent form, a kind draw, and tactical versatility. He’s been unlucky not to win and looks primed for a bold show.

Stormy Pearl and Global Effort have both won recently and bring consistency, while Thunderstorm Katie is an improver and could pick up the pieces late if they go too hard.


Smart Play

  • Win Selection: South Shore – A consistent, progressive sprinter with ideal conditions and draw.
  • Each-Way Saver: Global Effort – Strong finisher, good recent form, and thrives off strong pace setups.

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