slowly into stride, last early, headway entering final furlong, ran on to lead post
held up, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
went right start, tracked leaders, led and joined halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed post
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, joined leader halfway, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
with leaders until ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
went right start, in rear, ran on final furlong, never nearer
close up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up, never a factor
always in rear
led, headed halfway, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, never a factor
chased leaders, switched left 2f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride and switched left, always in rear
Simon Walker can repeat his success in this race last year by riding EL DECECY to victory ahead of Karate Queen, Guest Connections and Two Turtle Doves. John Balding's charge won four sellers in 2009 and is now 20lbs below his last winning handicap mark. His last three winning efforts have come in the cheek-pieces that are reapplied today and despite the fact he's surely better over further he has won over this trip and Hamilton's stiff finish will play to his strengths. Under the best jockey in the race, he's surely the one to beat. Karate Queen may prove the main threat to our pick, arriving on the back of a slightly unlucky fourth at Redcar. That was in a weak contest and she remains a maiden after 14 starts, but that hampered run last time may have been a career best and she won't need to improve much to take a hand in the finish. Guest Connections is a four-time course winner who is back down to his last winning mark of 60 so although recent efforts have been laboured he does have his conditions and could improve, whilst Two Turtle Doves has also gone well here before and need only return to her penultimate second to Fuzzy Cat to go very close in this weaker affair. Of the rest Avoncreek could sneak a place despite racing from out of the weights as his Nottingham fifth last time appears fair form for the grade and Officer Mor has been shaping as though a step back to six will suit. This a low-key start to the meeting and it'd be unwise to get carried away with anything, but El Dececy does look to have rock solid claims.
Ivestar (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Started slowly, behind, some late headway, no danger, 8th of 13, 7l behind Green Poppy (9-13) at Redcar 6f am mdn hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Guest Connections 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, early reminder, weakened and hung right over 2f out, 9th of 10, 8l behind King Of Eden (8-13) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
El Dececy (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 7l behind King Of Eden (8-11) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Two Turtle Doves (IRE) 11-2 (8-7) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 10l behind King Of Eden (8-11) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Final Salute 25-1 (9-4) Always behind, 12th of 13, 20l behind Cheers For Thea (9-4) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Calley Ho 20-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 14th of 15, 44l behind Shared Moment (8-4) at Nottingham 1m 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf in Jul.
Dolly Royal (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Behind, driven over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 10, 8l behind Gracie's Gift (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Hosanna 11-2 (8-4) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 8l behind Mr Lu (9-3) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Glenluji 9-1 (8-1) Held up in rear, effort on inside over 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 6l behind Mr Lu (9-3) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Quicks The Word 40-1 (8-12) Led 1f, with leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 15, 15l behind Averoo (9-3) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Aug.
Officer Mor (USA) 5-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 7th of 8, 8l behind Lake Chini (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Karate Queen 25-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, behind, headway towards far side 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Green Poppy (9-13) at Redcar 6f am mdn hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Avoncreek 33-1 (7-13) Chased leaders on outside, ridden and effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, no impression, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Exceedingly Good (8-3) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Merlins Dreams 125-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride and soon mid-division, ridden over 4f out, headway and every chance over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 28l behind Ballyhurry (10-1) at Hamilton 1m sell stks (6) gf in Jun '07.
Lily Jicaro (IRE) 80-1 (8-1) Always behind, 14th of 18, 24l behind Liberty Trail (9-1) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Obe One 40-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 15l behind Finsbury (9-0) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
