Hamilton Racecourse preparing for richest-ever race day this Friday

Daily Record
 
Hamilton Racecourse preparing for richest-ever race day this Friday

Hamilton Park are preparing for their richest-ever race day this Friday for the Phoenix Utilities Ltd Lanark Silver Bell Racenight, with record total prize money set to exceed £212,000.

Friday’s feature race, the Phoenix Utilities Ltd Lanark Silver Bell, has shown a full field of 15 high-quality runners set to contest the Heritage Handicap.

Newmarket trainer, Roger Varian will be looking to secure another win at Hamilton Park with Postileo after his most recent win in the Class 2 Patersons of Greenoakhill Buttonhook in May, whilst Jim Goldie will be stacking up the odds for another win of the prestigious title as he comes triple-handed with last year’s runner-up Sir Chauvelin, Faylaq and Geremia.

The highest rated horses at the top of the weights are Hidden Dimples for George Boughey and the Edward Bethell-trained Chillingham, who has chosen to take on the battle for the Silver Bell Trophy in the hope of adding his name to the roll of honour.

In addition, course and distance winner Beraz trained by Julie Camacho will be looking to strike for the second time at Hamilton Park after winning a Class 4 in July showing a promising future for the Yorkshire trained horse.

Charlie Johnston has also targeted the fixture and will be looking to continue his winning form after his hat trick at Hamilton Park’s Allstone Group Scottish Trophy Racenight last week.

Charlie is double-handed in this year’s renewal with Hadrianus and Struth set to feature with the Middleham-based yard hoping to build on their fantastic record in the historic Silver Bell race, having trained five previous winners in the fifteen years since it’s introduction at Hamilton Park in 2008.

Ashley Moon, Racecourse Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to improve the quality of Friday evenings fixture having upgraded the prestigious Lanark Silver Bell race to a Heritage Handicap worth £100,000 in 2022 to make it our richest single race ever.

“To support the feature race we’ve invested significantly in this year’s race programme to make it our richest ever raceday with total prize money set to exceed £212,000 for the very first time.

“I for one cannot wait to see who’s name will be added to the iconic trophy on Friday evening!

“It is extremely pleasing to see trainers from Newmarket, Yorkshire and of course Scotland targeting the fixture providing high quality racing for this year’s renewal which will make for yet again another exciting contest.

“Jim Goldie has his eyes set on the trophy for a second consecutive year with last year’s runner up Sir Chauvelin, but I’m sure trainers such as Roger Varian, Andrew Balding and George Boughey will be keen to see their name etched into the history of the Silver Bell.

“After racing we welcome back the ever-popular Goerge Bowie and his GBX Anthems. Grab a glowstick and get your dancing shoes on as he is sure to have the crowd dancing through until 10pm!”

Adult tickets are priced at £22.50 when booked online during the advance booking window, saving £5.50 on the full adult price, and are available now at www.hamilton-park.co.uk.

As always, children under-18s go free, under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

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