slowly into stride, held up in touch, 2nd 5f out, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly, held on well near finish
held up, chased leaders on inside 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, every chance, always held final 100 yards
tracked leaders to 2f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace
held up 5th, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, not troubled leading pair
pulled hard, led and set steady pace, lost lead and in 4th 5f out, last over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, in lead 5f out, pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong
held up last, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, not troubled leaders
A very weak maiden in which we will plump for HAMMER over Celtic Gold and Regal Angel. The selection is now in the care of Richard Phillips having had a handful of starts for Marcus Tregoning. On his recent debut for the yard he shaped with some promise and it may be that he comes on for that first run in two months. Regal Angel was a winner of two Hereford bumpers when last seen over a year and a half ago and he obviously has ability. If the market speaks in his favour then he must be of interest, but it may be worth bearing in mind that it could be a pipe-opener for another assignment. Celtic Gold also has experience of some bumper runs and he has also shown ability in two all-weather runs. He ran well in defeat last time but because of the conditions of this race he has to concede weight away all round. Jolies Dee and Romantic Retreat need to improve on what they've shown so far, whilst Shavera and Rock Peak set a fair standard to aim at but with both rated in the mid-60's it is not too exciting a level. Hammer can nail his rivals.
Celtic Gold (USA) 22-1 (9-5) Held up in last, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Supaverdi (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec.
Hammer 12-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, in touch when short of room on inside, approaching 2f out, switched left, not quicken and no impression over 1f out, 5th of 9, 7l behind Wine 'n Dine (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Rock Peak (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) Led to 8f out, with leader, regained lead 4f out, headed 2f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 9th of 13, 8l behind Graylyn Ruby (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Regal Angel 6-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Jun '07 beating Skyler (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran (N.Hunt).
Jolies Dee 33-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up, ridden 4f out, dropped to last, and struggling final 3f, last of 9, 22l behind Planetary Motion (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Romantic Retreat 17-2 (8-12) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 13l behind Planetary Motion (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Shayera 7-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, never dangerous final 2f, 7th of 9, 18l behind Mission Control (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Dec.
