Surely time for Varian to have the last laugh

Encouraging return at Ascot bodes well for progressive-looking three-year-old

LAUGH A MINUTE can make the most of a drop in class in the British Stallion Studs Clyde EBF Conditions Stakes at Hamilton.

Roger Varian’s charge was among the smarter juvenile performers last season, chasing home the likes of Wells Farhh Go and Dream Today before landing a sizeable pot at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting.

His victory in that sales race saw his mark shoot up from 82 to 101, which forced Varian to raise his sights significantly on his return to action.

While Laugh A Minute could finish only fourth in the Group Three Pavilion Stakes at Ascot last month, that was a decent effort as he raced a bit too keenly in the early stages and surely would have found the six furlong trip a shade too sharp.

Laugh A Minute should now have the racing edge on him, though, and while he has a bit to find with Kimberella and Sir Dancealot, this Mayson colt looks one who can make swift progress through the ranks.

KHARBETATION has been a bit disappointing since winning on his belated debut in July 2016, but should be followed as he lines up on his lowest rating yet in the Weatherbys Printing Services Hamiltonian Handicap.

He appeared to take a step in the right direction when finishing fourth at Ripon on his reappearance, just dropping off the pace a little when push came to shove at the line.

David O’Meara switches back to nine furlongs and off a perch of 80, Kharbetation might be ready to finally resume winning ways.

DOMITILLA can sparkle on her return in the Capital Roofing Fillies’ Handicap at Wolverhampton.

She was last seen when winning on her handicap debut at Lingfield back in December, with three subsequent winners finishing in behind to give the form a solid look.

Marco Botti’s charge has been raised 7lb for that effort, but she could still be ahead of the game. SELECTIONS HAMILTON: 2.00 Firewater, 2.30 Rotherhithe, 3.00 Sunrize, 3.30 LAUGH A MINUTE (NAP), 4.00 Kharbetation, 4.30 Start Time, 5.00 Jessie Allan. WOLVERHAMPTON: 1.50 Fareeq, 2.20 Burj, 2.50 Mad Endeavour, 3.20 Kashgar, 3.50 Domitilla, 4.20 Mischief Managed, 4.50 Boodley, 5.20 Private Cashier.

DOUBLE: Laugh A Minute and Domitilla.