IT takes dedication to be a record-breaker, as Roy Castle persists in

saying, and Laurel Queen possesses that quality in bucket loads.

She equalled Misty Halo's post-war record of wins for a filly or mare

by scoring for the twenty-first time at Lingfield last Saturday, and can

take the record outright by winning the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

Handicap today at Hamilton.

The vast majority of her wins have been gained in claimers and she has

only won one handicap, but she has never been better and is taken to

defy top-weight.

The only danger is Talented Ting, who continued to improve in his

visor when two-and-a-half lengths the master of Marchman at Nottingham

last time.

He may, however, prefer further than today's trip and Laurel Queen

should beat him.

Michael Stoute does not often journey too far north but can make sure

that the long drive home is a happy one by winning the maiden race with

Knave's Ash.

This colt has come up against useful sorts on his two starts, and

faces nothing of note here.

Peter Quince, a lightly raced colt with an exciting future, represents

the best bet at Windsor.

Henry Cecil's three-year-old was denied a racecourse outing until last

month owing to a hairline fracture of a cannon bone sustained last year.

When an opportunity finally arose, Peter Quince wasted no time in

making his intentions crystal clear, quickening smartly inside the final

furlong to beat odds-on favourite Lacotte by three lengths at Ascot.

The runner-up had previously chased home Sabrehill (current favourite

for York's Juddmonte International Stakes) so the form could be useful.

An entry in the Champion Stakes suggests Peter Quince is held in high

regard and with normal improvement he is fancied to beat the 'form

horse' Blue Lion.