slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, edged left and no extra final furlong
held up in mid division, ridden halfway, no progress
slowly into stride, always behind
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden halfway, one paced final 2f
in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
mid division, weakened 2f out
mid division, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
A very good line-up for the valuable Tennents Scottish Stewards Cup, and Hidden Dragon might just provide the answer, although Funfair Wane, Halmahera and Simianna will all have their supporters. The very useful 2002 Ayr Gold Cup winner, Funfair Wane, sets the form benchmark for the contest and, even off topweight, he should go well. The selection has a 16lb pull (plus his rider's allowance, for finishing five-and-a-half lengths behind him at Beverley in May and, being lightly-raced, the selection might just have more to come. Hidden Dragon also has closely-matching form with Abbajabba and Halmahera on Thisk six-furlong form in April but, as suggested, the selection might just have that bit more scope. Halmahera, though, confirmed his wellbeing when running a very good race over seven furlongs at Chester on Saturday, and this return to six might see him in an even better light. Simianna has been showing up well lately, including when winning at Newmarket and has claims to be competing for prize money. River Falcon is eight pounds higher now than for a Redcar win, while Celtic Mill runs here under a six-pound penalty for a Pontefract win on July 8. He has won two of his last three but, with winning form at up to a mile, this six-furlong trip is not necessarily ideal for him. Undeterred has been a great servant to connections and is entitled to some respect off his current mark but others are preferred. Palanzo is likely to need his first run of the campaign. A smashing race, as you would be entitled to expect for the prize money, and one in which the vote goes to Hidden Dragon.