mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, headway under pressure 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Hula Ballew can prove the answer here, with Redwood Rocks, Merlins Profit and The Bonus King all respected. This is another hard one to call, but the narrow vote goes to Hula Ballew who bids to go one better than when second in this race 12 months ago. The Michael Dods-trained mare has a good record round here, having won twice and been placed three times from five visits, so it is hard to see her not being in the shake-up. She showed her well being by scoring over the course and distance a fortnight ago, overcoming trouble at the start to eventually win comfortably, breaking the course record in the process. A four-pound rise does not look harsh given the way that she has been performing all season, and as long as they go a decent gallop, she should make a bold bid to follow up. Redwood Rocks did not beat much at Redcar last time but is well handicapped at present, and Musselburgh winner Merlins Profit may be a big danger with Jamie Spencer booked to ride. The Bonus King won the Woodcote Stakes as a juvenile and was gaining his first success since when scoring over seven furlongs here last time. The step up in trip will help his cause and he is well treated so makes some appeal as well, but Hula Ballew can continue her love affair with Carlise by landing the spoils.
Compton Eclipse 8-1 (9-6) Behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Stellite (8-4) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Redwood Rocks (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Raced alone towards far side, made all, hung right from over 2f out, soon hard ridden, stayed on, won at Redcar 7f stk 0-70 (5) frm in Jun beating Efidium (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Hansomelle (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Dream Tonic (9-4) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
The Bonus King 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Carlisle 7f stk 0-65 (5) gf in Aug beating Flying Edge (9-0) by a hd, 8 ran.
Hula Ballew 7-2jt-fav (9-7) Carried left start, mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead final furlong, stayed on, won at Carlisle 1m fll hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Beauty of Dreams (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Merlins Profit 7-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead inside last and kept on, won at Musselburgh 1m hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Seattle Robber (8-13) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Pending (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Compton Eclipse (9-6) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Daring Affair 9-4 (9-7) Prominent, headway to lead well over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, just held on, won at W'hampton 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (E) fbs in May '04 beating Keshya (9-1) by a hd, 5 ran.
