in touch, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
held up behind, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed out from over 1f out, never on terms
chased eaders, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
tracked leader and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on well
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f
held up mid-division, never nearer
always behind, tailed off over 2f out
held up behind, tailed off over 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, one pace from 2f out
Balwearie has not had much in hand when winning races at Thirsk and Ayr in his last two starts but a 3lb rise for the latest success is fair and, until he gets beat, Linda Perratt's gelding looks one to side with so is preferred to Millagros and Liberty Run. The last mentioned won his first handicap when successful at Brighton last month and has to be respected off his 5lb higher mark, while old campaigner Kid'z'play can be relied upon to run his usual good race but will probably find at least one too good. Julie Camacho's Royal Melbourne has run to a decent level of form of late but has been getting no respite from the handicapper. Platinum Charmer will need a career best effort to off his current mark and of more interest may be Formal Approval, who is less exposed than most of his rivals after just five starts and may be better than he has shown so far. Top weight Millagros is a consistent performer and should again be thereabouts but Balwearie is in form and gets the vote to complete a hat-trick.
Millagros (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 4th of 7, 13l behind Kylkenny (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 3f app hcp (5) gs in Sept.
Planters Punch (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, 13th of 16, 5l behind Press Express (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Royal Melbourne (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 1l behind Alfred The Great (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Kid'z'play (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Chased winner to 3f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 11l behind Nessen Dorma (10-0) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in May.
Highliner 33-1 (9-0) Pulled hard early, held up, outpaced over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Grey Plover (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn stk (5) sft in Oct.
Platinum Charmer (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on and no impression approaching final furlong, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Whispering Death (8-10) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Balwearie (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Ridden over 2f out, all out, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sept beating Pee Jay's Dream (8-5) by a shd, 16 ran.
Able Mind 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway when not clear run over 2f out, switched right entering final furlong, ridden and kept on, 5th of 16, 9l behind Cleaver (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Mr Majestic 25-1 (9-0) Dwelt and always behind, tailed off and eased final 2f, 7th of 8, well behind Grey Plover (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn stk (5) sft in Oct.
Lucky Largo (IRE) 100-1 (9-2) Ran wide on bend after 2f when prominent, chased leader 8f out until over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, 48l behind Tutu Much (8-9) at Musselburgh 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd in Oct.
Howards Dream (IRE) 100-1 (8-0) Keen and soon tracked winner, weakened 3f out, 14th of 16, 32l behind Balwearie (9-2) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sept.
Liberty Run (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Tracked leader until led over 2f out, hung right and left over 1f out, driven out, won at Brighton 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gs in Oct beating Terraquin (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Formal Approval (USA) 20-1 (8-1) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 16, 10l behind Alfred The Great (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
