held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders on inside over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards and lost 2nd towards finish
raced keenly in touch on outside, ridden and lost touch over 3f out, weakened quickly, eased over 1f out, tailed off
led until headed over 3f out, regained lead over 1f out, soon headed, one pace final furlong
raced keenly in touch, ridden along 3f out, soon lost place, weakened from 2f out
close up, ridden and lost touch over 3f out, soon tailed off
started slowly, held up last, headway over 2f out, quicken to lead on outside 1f out, ran on and asserted inside final furlong, driven out
tracked leader to 5f out, stayed prominent, ridden over 4f out, slightly outpaced 3f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, took 2nd close home
steadied start, pulled hard, tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led over 3f out, 2nd over 1f out, soon one pace
This looks to chiefly concern HAMMER, One Zero and Dusk and the vote goes to the first-named. Richard Phillips is not noted for training flat race winners but the four-year-old Hammer has performed with credit in seven starts to date on the level, including when going close over course and distance in a similar contest last time. Confidence should be nicely built now despite that defeat and the gelding can go one better today. Dusk has had plenty of chances and keeps finding a couple too good. He really needs a drop in the weights to win a handicap as a maiden win might just be beyond him. One Zero is an interesting British debutant for the Quinlan yard and if he handles the surface he would have to have a chance judged on his Irish form. Regal Angel won a couple of bumpers and she did well on her course and distance debut last time. Money for her would be interesting but without that knowledge we¿ll take Hammer to nail them.
Dusk 8-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, going well over 3f out, ridden entering final 2f, soon beaten, 4th of 9, 4l behind Amron Hill (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Flanders Fields (9-2) Towards rear on outside, pushed along over 1f out, stayed on but never dangerous, 6th of 16, 6l behind Triangular (9-2) at Compiegne 1m 4f stk in May.
Hammer 6-4fav (9-3) Held up, chased leaders on inside 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, every chance, always held final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, nk behind Celtic Gold (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
Lucky Dancer 2-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, pushed along on outside 3f out, soon one pace and no impression, 6th of 9, 9l behind Planetary Motion (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Lukatara (USA) 80-1 (9-3) Always behind, last of 11, 24l behind Fosool (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Quite A Fella (USA) 6-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and stayed on final 3f, never troubled leaders, 6th of 15, 14l behind Mail de Bievre (10-9) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec (N.Hunt).
Regal Angel 9-2 (9-2) Held up 5th, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, not troubled leading pair, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Celtic Gold (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
One Zero (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Prominent, 4th halfway, 3rd over 4f out, ridden 3f out, no extra approaching straight, 6th of 14, 13l behind Via Galilei (9-5) at Wexford 1m 4f mdn stk gs in Aug.
Little Roxy (IRE) Dilshaan filly out of Brunswick.
