in touch, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
raced alone stands side, no chance with far side from over 1f out
behind, ridden halfway, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
prominent, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, kept on
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
Nonrunner
Franksalot gets the nod here ahead of Cross Of Lorraine, Divine Spirit and Night In. Franksalot comes here on a roll and on good terms with life. He can go well in his hat-trick bid as he ran well from today's mark last season. Throw The Dice, who was visored for the first time in the race, and Cross Of Lorraine are closely weighted with him based on recent Hamilton form. Welcome Approach cannot be ruled out based on his 2006 best and a recent run should have cleared out the cobwebs. Falmassim has yet to build on a fair Haydock run last summer, Maison Dieu is lightly raced enough to be given thought from his rating, John Keats has nosedived in the ratings following last summer's good efforts, while Divine Spirit was noted making late gains at Nottingham last time and, based on last season's best efforts, can go well over today's longer trip. A return to his best 2006 form would see Night In well-handicapped, while Local Poet could be considered if managing to transfer his best recent all-weather efforts to Turf. Highland Song is now rated seven pounds below his course five furlong win last summer, while a repeat of her narrow Nottingham defeat last time would give Glamaraazi a solid shout. Memphis Man is another that would hold a decent chance based on his best 2006 form but, for the selection, we will stick with Franksalot.
Franksalot (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) In touch, headway to chase leaders halfway, hard ridden inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Throw The Dice (9-0) by a nk, 11 ran.
Cross of Lorraine (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway and switched right over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Franksalot (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Mozakhraf (USA) 9-1 (8-6) Prominent until weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 13, 7l behind Cornus (8-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Divine Spirit 7-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Raccoon (8-13) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Throw The Dice 5-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Franksalot (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Glamaraazi (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Led for 1f, ridden to lead again well over 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 9, hd behind Slipasearcher (8-7) at Nottingham 6f fll hcp (5) gf.
Maison Dieu 6-1 (8-7) Towards rear, switched right and good headway over 1f out to chase leaders inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Winthorpe (8-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Muara 5-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 9, 6l behind Slipasearcher (8-7) at Nottingham 6f fll hcp (5) gf.
