16:20 Hamilton: Timeform preview and free Race Pass

On a low-key day of racing on Wednesday, one of the more interesting contests is the mile handicap (16:20) at Hamilton as in Arranmore it features a recent eyecatcher who earned the Horse In Focus Flag to identify him as one to be interested in.

Arranmore (Timeform weight-adjusted rating 87) failed to win last season but he has been given a chance by the handicapper as a consequence and, following a breathing operation, he shaped well when third on his seasonal reappearance at Thirsk 11 days ago on his second start for Dianne Sayer.

Arranmore led and went clear early in the straight, but he was closed down over a furlong out and headed inside the final 50 yards, ultimately being beaten a short-head and half a length.

He probably would have benefited from being ridden with greater patience at Thirsk but he showed enough there to suggest that he's returned in good enough form to take advantage of his reduced mark. He has edged up 1 lb in the weights but still looks well treated and is 3 lb clear on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings, highlighting his obvious claims on these terms.

Shine on Brendan (82) and Strangersontheshore (83) both have the Horses For Courses Flag.

Shine on Brendan won three times at this venue last season and was a good second over course-and-distance on his penultimate outing earlier this month. He followed that up with a creditable third at Ayr last time and he is likely to give another good account.

Strangersontheshore has yet to win at Hamilton but has run well to finish placed on both outings here, while she has two victories apiece at Beverley and Carlisle, two courses that also have a stiff uphill finish. Strangersontheshore was disappointing over a mile and a quarter at Beverley on her penultimate start but she bounced back to form when dropped in trip to a mile at Redcar nine days ago, keeping on well in fourth. She is a largely consistent sort at trips around a mile.

Bay Dream Believer (82) had been campaigned over further but she ran well to finish runner-up at Redcar on her first attempt at a mile earlier this month, finding only a subsequent winner too strong, and she then built on that to score at Wetherby a couple of weeks ago. She deserves credit for coming from behind in a race run at a steady gallop, showing no sign of the temperament issues that seemed to hold her back earlier in her career, and she is entitled to respect on the back of that success.

Ciotog (84) ran creditably when third at Lingfield earlier this month on his return to action. That was the first time he was partnered by ace apprentice Billy Loughnane who retains the ride here.

End Zone (83) is on a losing run of 17 but offered more encouragement when fourth at Catterick a couple of weeks ago.

Timeform's Analyst Verdict:

On the back of a disappointing 2022 campaign, ARRANMORE showed a lot more on reappearance under an attacking ride and on that evidence, he's ready to cash in on this much-reduced mark. Strangerontheshore and Shine On Brendan are feared most.

Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings:

87 Arranmore
84 Ciotog
83 End Zone
83 Strangersontheshore
82 Bay Dream Believer
82 Shine on Brendan

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