The 20:10 at Beverley is a Class 6 handicap over 1m½f for three-year-olds, run on good-to-firm ground. It is not the deepest contest on the card, but it is an interesting betting race because the short-priced favourite, Hatamoto, looks solid rather than bombproof.

Hatamoto brings the strongest recent form into the race. He has been placed in three of his four handicap runs this season and ran well when second at Ripon last time. His Racing Post Rating gives him a clear form chance, and his consistency makes him the obvious starting point. However, he remains a maiden after seven starts, and at around 6/5, the market may be asking punters to pay a short price for reliability rather than clear winning authority.

The more interesting runner could be Amber Hamur. She has yet to win, but she remains lightly raced and now starts out for Edward Bethell, whose stable statistics stand out positively. The step up in trip looks a logical move, and her pedigree offers encouragement that this extra distance may unlock improvement. With PJ McDonald booked and strong trainer-track angles in her favour, she looks the one most likely to improve past the exposed form horses.

Mali Star also deserves respect. His latest run over 1m2f can be forgiven, as the trip may simply have stretched him. Before that, he had shaped well twice over a mile, including on quick ground, and Ruth Carr has a solid record at Beverley. He is not the most convincing win candidate, but at bigger odds he has place claims and could easily outrun his price if bouncing back.

Regal Knight is harder to assess. He remains a maiden and has not shown enough so far to be strongly fancied, but the booking of Silvestre de Sousa is eye-catching and first-time blinkers could sharpen him up. He is more of a speculative each-way player than a serious win selection.

Singarda continues to slide in the weights and cheekpieces are added, but his recent form leaves questions to answer. Ten Sixty Six has useful back form but has been disappointing in handicaps this season, while Eva The Deeva and Itszaboy both need significant improvement to get involved.

Overall, Hatamoto is the safest horse in the race, but Amber Hamur makes more appeal at the prices. She has the right blend of unexposed potential, stable strength and a suitable new trip, and she looks capable of taking the step forward required to win a weak handicap.

Selection: Amber Hamur
Main danger: Hatamoto
Each-way alternative: Mali Star
Best value: Amber Hamur.