held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace
held up behind, headway on inner over 2f out, kept on
led, headed over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, headway on outer 2f out, no impression
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced
chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, all out
tracked leaders, keen, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, hard ridden and every chance inside final furlong, just held, close home
slow away, always in rear
Hunting Country is appealingly handicapped and is taken to make his handicap debut a winning one. Mark Johnston's colt finished 5 lengths behind impressive winner Stock Market on debut at Hamilton but stepped up on that form when chasing home Military Power next time and was far from disgraced behind the useful Speed Ticket last time. Breeding suggests that he should have no problem seeing out this trip and he's expected to show improved form this evening. Stock Market, his Hamilton conqueror, has gone backwards since that victory and cannot be backed with confidence but Piper's Song is heading the right way but faces a tougher task from his revised mark than when winning at Beverley. Del Mar Sunset was behind that day and is opposable at present whilst Quince also looks best watched at present. Spanish Diva shaped better last time, will appreciate this longer trip and rates a danger as does Nesno who has reached the frame in similar contests the last twice but seems to find winning difficult. Gallego is another that needs things to drop just right but he's running well at present and would go close if getting the breaks but there are no such concerns for Hunting Country and he's selected.
Quince (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 8, 7l behind Hawaass (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Piper's Song (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Princess Cocoa (8-9) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Del Mar Sunset 5-2 (9-3) Took keen hold behind, effort over 2f out, never reached challenging position, last of 5, 5l behind Piper's Song (9-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden, headed over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Supercast (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Packers Hill (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Held up mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 15, 6l behind Wind Shuffle (8-8) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jun.
Stock Market (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, never dangerous, last of 8, 4 1/2l behind Steele Tango (9-9) at Sandown 1m 1f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Hunting Country 9-4fav (9-0) Led to 7f out, stayed prominent, driven to challenge over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Speed Ticket (9-12) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Nesno (USA) 5-1 (8-11) In touch, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, regained lead briefly inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Trouble Mountain (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Gallego 9-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up, headway to chase leaders 3f out, shaken up and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sceilin (8-9) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Mount Hermon (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 14, 12l behind Crete (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Spanish Diva 16-1 (9-6) Mid-division, lost place 4f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 2l behind Shanzu (8-11) at Windsor 1m fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-8) Slowly away, lost many lengths, behind, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 1l behind Charlie Kennet (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May '06.
