JOSH DOYLE, who has yet to ride a winner in 26 mounts, is napped to break his duck at Hamilton today.

The teenage Irishman, attached to David O'Meara's North Yorkshire yard, can notch his eagerly-awaited first success aboard Dansili Dutch, trained by his boss, in the Alex Ferguson Memorial Handicap.

Doyle has ridden this mare in her recent races when she has filled the frame at Doncaster, Newcastle and here at Hamilton. She looked an unlucky loser on her latest start on this course.

Denied a clear run inside the final quarter-mile, just the race was beginning in earnest, Doyle was forced to switch his mount to the outside. Under hands and heels riding, the five-year-old stayed on strongly to finish third, beaten little more than a length by the winner Push Me.

Dansili Dutch gets chance gain compensation this afternoon and is selected to provide Doyle with a day to remember.

O'Meara, who is sending out bags of winners at the moment, can also land the Weatherbys Private Banking Handicap, the richest race on the card, with Shouranour, the mount of David Nolan.

The four-year-old previously trained in Ireland by John Oxx, for whom he showed average ability, finished third at Newcastle on his debut for O'Meara a couple of weeks ago. Lightly-raced, he is open to further improvement and he is selected to prove too strong for recent Ayr winner Another For Joe, who has been hiked up 11lb by the handicapper.

Flightly Clarets may prove the answer to the Weatherbys Bank Handicap over six furlongs.

The Richard Fahey-trained four-year-old made a pleasing return to action when second to Adiator at Newcastle just over a fortnight ago. It would be no surprise to see Flighty Clarets go one better this time. Samantha Bell has the mount.

Jason Hart, pictured, is just two winners shy of losing his claim and can land the opening Lanarkshire Chamber Of Commerce Apprentices' Handicap on Major Muscari.

The six-year-old showed a return to form when second to his in-form stable-mate Fathom Five at Catterick last week. Shaun Harris's gelding can now enjoy his turn in the sunshine.

Margrets Gift is hardly the most talented horse in Tim Easterby's Habton Grange yard, but she is overdue a winning turn after runner-up efforts at Redcar and Musselburgh on her latest two starts. The modest-looking Griffiths & Armour Open Maiden Stakes may provide Margrets Gift with the opportunity of succeeding. David Allan rides.

The consistent Call Of Duty (4.00) and recent Musselburgh winner Rocky Two (5.00) are also worth considering at Hamilton.

At Southwell, Brian Ellison can secure the 32Red Tomb Raider Maiden Stakes with Epic Voyage, the mount of Paul Pickard.

The three-year-old has yet to run for Norton-based Ellison, but he showed a decent level of ability in three outings last year for Newmarket trainer John Gosden, twice finishing second in maiden company before a fourth-placed performance on his all-weather debut on his final start. This looks a good starting point for him on his return to action.

Deep Resolve may prove the solution to the 32Red Casino Handicap.

Trained at Melsonby near Richmond by Alan Swinbank, the three-year-old, broke his maiden here in April since when he has run two creditable races on turf at Redcar and Doncaster. Back on Fibresand this afternoon, Deep Resolve is fancied to run well for Ben Curtis.

Also worth noting are recent course-and-distance winner Shades Of Silk (2.20) and the speedy Foxy Music (3.20), who can shrug off his advancing years by showing a clean pair of heels to his junior rivals dropped into claiming company.

Selections

Hamilton today
2.00 Major Muscari, 2.30 Margrets Gift, 3.00 Dansili Dutch (NAP), 3.30 Shouranour, 4.00 Call Of Duty, 4.30 Flighty Clarets, 5.00 Rocky Two.

Southwell today
2.20 Shades Of Silk, 2.50 Epic Voyage, 3.20 Foxy Music, 3.50 Deep Resolve, 4.20 Jacobs Son, 4.50 Rainbow Rock, 5.20 Pim Street.

Today’s other meetings
Ffos Las, Kempton and Lingfield.

Tomorrow’s meetings
Bath, Catterick, Epsom, Goodwood and Market Rasen.