tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, regained lead inside last, just held on
tracked leaders, went 2nd well over 6f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
with winner, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
held up and keen, ridden over 1f out, never able to challenge
held up, effort over 2f out, no impression
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
Another stayers' contest this, for what is the best race on the card, and we think SAGA DE TERCEY can continue his fine form, to get the better of Chookie Hamilton and Bergonzi. Alan Swinbank's won this race twice in the last three years, and his gelding has made a decent start to his career, winning a bumper and then on his flat debut, before being beaten into second over a shorter trip when giving away a ton of weight. He's at the top end of the weights here, and faces some classy rivals, but is entitled to show further improvement. Chookie Hamilton narrowly missed out on a four-timer last time out, and has never won off this high a mark. Jamie Kyne claiming five pounds keeps him competitive, and Frederik Tylicki's claim keeps Bergonzi competitive too, and he has won previously off a higher rating than he's got now, and has only been raised two pounds for winning last time out . This is a drop down from the two miles he ran here that day, and that's a positive move seeing as he looked a certain winner a long way out before just hanging on at the line. Harry The Hawk was a winner last time out, also at a nice price, but his form is inconsistent and that was a lesser race over slightly shorter. It looks hugely competitive, but our preference is for Saga de Tercey.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 5-4fav (10-0) Held up in rear, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Toujours Souriante (7-12) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Saga de Tercey (FR) 5-4fav (10-7) Tracked winner, effort over 2f out, soon outpaced, kept on late, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Simonside (9-8) at Carlisle 1m 3f ldy hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Chookie Hamilton 9-2 (9-1) Proment, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Toujours Souriante (7-12) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Harry The Hawk 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, driven out, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul beating Omokoroa (8-10) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Bergonzi (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Led 3f out, chased leaders, led 3f out, kicked clear inside final 2f, just held on, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul beating Always Bold (9-11) by nk, 7 ran.
Black Dahlia 18-1 (8-6) Led, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 26l behind Plaisterer (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
That'll Do Nicely (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Held up in touch, chased leader halfway, led 3f out, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 9l behind Wee Charlie Castle (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Eijaaz (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 14l behind High Ambition (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Princess Rainbow (FR) 9-2 (8-11) Keen, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Dolly Penrose (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
