Hamilton Preview: Rally has Mass appeal in Stewards’ Cup

Hamilton stage their biggest meeting of the year this evening, and Mass Rally can take advantage of a drop in class to land the John Smith’s Scottish Stewards’ Cup (7.40).

The Michael Dods’ trained gelding is a smart sort who is ideally suited by big fields and a strong pace to aim at.

The seven-year-old is just 2lb higher than when registering his last success in an ultra competitive class 2 handicap at York back in October, and has since performed with great credit in Group company.

Those runs include a decent sixth of 14 to Slade Power in a Group 2 contest at Ascot, and a cracking fourth of 13 to Maarek in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes last time out.

The latter suggested that Mass Rally was coming back to his best, and the son of Kheleyf now drops back into handicap company for the first time since when last successful.

Although Mass Rally has to shoulder top-weight of 9st 12lb, the veteran is the class act in the field and looks sure to get the race run to suit.

Gadobout Dancer came back to form when runner-up last time out and looks weighted to go one better in the 1m handicap that opens proceedings (6.10).

The mare is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing a 1m 2f contest at Beverley back in September 2012 off a mark of 51 when trained by Tony Coyle.

Before that her previous victory had come off 52 over course and distance, and the seven-year-old now runs off a mark of just 45.

That gives Gadobout Dancer, who is now trained by Keith Dalgliesh, a big chance at the weights and the daughter of Tobougg signalled that she was ready to take advantage when chasing home stable companion Vosne Romanee over 1m 1f at this track last month.

Trainer Luca Cumani doesn’t have many runners at the track, and Postponed can take advantage of a drop in grade to provide the Newmarket handler with a winner in the Listed 1m 3f contest (8.10).

The colt has been placed twice in Group company this season, finishing third to Toormore in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket and an excellent third to the ultra-progressive Cannock Chase in the 1m 2f Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out.

The son of Dubawi stayed on strongly to be beaten just 1 3/4 lengths in the latter, and the extra furlong and drop in class should be enough to see Postponed get back in the winners’ enclosure.

Selections:
6.10: Gadobout Dancer (NB)
6.40: Songye
7.10: Baron Run
7.40: Mass Rally (NAP)
8.10: Postponed
8.45: Stout Cortez
9.15: Royal Straight