tracked leader, switched right to challenge over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead near finish
led until well over 1f out, soon under pressure, eased inside final furlong
chased leaders, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon hard driven, headed and no extra close home
tracked leader, pushed along over 4f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon weakened, eased approaching final furlong
Nonrunner
LADY ECLAIR has gone from strength to strength since flopping in May and it may be best to concentrate on her and Lady Hestia in a competitive handicap although My Mate Max and Cool Strike must also enter calculations. The handicapper may well be catching up with Lady Eclair who has to contend with a 5lb rise for a narrow win at Hamilton but it's possible that this race is fractionally less competitive and she won't go down without a fight. Lady Hestia goes well fresh so the absence since her last win is of no concern and she is the type to keep ahead of the handicapper as she only ever just seems to do enough to win but she's taking on a better class of animal here and may just come up short if it comes down to a battle with Lady Eclair. My Mate Max looks likely to have to settle for a minor role in this company but it could be dangerous to rule out Cool Strike given that he was good enough to get the better of Manyriverstocross twelve months ago but he has been frustrating this season and we are sweet on Lady Eclair.
Lady Eclair (IRE) 10-3 (9-6) Tracked leading pair on inside, went 2nd travelling well 4f out, challenged 2f out, soon narrow lead, stayed on gamely final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Plymouth Rock (9-5) by hd, 9 ran.
Cool Strike (UAE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, under pressure over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 13l behind Dirar (9-7) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Excelsior Academy 20-1 (8-10) In rear, pushed along 5f out, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug beating Citizenship (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Lady Hestia (USA) 11-10fav (9-3) Made all, 3 lengths clear 3f out, pushed along and kept on strongly final 2f, unchallenged, won at Bath 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in May beating Ragdollianna (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Raincoat 12-1 (9-7) Always behind, eased, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Dayia (8-10) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
My Mate Max 5-2 (9-4) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, one pace and beaten over 1f out, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Kazbow (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
