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In the 6.15 at Hamilton on Wednesday, Giant Spark probably didn’t have to improve much, if at all, to win a run-of-the-mill amateur riders’ maiden handicap at Redcar eight days ago under Simon Walker, but his previous form had been fair, if unspectacular. He makes a quick reappearance under a 6lb penalty, with the winning jockey on board once again, and can win another ordinary race.

Later on the Hamilton card, in the 8.45, course and distance winner Final Venture has recorded all three career wins on good to firm going on testing tracks so, under ideal conditions, must have a decent chance of completing a hat-trick. The Equiano gelding is 5lb higher in the weights than when making all at Catterick last month, but didn’t see a racecourse until just over a year ago, so could still be open to significant improvement.

Selections: Hamilton 6.15 Giant Spark, Hamilton 8.45 Final Venture, 1-point Win Double

In a break with tradition, this week, our multiple bet this week comes from the Memorial Tournament, hosted by Jack Nicklaus, at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio.

13:15 Bubba Watson

The big-hitting Floridian didn’t play in the Memorial Tournament last year, but recorded his best finish at Muirfield Village in 2014, when he eventually finished third, after holding the 54-hole lead. He has the combination of power and accuracy to take advantage of the reachable par fives and, although he faces tough opposition, in the form of Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed, he looks worthy of support at 7/4 in the first round three balls.

17:54 Russell Knox

The Scotsman finished tied 18th last year, eight shots behind the eventual winner, David Lingmerth, but currently lies fifth in the FedExCup standings and ranks first for greens in regulation on the PGA Tour. Admittedly, his putting and par five scoring statistics are less impressive but he finished in a tie for second in the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links two starts ago and, at 11/8, should be too strong for Jim Herman and Kevin Kisner.

18:05 Hideki Matsuyama

The 24-year-old Japanese earned his first win on the PGA Tour in the Memorial Tournament in 2014 and finished tied fifth last year, so clearly has an affinity for Muirfield Village. The quality of his ball striking and the accuracy of his iron play should stand him in good stead once again and, at 5/4, he can steal a march on Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson.

Selections: Memorial Tournament first round three balls, Bubba Watson (7/4 with bet365), Russell Knox (11/8), Hideki Matsuyama (5/4), 1-point win Treble

Most horses that are turned out quickly, under a penalty, are attempting to take advantage of a handicap mark that will almost certainly be higher, once reassessed, and two such horses form the basis of this week’s ‘Deadly’ Double at Hamilton on Wednesday.

In the Racing to School Handicap (3.05), Final Venture reappears, under a 6lb penalty, just two days after making all to win a similar race, over 6 furlongs, at Carlisle. The Equiano gelding won over course and distance on his penultimate start, so dropping back a furlong or so in distance clearly isn’t an issue and the drop back into 0-75 shouldn’t do his hat-trick attempt any harm either.

In the next race, the St. Andrews Ambulance Handicap (3.40), Millefiori also reappears two days after winning at Ayr and appears to have an outstanding chance of completing a hat-trick under a 6lb penalty. Formerly with Hugo Palmer, the Mastercraftsman filly has really found her form for Adrian Keatley in recent weeks, winning twice at Ayr in the space of five days, and cannot realistically be opposed.

Selections: Hamilton 3.05 Final Venture, Hamilton 3.40 Millefiori, 1-point Win Double