Hamilton Preview: Hanalei can keep rivals at Bay

Hanalei Bay has his optimum conditions in the 1m handicap at Hamilton today (2.40) and looks a worthy favourite to notch a third success of the season.

The Keith Dalgliesh trained colt has been in good form this term, winning at Ayr over a mile back in July before scoring over course and distance on his penultimate start off a mark of 71.

The four-year-old made all and showed a game attitude to beat An Chulainn by a neck in the latter, and then found the step up to 1m 2f at Chester last time totally against him.

The drop back to a mile this afternoon looks sure to see Hanalei Bay in a better light, and off just 3lb higher than when last successful the son of Tamayuz is going to be a tough nut to crack if allowed an easy lead up front in the hands of Phillip Makin.

Makin has a tremendous strike rate of nearly 43% when teaming up with stable in the past 12 months, and his booking suggests that connections mean business.

In the 1m 1f handicap (3.15), Irish raider Ed Led Jed is a fascinating contender and can make the most of the 14lb she receives from favourite Quest Of Colour to land the spoils.

The John McConnell trained filly is yet to win in nine starts, but caught the eye last time out when fifth of 13 to Gold Focus at Ballinrobe.

The daughter of Baltic King was slowly away and then encountered all sorts of traffic problems before staying on well to be beaten just over two lengths.

It was an effort which suggested Ed Led Jed should be capable of winning a race of this nature, and she is now able to race off 3lb lower and gets the cheekpieces fitted for the first time.

If the headgear has the desired effect, then Ed Led Jed looks weighted to take all the beating.

Baron Run has a terrific record at track and can further enhance it with victory in the 6f handicap (5.00).

The gelding is a three time course and distance winner, and the last of those sucesses came on his penultimate start where Baron Run made all and gamely beat Layla’s Hero by a short-head.