Racing: Hamilton is Jordan's cup of tea.

Byline: By ALAN THOMSON

IAN SEMPLE moved off the 13 mark for the season when Jordans Elect battled home bravely up the Hamilton hill yesterday.

Apprentice Tom Eaves grabbed a prominent pitch and Jordans Elect showed too much resolution for favourite Takes Tutu.

Semple said: 'We fancied him a bit at Thirsk but that track rides too quick for him. This demanding uphill finish is much more his cup of tea and we'll be coming back here for the pounds 15,000 final of this qualifier in August.'

The gelding is owned by syndicate of local owners - Ian Crawford from Lanark, Ronnie McCurdy from New Stevenson and Brian Jordan from Wishaw.

Linda Perratt turned out Pirlie Hill again quickly after an abortive trip to Newcastle on Wednesday and the filly won handsomely, despite drifting right across the track to the far rail.

Luckily she was well clear at the time and jockey John Carroll quipped: 'I was just looking for the better ground.'

Pirlie Hill is owned by her Ayrshire breeder Heather Galbraith and she is a full sister to speedy stablemate Ptarmigan Ridge.

Heather said: 'She's named after an area of Mauchline where we go to exercise our horses.'

Semple had high hopes of a double at his local course with Templet but he ran a stinker.

Jim Goldie's smashing servant Kid'z'play cut out much of the donkey work but Jamie Mackay, son of Grangemouth jockey Allan, pounced on Michael Bell's Magic Sting.

The Scottish action moves on to picturesque Perth on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

If you want to arrive early on Saturday the track will be showing live coverage of the Derby.

CAPTION(S):

EAVESY MONEY: Tom Eaves steers Jordans Elect home at Hamilton