raced stand side, in touch, shaken up over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced stand side, chased winner, every chance 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
raced far side, in touch, ridden to go 2nd in that group over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
raced stand side, held up, raced keenly, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten
raced far side, chased leaders 3f, no chance when eased over 1f out
raced far side, held up, headway under pressure well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
raced stand side, made all, ridden well over 1f out, held on well inside final furlong
raced stand side, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced stand side, held up, shaken up 2f out, never dangerous
raced stand side, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, chased winner well inside final furlong, ran on
raced far side, soon led that group, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
raced far side, led that group over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not quite on terms with stand side
slowly into stride, raced far side, behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, raced far side, always behind
raced far side, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
An implausibly difficult handicap that we make a speculative punt about DASH BACK with Argentine and Distant Sun likely to have their supporters. The selection had won at Cork earlier in the season and as a tight track, it requires plenty of ability to win there. A couple of recent efforts have been disappointing but the fact that connections have elected to come here and take on largely out of sorts handicappers looks interesting. Argentine is something of a Hamilton specialist. He is a credit to his connections but this sixth furlong may just be against him. Distant Sun makes a seasonal reappearance. He has won with give in the ground so the market has to be noted. Tyfos has won at Yarmouth earlier in the season. Dazzling Bay was rated in the 90s a few seasons ago. His yard are having a fair campaign at present. Hotham has dropped significantly in the weights and ran his best race of the season at Musselburgh earlier in the month. Woodsley House beat Avontuur when the pair met at this time of the year last year. The latter is beginning to look in the grip of the handicapper at present. Finsbury was well punted ahead of his latest engagement at Hamilton but he missed the target on that day and hasn't been seen for some time. We Have A Dream makes a very long journey North. A tough contest that can go to Dash Back.
Argentine (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind Crimea (9-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Tyfos 3-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, came stands side and stayed tight to rail over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Epsom Downs 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs beating Fantasy Believer (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Dash Back (USA) 25-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway to 7th 2f out, ridden and no extra over 1f out, weakened, 14th of 15, 12l behind Headford View (9-2) at Curragh 7f gd in Jun.
Distant Sun (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Flying Bantam (8-6) at Ayr 7f hcp (4) gf in Jun '08.
Dazzling Bay 9-1 (8-8) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Fishforcompliments (9-4) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Woodsley House (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Raced wide, held up, behind when slipped and nearly came down entering straight over 2f out, soon eased, last of 9, 28l behind Bold Marc (9-10) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
We Have A Dream 7-2 (9-1) Led, came stands side over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Tyfos (9-7) at Epsom Downs 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Blown It (USA) 12-1 (9-9) Held up, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Secret Venue (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
John Keats 3-1fav (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd final 100 yards, not pace to get to winner, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Sea Rover (8-11) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
Hotham 10-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Secret Venue (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Tadalavil 40-1 (8-10) In touch, effort halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 17l behind Crimea (9-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Avontuur (FR) 6-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Tangerine Trees (9-5) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Finsbury 7-2fav (11-6) Held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Argentine (11-8) at Hamilton 6f am hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Regal Royale 16-1 (8-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 12, well behind Loose Caboose (8-1) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Hosanna 33-1 (8-0) Steadied start, always in rear, well behind final 3f, last of 11, 34l behind Royal Destination (9-11) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
