Robert Winston deserts his York base this evening heading for Hamilton where he has bright prospects of landing the feature race on the card.

The £35,000 Icon Holdings Glasgow Stakes, a Listed race, previously run on Knavesmire, has attracted a mere four runners, including Winston's mount Tam Lin, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who sent out Short Skirt to win the Musidora Stakes at York on Wednesday.

An impressive four lengths winner on his debut in a Leicester maiden race last month, Tam Lin, a son of Selkirk, looks a colt with a useful future. He is fancied to follow up this evening as he bids to further add to his reputation.

Winston can also make his presence felt at the Glasgow course by landing the McGrattan Pilling Handicap aboard Imperial Sword, trained at Maunby near Thirsk by David Barron.

The three-year-old has turned in two creditable efforts this season and, on a course which should play to his strengths, he is selected to make it third time lucky.

The £30,000 Braveheart Handicap is the other principal feature on the Hamilton card, and Ouninpohja makes particular appeal.

Trained near Richmond by Alan Swinbank, the five-year-old stacked up an impressive sequence of wins last season, improving out of all recognition as he was stepped up in trip.

There could be even more to come this season from Ouninphja, who will be re-united with regular rider Dean McKeown for his welcomed return to action.

Major victory bid

Majors Cast can achieve the breakthrough into the top level at Newbury tomorrow by capturing the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes.

Jeremy Noseda's five-year-old, a former top-line handicapper, reached the threshold of being a Group One performer last season which he finished off by filling third place behind Starcraft in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp and fifth in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park.

Majors Cast underlined his well-being at Haydock a couple of weeks ago when cruising home to an easy win, which should have primed him perfectly for this important acid-test.

The admiral Soviet Song, not to mention Rob Roy are in the field, but Majors Cast has a major chance of lifting this fascinating contest.

At Thirsk, a note should be made of Heaven Knows in the Doug Moscrop Retirement Handicap.

Trained at Newmarket by William Haggas, the three-year-old showed plenty of potential in three outings last season, which ended with a cosy win on the all-weather Wolverhampton circuit.

Now into handicap company, he does not look badly treated and appeals as a horse who could enjoy a profitable season.

In the £20,000 Thirsk Handicap, Spiritual Peace has good prospects of collecting the honours for Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan.

A promising performer last season, the three-year-old returned with a win at Southwell last month and looks a horse on the upgrade.

Racing selections

TONIGHT

Hamilton

Selected races: 6.55 Imperial Sword; 7.30 Tam Lin; 8.35 Ouninpohja.

Today's other meetings are at Aintree (evening), Newbury, Nottingham and York.

TOMORROW

Newbury

Selected race: 2.45 Majors Cast.

Thirsk

Selected races: 3.45 Heaven Knows; 4.50 Spiritual Peace.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Bangor, Nottingham, Uttoxeter (evening) and Worcester (evening).

Tom O'Ryan's selections for today's racing at York were: 1.45 Silk Blossom; 2.15 Peppertree Lane; 2.45 Kastoria; 3.50 Dazzling Bay.

Updated: 10:42 Friday, May 19, 2006