Hamilton Preview: River looks Heavenly on handicap debut

Heavenly River can take advantage of what looks a lenient opening mark to land the 1m handicap at Hamilton today (3.40).

The Karl Burke trained filly has only had four runs, and has shown enough ability to suggest she should be capable fo winning a race of this nature.

The daughter of Stormy River particularly caught the eye on her penultimate start at over 7f at Redcar when fourth of 14 to Ribblehead in a race which has worked out well.

After being slowly away and outpaced at the rear in the early stages, Heavenly River stayed on nicely without being unduly punished to be beaten just over four lengths.

The winner has gone on to be placed in two handicaps and is now rated 77, and the runner-up and third home have both come out and won since.

That gives the form a strong look and suggests that Heavenly River could of got in lightly off an opening handicap mark of just 61.

The step up to a mile also looks sure to suit, and with the claim of talented apprentice Joey Haynes taking off another 3lb of Heavenly River’s back the three-year-old looks weighted to take all the beating.

Baron Run has a terrific record at the track and holds leading claims of providing Burke and Haynes with a double in the 6f handicap (4.40).

The gelding is a four-time course and distance winner, and the last of those sucesses came on Baron Run’s penultimate start where he made all and gamely beat Layala’s Hero by 3/4 of a length.
The four-year-old was then not seen to best effect when well beaten in the Ayr Bronze Cup 10 days ago, but that was a class 2 contest and it would be no surprise to see Baron Run bounce back now dropped back down to class 4 company and returned to this venue.

In the 1m 4f handicap that closes proceedings (5.10), Vittachi looks weighted to go well at a big price.

The Alistair Whillans trained seven-year-old has failed to sparkle in four runs this season, but has fallen 6lb in the weights as a result.

The gelding is now running off 53, and that is the same as when he was last successful over course and distance 12 months ago.