mid-division on inside, effort and switched left to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not quite pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, smooth headway on inside over 3f out, soon challenging, led well over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on strongly
always towards rear, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, tailed off
always towards rear, struggling over 4f out, tailed off
never travelling early stages and driven at various stages in rear, effort on wide outside and driven 3f out, no real impression when hung right and bumped inside final 2f
mid-division, effort on outside 3f out, no impression over 2f out
mid-division, driven over 2f out, soon weakened
started slowly, well in rear, effort on outer from 3f out, stayed on final 2f, no danger
held up in rear, last and struggling over 3f out, tailed off
led until inside final 3f, weakened over 1f out
rear of mid-division, headway on outside from 3f out, ridden and losing place when hung left inside final 3f
never travelled in rear, struggling over 4f out, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off
close up, outpaced and driven along over 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong
always towards rear, ridden and struggling over 4f out, tailed off
mid-division, headway on inside over 3f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, stayed on to press for 2nd, no impression on winner
never travelled and never reached beyond mid-division, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and close up 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
A wide open start to day two so it may just be prudent to side with trainer form and with Mark Johnston holding such a good record in handicaps at this meeting LADY ECLAIR gets the narrow vote ahead of Junior and Ambrose Princess. It won't be easy for the pick under top weight but she is clearly heading in the right direction so despite a mark rise for a win in a small field at Ffos Las she can land the four-timer for a yard that have had plenty of winners in the last fortnight. Junior returned to the level with some aplomb with a victory in the just as competitive Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting. David Pipe has made a habit of bagging these types of races this term so a big run is expected. There have been signs recently that Michael Scudamore has his string in good form and racing off bottom-weight Ambrose Princess could run a big race despite a 10lbs mark rise for an easy victory last time out. Frankie Dettori is an eye-catching jockey booking on Mickey Hammond's Hollins but that one looks up against it after a big weight hike so it's Lady Eclair who holds the verdict for a yard that loves this meeting.
Lady Eclair (IRE) 15-8 (9-7) Tracked leader, switched right to challenge over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead near finish, won at Ffos Las 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Excelsior Academy (8-11) by hd, 4 ran.
Junior 17-2 (9-0) Made all, ridden clear 4f out, ran on final furlong, unchallenged, won at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun beating Elyaadi (9-9) by 5l, 20 ran.
Ghimaar 7-2fav (9-5) Held up, took closer order over 7f out to be in touch, effort 3f out, 3rd when slightly hampered over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 20, 6l behind Junior (9-0) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun.
Enjoy The Moment 33-1 (9-5) Held up, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 20, 19l behind Junior (9-0) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun.
Hollins 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden on inside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 18, 10l behind Bergo (9-2) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Gee Dee Nen 22-1 (9-1) Mid-division, lost place 4f out, never in contention after, 7th of 15, 18l behind Swingkeel (9-2) at York 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Excelsior Academy 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon hard driven, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 4, hd behind Lady Eclair (9-7) at Ffos Las 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Theola (IRE) 10-3 (10-0) Held up in 5th, ridden 5f out, driven over 2f out, responded to pressure 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Simonside (9-5) by hd, 7 ran.
Markington 4-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out,ridden over 2f out, headway on outer approaching final furlong, led last 75 yards, held on well, won at Beverley 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Tillietudlem (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Curacao 5-2fav (9-3) Tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Akbabend (9-9) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Baddam 40-1 (9-2) Led 7f, tracked leader, every chance 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 12th of 18, 26l behind Bergo (9-2) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Acambo (GER) (8-11) 2nd of 16, 1l behind Vive la Reine (8-3) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m stk gd in Sep '05.
On Terms (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 12l behind Martyr (9-12) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Dream Champion 10-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Sep '06 beating My Petra (8-4) by hd, 7 ran.
Backbord (GER) 20-1 (9-5) In rear, pushed along over 6f out, no impression, 7th of 13, 20l behind Deauville Flyer (9-6) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
Mith Hill 8-1 (9-6) Led early, tracked clear leader, closed up 11f out, ridden along over 4f out, weakened 3f out, eased final 2f, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Markington (8-12) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Hearthstead Dream 20-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 32l behind Mon Champion (9-11) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp 60-100 gd.
Relative Strength (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Raced wide, held up, headway from 8f out to lead over 6f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, rallied inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Dovedon Angel (7-11) at Lingfield 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Mission Control (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, 4th of 5, 8l behind Moonbeam Dancer (8-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Ambrose Princess (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Led 1f, tracked leaders, reminders after 3f, progress to lead 5f out, ridden clear 2f out, heavly eased final furlong, comfortably, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Swordsman (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
