Horse racing tips: Hamilton and Stratford picks

Aragon Castle needs a break having run very solid seconds the last twice and, raised just 1lb for those efforts, I believe he can break his duck for this season. 

There doesn’t look to be too many pacesetters here and the three-year-old does like to be up with the pace, so he could even get the lead under and take this race to the opposition. 

A mile is the perfect trip for this son of Territories and Buick on board for the first time is obviously another plus. 

The Julie Camacho sprinters are hitting form and I expect the next few weeks to be very productive for the stable. 

Winter Crown hit form at exactly this time last season and he is only 2lbs higher than when he scored in a 0-80 at in late June last year. 

He was the sandwich in second place between and Sacred Falls over this course and distance last time and the four-year-old is slightly better off at the weights with both now, though it will be tight between the three of them. 

The handicapper has relented with Royal Pretender and, given trainer is in top form, this looks a real opportunity for the eight-year-old to outclass his rivals. 

He was a useful and consistent handicap hurdler off higher marks a couple of seasons ago and he initially looked like being the same horse over fences. It does look as though the larger obstacles might have soured him for a while, though, and a return to hurdles has suited him. 

Royal Pretender was beaten 19 ½ lengths last time but weakened between the last two hurdles as his stamina gave out. He is running in a grade of race he has never been in as yet and really could outclass these.