led until headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up midfield, ridden over 2f out, soon behind
held up, struggling 3f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, effort over 2f out, slightly outpaced, kept on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 2f out, hard ridden and headed well inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, in touch, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway and effort over 1f out, not quicken, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, all out
steady start, in rear, good headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, gaining towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
A fascinating line-up for the Listed Hackwood Stakes and we will take a chance on Continent coming back to form, so he gets the selection but Cartography, Pastoral Pursuits, So Will I, Mac Love and Nights Cross are among a number that have also to be given chances. The selection won the July Cup in 2002 and, while he has failed to quite scale those heights since, he ran better than his finishing position suggested last time in this year's July Cup after having shown a good deal of promise on his seasonal return. Also, Kieren Fallon is an eyecatching booking, which adds some confidence to our feelings. Cartography comes into things courtesy of a very good third in the Jersey Stakes last time and he ought to be effective at this trip, while So Will I, Mac Love and Nights Cross finished fairly close together in a Listed course and distance race in May. So Will I has to carry a penalty for that win and Nights Cross no seems to have more of a chance at the weights. Iqte Saab probably has some improvement in him but he does have six-and-a-half lengths to find with Cartography on Newmarket May form so the lightly-raced Pastoral Pursuits is one that could well pose a problem to the selection, while The Kiddykid is having a very good season but has a Group 3 penalty to carry which will make things tricky for him. Once again, then, in a fascinating race, the vote goes to Continent.