in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, switched left and some headway until one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, went left and raced far side alone, no impression
behind, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out until weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, kept on until no extra and headed inside final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden halfway, good headway to lead inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The pin comes down on Smokin Beau over stablemates Circuit Dancer and Handsome Cross, with Blazing Heights and Our Fugitive just two more to mention. Dandy Nicholls misses out on a stab at the Ayr Gold Cup this year, so his sprinters will be out in force on the rest of the three-day extravaganza at the Scottish track, and his Smokin Beau can start the ball rolling. The nine-year-old can boast a one-in-six strike rate during his career, including a Listed success at Goodwood for Nick Littmoden four years ago. That was off a mark of 110, but his current trainer has got him down to 84 which looks appealing as the stable bid to land this prize for the fourth time in 10 years. Circuit Dancer has also plummeted down the weights since joining Nicholls, and he must have claims after trying to overcome a wide draw and bad luck in running at Chester last Saturday. Handsome Cross finished ahead of him in second at Chester but was much better drawn and is not certain to maintain the placings. Blazing Heights was another not done any favours by the draw last week and has to merit a mention, while Our Fugitive can make his presence felt if getting out quickly to lead. Dandy is mob-handed, with Smokin Beau the pick.
Harry Up 16-1 (9-1) Led on stands' side, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 24, 2 1/2l behind Fantasy Believer (9-2) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Aug.
Smokin Beau 11-2 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 8l behind Cape Royal (8-11) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) hvy.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Caribbean Coral (9-5) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-3) Prominent, one pace final furlong, 7th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Pawan (8-5) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Oranmore Castle (IRE) 11-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders on far side, kept on same pace final 2f, 8th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Holbeck Ghyll (8-7) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Sea Salt 7-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, kept on, won at Newcastle 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Mujeak (8-9) by a hd, 7 ran.
Blazing Heights 12-1 (9-0) Started slowly, soon mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 11, 4l behind Caribbean Coral (9-5) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Behind, not clear run 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, staying on when not clear run inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Caribbean Coral (9-5) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Our Fugitive (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Led, drifted left and headed over 1f out, stayed on but soon no chance of winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Intriguing Glimpse (10-1) at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Matty Tun 11-2 (9-6) In touch, pulled hard, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cashel Mead (9-6) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Dizzy In The Head 7-1 (9-8) Raced alone far side, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 13l behind Ellens Academy (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Jul.
Wanchai Lad 14-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Smokin Beau (9-4) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Chinalea (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) In rear when hampered, 2f out, no danger after, 10th of 13, 6l behind Forest Dane (8-2) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Blackheath (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Prominent, keen hold early, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 12, 5l behind Paris Bell (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Trim Image 40-1 (8-2) Chased leaders until weakened halfway, last of 12, 15l behind Abientot (8-1) at Goodwood 5f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul '05.
Ptarmigan Ridge 5-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to challenge entering final furlong, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Smiddy Hill (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Ashes (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 9l behind Rudi's Pet (8-5) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Rothesay Dancer 10-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Smokin Beau (9-4) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Rare Breed 11-1 (9-6) Chased leader, lost place over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 5l behind Tender Process (8-3) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Orphan (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 7l behind Vanadium (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (4) gs in Aug.
Kings College Boy 5-1 (9-4) Dwelt and soon prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 1l behind Sir Nod (9-5) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Hypnosis 10-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Strensall (8-8) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
