tracked leader until ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led and set strong pace, ridden when headed entering final 2f, weakened tamely
keen tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
restless stalls slowly away behind, headway 7f out, headway and switched right approaching 2f out, soon led, edged right and pushed out final furlong
dwelt in touch, switched right and headway entering final 3f, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway when not much room approaching 2f out, soon chased winner, switched left and kept on one pace final furlong
GRAND DIAMOND's last three victories have been over this course and distance and he's perfectly capable of scoring again from this mark with Samantha Bell's claim a real bonus. He's handed the verdict to see off his stablemate Ronald Gee, who appeared to be suited by softer ground when runner-up at Musselburgh. Sherman McCoy won a seller at Catterick and though he's won off higher marks in the past he will need to step up on recent form as will Hunting Ground, whose two career victories have been on the all-weather. Kolonel Kirkup was surprisingly supported at Hamilton last time where the 1m1f trip looked much too short so last week's runner-up on that track Geanie Mac may prove more of a threat despite having just one victory in 34 starts to her credit.
Sherman McCoy 10-1 (9-8) Led early, prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 12l behind Pearl Castle (10-13) at York 1m 4f ladys hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Hunting Ground (USA) 11-2 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 8, 22l behind Longshadow (8-13) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Woodstock (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Corton Lad (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Ronald Gee (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Lysino (9-13) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Jun.
Gold Chain (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 6th of 9, 11l behind Kuwait Star (8-11) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 15-2 (8-4) Last to break, held up in rear, took keen hold, headway over 3f out, ridden and outpaced final 2f, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Eilean Mor (8-1) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Geanie Mac (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Aleksandar (9-11) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Kolonel Kirkup 3-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind Vosne Romanee (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
