tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 1f out until headed and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, headway over 4f out to chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, smooth headway until ridden over 1f out, no extra
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon one pace
led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
This should concern those at the top of the weights, with preference for Ballyhurry over Burnley Al, Sawwaah and Desert Lightning. Ballyhurry obviously likes it round here, having won five times during his career, and on latest evidence there could be another success in the offing from Jim Goldie's charge. The nine-year-old has won in much better company in the past, and although only third behind Burnley Al in the claimer won by Fremen here six days ago, he can meet Richard Fahey's challenger on 7lb better terms for the three-lengths that separated them, and that should be more than enough for him to turn the tables. Sawwaah cannot be ruled out either, but he does tend to come late and will need the race to pan out for him, while Desert Lightning was only beaten a short-head in a similar race here the time before last so cannot be ruled out entirely, and nor can Son Of Thunder with his stable in good form. However, having weighed up the prospects of the leading contenders, we return to Ballyhurry as the answer.
Burnley Al (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Chief Scout (10-0) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Sawwaah (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 4f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer, 5th of 12, 8l behind Le Chiffre (8-8) at W'hampton 7f app clm (6) pol.
Ballyhurry (USA) 7-2 (9-10) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Fremen (9-11) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (5) gd.
Desert Lightning (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, 9l behind Ulysees (10-1) at Hamilton 1m sll (5) gf in Jun.
My Best Secret 14-1 (10-11) Led, not fluent 1st, soon headed, tracked leader, weakened approaching 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Dalkeys Lad (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in May, 11 ran (N.Hunt).
Linden's Lady 13-2 (9-6) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 8l behind Pay Time (8-10) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Mandarin Grand (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 21l behind River Logic (8-12) at Carlisle 1m 3yo sll (6) gf.