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.
AFTER coming third last year, Oriental Prince attempts to go two places better in the David Hardie Engineering Ltd Handicap at Hamilton Park.
Sent off favourite for the same race twelve months ago, he was only beaten a nose and a neck under Paul Mulrennan in a thrilling finish to the five-furlong dash.
Oriental Prince comes from a family that Goldie knows well as he trained both the dam and grand dam and familiar names such as Oriental Lilly, Sound Of Iona, Bonito Cavalo, Rory and Jack Dexter also feature in the pedigree.
Stable companion Classy Al, a two-time course and distance winner is also in the line-up with Lauren Young in the saddle.
Chelsea Banham, who has only had one previous runner at the track, could have a say in things with her narrow April Bath scorer Law Of Average.
Based near Newmarket, Banham is also responsible for Carrow Road in the opening Wyvis Roofing EBF Maiden Stakes, a qualifier for the Hamilton Park 2YO Series Final.
One of two newcomers, the colt is quite sharply-bred although there are also a mile and a seven-furlong winner on his page.
Charlie Johnston, son of the racecourse chairman Mark Johnston, has declared four runners starting with Connor Beasley-ridden Alterity in the One Stop Roofing Supplies Ltd Restricted Novice Stakes.