Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
IRIS DANCER bids for a record-extending eleventh victory in the Cleanstay At Hampton By Hilton Handicap, a race she landed last year by over three lengths.
Locally-owned but trained in Cumbria, her latest strike at the South Lanarkshire venue came seven-days ago when she scrambled home by a nose for a last-gasp success.
Shouldering a 4lb penalty, the eight-year-old mare will have Connor Beasley on board for the first time making him the 23rd different jockey to have ridden her.
“Even with the penalty for that last win I think she is still quite well treated,” reported her in-form trainer Tristan Davidson. “We left the blinkers off a week ago and that seemed to help and she showed all her old spark.
“With the odd exception, she just seems to love her trips to Hamilton and hopefully there will be a few more races to be be won with her up there. She’s sound enough and there is no reason why there shouldn’t be another season in her.”
Iris Dancer faces stern opposition from several course and distrance winners including Jim Goldie pair Catalyse and Doon The Glen.
And Stirrup Cup (Tim Easterby) and Annie Edson Taylor (Phillip Makin) have also scored over Hamilton Park’s undulating straight six-furlongs.
Goldie’s Jordan Electrics, just one behind Iris Dancer on nine course wins, could draw level with his old rival in the preceding Follow Us On X @hamiltonparkrc Handicap.
As well as the track record holder over five and six-furlongs, the Uplawmoor trainer also saddles Montezuma and Classy Al in a wide-open looking dash.