took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in last, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon switched right, stayed on
tracked leaders, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on
led over 2f, tracked leader, led again over 2f out, soon driven, headed entering final furlong, unable to quicken
ridden along and prominent, led over 5f out, driven over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
If Postman returns to the pick of his form then he cannot be ruled out of calculations, whilst Liteup My World comes here after a decent win, but our vote goes to KING'S COUNSEL. Although he has generally turned out over much further in trip, he looked very good over 9f last time when quickening well at Redcar to beat Avitus by three lengths. The pedigree also suggests that this trip is not ideal with the main danger likely to come from Liteup My World who showed considerable improvement to grab a first victory on the all-weather at Southwell in his last outing. However, on the turf he did not show much potential last year and we choose to oppose him today. Postman did not show that he had come on after a break but if rediscovering the best of his ability has a chance. El Dececy was a close second at Hamilton last time and has a reasonable record over the years. He is another who is in contention in this close match up. Our tentative selection is King's Counsel.
Postman 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, hung left over 4f out, headway on outer over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 6th of 13, 11l behind Shadowtime (9-0) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Liteup My World (USA) 3-1fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden clear when edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Tomintoul Star (8-12) by 4l, 9 ran.
Talk of Saafend (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, last of 5, 10l behind Templetuohy Max (9-1) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Daring Dream (GER) 11-8fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, switched left 2f out, soon headway, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Crocodile Bay (8-8) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
El Dececy (USA) Evensfav (11-0) Went right start, tracked leaders, led and joined halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 14, nk behind Ivestar (10-7) at Hamilton 6f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
King's Counsel (IRE) 4-1fav (8-4) Soon pushed along to lead, made rest, clear 5f out, in command from 2f out, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Redcar 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Avitus (8-7) by 3l, 10 ran.
