held up behind far side group, never dangerous
slowly into stride, in touch far side group, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders stands side group on outer, weakened over 1f out
led far side group, ridden well over 1f out, weakening and headed by far side group towards finish, no chance with stands side group
in touch stands side group, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
chased leaders stands side group, no extra final furlong
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
behind stands side group, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear far side group, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
chased leaders far side group, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression on stands side group
towards rear stands side group, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear stands side group, never dangerous
chased leader far side group, ridden over 1f out, led that group towards finish, no chance with stands side group
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 1f out, kept on, no impression
made all stands side group, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly
The Scottish Stewards' Cup can go to the progressive Hawkeyethenoo although he faces stiff competition from the likes of Irish Heartbeat, Baldemar, Lowdown, Redford and Bonnie Charlie. Jim Goldie's charge has done nothing but improve all year, going down narrowly in the Epsom dash after a string of wins and then taking third in a competitive Curragh contest. Only 3lbs higher than when arguably unfortunate at Epsom, he appeals as a horse who remains well enough handicapped and can beat Irish Heartbeat. Richard Fahey took this race last year and the Spring Mile winner looks the pick of his pair. He travelled supremely well that day, suggesting there'd be prizes to be won with him over seven or, indeed, the stiff six he faces here, so if the ground remains on the slower side of good he'd look a live threat. The yard's other runner Baldemar can't be ruled out but on the evidence of his last two runs a little help from the assessor wouldn't go amiss, so perhaps Lowdown is a bigger threat. This horse is technically a pound wrong at the weights but sneaks in off bottom weight, won well over this trip last time and is drawn to attack. His stablemate Thebes is well enough handicapped but had little excuse at Windsor last time so Redford is next on the list. Formerly with Michael Bell, he's a horse who has to be labelled disappointing but a stiff six should suit perfectly, so with his effort at Ascot excused on account of quick ground and Amy Ryan looking increasingly like value for her claims her father's recruit is a threat. Bonnie Charlie will do well to carry top-weight to victory but he drops in class and is another for whom conditions will suit. Tajneed is fast and likes cut, Baby Strange arrives with confidence boosted and the form of his last win has been strongly boosted while Oldjoesaid hasn't been with new connections long and should be found a race, but our preference in the feature is for Hawkeyethenoo who deserves to win something like this.
Bonnie Charlie 4-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in touch, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Barney McGrew (9-3) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Redford (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up behind stands side, outpaced 2f out, never a factor, 19th of 27, 13l behind Laddies Poker Two (8-11) at Royal Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf in Jun.
Tajneed (IRE) 6-1fav (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Baby Strange (9-4) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Enderby Spirit (GR) 20-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden and effort 2f out, hung left 1f out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Genki (8-11) at Haydock 6f cond Stakes (2) gf.
Thebes 6-1fav (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 14th of 16, 8l behind Parisian Pyramid (8-13) at Windsor 6f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Damika (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, headway to press leaders and every chance from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Ancient Cross (9-0) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Irish Heartbeat (IRE) 6-1fav (8-9) Held up in rear, not clear run and switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no danger, 10th of 23, 6l behind Brunston (8-2) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Captain Ramius (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Close up, ridden over 1f out, no impression on leaders when not much room and eased up well inside final furlong, 12th of 18, 5l behind Baby Strange (9-4) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Esoterica (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Bumped and hampered start, held up, headway over 2f out, chance when sqeezeed against stands side rail and hampered 1f out, rallied towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Ancient Cross (9-0) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Hawkeyethenoo (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Chased leaders on far side, ridden from 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 25, 6l behind Invincible Ash (9-3) at Curragh 6f hcp gf in Jun.
Baldemar 17-2 (9-11) Chased leaders center, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 11th of 13, 25l behind Jonny Mudball (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Baby Strange 33-1 (9-4) Held up, good headway on outside over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun beating Jonny Mudball (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 18 ran.
Oldjoesaid 14-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, weakened from halfway, 16th of 25, 18l behind Invincible Ash (9-3) at Curragh 6f hcp gf in Jun.
Esprit de Midas 20-1 (9-13) Led, pushed along and headed over 1f out, soon weakened and short of room, last of 9, 11l behind Indian Skipper (8-11) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
The Nifty Fox 8-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 10l behind Captain Dunne (9-9) at Newcastle 5f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Lowdown (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Nubar Boy (8-6) by 1l, 9 ran.
