tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final strides
in rear, some headway over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
dwelt, in rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, switched to outer over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly to lead final strides
always in rear
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kepy on one pace
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
steadied start, in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, soon every chance, no impression inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly
always in rear
mid-division, wide into straight 2f out, headway soon after, ridden and stayed on final furlong
always in rear
The Happy Hammer is tremendously consistent for one at this level and so you can probably set your clock by another good performance from the gelding, who won over this trip at Wolverhampton last time and now has to find improvement to the tune of 2lb. However, it does not take a great leap of faith to see SAFWAAN come good on what is only his second handicap start. Clearly, support for Willie Musson's charge would be a very positive sign, but he is unexposed, gets the trip and has been dropped a handy 3lb, so we could see a totally different performance today. Pipers Piping tries to follow up a Wolverhampton success and may need a career best to do so, while this will be tougher than the claimer won here last time out by Fol Liam.
Perfect Ch'i (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 14l behind Inpursuitoffreedom (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Chilli Green 25-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Whispering Spirit (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol in Oct.
Picansort 15-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 10l behind Cardinal (9-2) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Pipers Piping (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, switched left when close 3rd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-62 (6) pol beating Collect Art (9-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Scottish Glen 9-2fav (9-0) Held up in rear, came very wide straight, strong run on outside final furlong, finished well to 3rd close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Elhamri (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Safwaan 9-2 (8-13) Pushed along in rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 11l behind Ginger Grey (8-12) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Super Frank (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Raced wide, chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Kilburn (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Kipchak (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 11, 6l behind Victorian Bounty (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
The Happy Hammer (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, edged left close home, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct beating Gazboolou (8-12) by nk, 11 ran.
Rubenstar (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 11, 7l behind The Happy Hammer (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Bookiesindex Girl (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Took keen hold on the way to start, led, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 40l behind Master Mylo (9-7) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jul.
Ivory Lace 12-1 (9-2) Held up in mid division, headway centre over 2f out, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Rosedale (9-1) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Fol Liam 12-1 (8-0) Soon close up from wide draw, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in Oct beating Faited To Pretend (8-7) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Woolston Ferry (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Settled in mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Al Aqabah (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
