'The prize-money is so good' - which stayer can claim Hamilton riches?

Sunday: 6.18 Hamilton
Sky Bet Sunday Series Stayers Handicap (Class 4) | 1m5f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

High turnouts in the staying division have been seen sparingly this season but this new inclusion to the programme book for the Sunday Series has helped attract a 14-runner field.

Despite the healthy field size, Cloud Thunder is the only likely pace angle and will be dangerous if given too much rope in front, as he was when dominating at Newbury three starts back.

Heather Main has enlisted the services of Silvestre de Sousa to execute such a ride and while Cloud Thunder is quite exposed, his record following breaks of 124 days or longer reads 321 and he must be shortlisted returning from a 142-day absence.

The series has also caught the attention of Irish trainer Richard O'Brien, who saddled Morph Speed to finish 12th in the Chester Cup on Friday. O'Brien is 1-6 in Britain and the British and Irish handicappers see eye to eye on Uncharted's handicap mark of 78.

Richard O'Brien: the Irish trainer sends across Uncharted for the Sunday Series contestCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Uncharted tackled inadequate trips early in her life but has improved with time and distance. Her first try over 1m5f matched her career-best RPR at Navan last time when second in a 20-runner handicap and that might have been a stronger contest than this one. It was also her first run in 204 days and a 3lb rise is not the end of the world.

Also worthy of consideration is Baileys Derbyday, an unexposed stayer who belatedly broke his maiden at Chelmsford in April on his second run after a gelding operation.

Baileys Derbyday's pedigree gives hope he can prove better than a mark of 78 as a son of New Approach and a half-brother to a Prix Jean Prat winner. This race is undoubtedly stronger than the Chelmsford one but he might be a stayer to note throughout the season.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Heather Main sets out on northern raid

Heather Main is an unfamiliar name to Hamilton racegoers but she is hoping that will change after the valuable staying handicap.

Captain Haddock and Cloud Thunder are making a 740-mile round trip from their yard in Oxfordshire and their trainer reckons both have realistic chances in the 1m5f contest.

"We are making our northern raid and sending three horses to the meeting as the prize-money is so good," said Main.

Heather Main: 'It's a tough call to choose between my two runners'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"Captain Haddock won at the track last June. He might have needed the run last time at Doncaster and I'm sure he will go well. We've booked Joanna Mason for this race as we like the way she rides and she has experience of the track.

"It's a tough call to choose between my two runners as I am also quite keen on Cloud Thunder, though we don't know how he will handle the track. There is also a slight possibility that he might need the race."

What they say

Grant Tuer, trainer of Emaraty Hero
He ran really well last time at Doncaster but we probably got the tactics wrong and had him too far out the back. Ideally he'd want fast ground but is well handicapped and he's going to have a nice summer.

Richard O'Brien, trainer of Uncharted
She probably got the run of the race on her first start of the season at Navan but it was still a nice run from her. If she can build on that then hopefully she could be competitive.

Keith Dalgleish, trainer of Haizoom
She has a decent chance. She was probably just a bit too fresh when disappointing us at this course last week. There will be a bigger field this time and that should be more in her favour.

Phil Kirby, trainer of Lord Torranaga
He's very consistent and well enough handicapped for a weak race but in a race like this you probably need to be 7lb ahead of the handicap.

Jedd O'Keeffe, trainer of Percy Willis
He's been having a very good year and we were happy with his run on turf last time. He's mainly run on the all-weather but that's just because of circumstances, his jockey last time said he is just as good on turf. Many of his races have been steadily run and with this big field we are hoping for a decent gallop as that will be a big help.

Jim Goldie, trainer of Grand Canal
He ran okay last week and another couple of furlongs will help him – he stays and gallops. He probably wants it to dry out a bit as we think he's better on good ground. Last week was a nice blowout and he's got an each-way chance.
Reporting by Michael Robson

Read Sunday's previews:

4.05 Leopardstown: Irish 1,000 Guineas clues may emerge as Agartha bids to enhance Classic claims

4.35 Leopardstown: 'This was always the plan' - analysis and quotes for another key Derby trial

5.05 Leopardstown: 'We think he's progressing' - Aidan O'Brien-trained Ivy League seeking hat-trick

5.18 Hamilton: 'That's not ideal' - how will the draw impact on a fast and furious sprint?

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