prominent, keen early, ridden to challenge over 3f out, soon lost place
held up, ridden and headway from over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, edged left and stayed on strongly towards finish, not reached winner
mid-division, lost place over 3f out
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon lost place
always behind
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
awkward start, soon held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on well under pressure
held up, weakened well over 2f out
prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, never nearer
prominent, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, behind until some late headway, never dangerous
soon led, pulled hard, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
The July Course returns for the year with a competitive card and, in the opener, Gracie's Gift is suggested ahead of Stargazer Jim and Rowan Lodge. A first-time visor brought an emphatic Hamilton win for Stargazer Jim last time and, despite effectively being 10-pounds higher in the ratings today, he can still go well with his stable being in good form. Gracie's Gift won at Yarmouth on soft going in October from a three pounds lower mark than today but, with him having run pretty well from around today's mark since - and given that any ease in the going could help his cause - he can go well tonight. Rowan Lodge makes a quick reappearance after a reasonable run behind a very well-handicapped filly at Yarmouth during the week and he might get into the money again. Colinca's Lad could be given a shout based on his Epsom run of last August, while Azreme's best recent efforts have come with ease in the going and, with his mark seeming fair, he could go well too, and Favouring is not out of it based on his best Turf efforts and he went well on soft in the early part of his racing career, and Silent Applause is lightly-raced enough to say keep an eye on the betting with regard to him. Once again, though, the selection is Gracie's Gift.
Stargazer Jim (FR) 9-2 (9-0) Made all, stayed on strongly, won at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Flylowflylong (8-12) by 5l, 9 ran.
Silent Applause 25-1 (8-4) Soon ridden in rear, moderate headway final furlong, 9th of 16, 8l behind Queen's Best (8-12) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Call My Bluff (FR) 9-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Guilded Warrior (10-0) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Magical Music 25-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 8th of 14, 5l behind Montpellier (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in May.
Gracie's Gift (IRE) 9-2fav (10-1) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Stamford Blue (9-11) at Salisbury 6f ldy rds hcp (5) gf in May.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Held up, ridden, headway approaching 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Froissee (7-8) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Favouring (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (8-10) In touch, led over 4f out, ridden along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Union Jack Jackson (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in May.
Azreme 8-1 (8-11) Mid division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 8l behind The Gaikwar (8-5) at Chepstow 1m hcap (5) gd in May.
