chased leaders, switched right to race alone in centre home straight, ridden 2f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden and led 1f out, ran on well, always doing enough
handy, pushed along well over 2f out, hampered behind front rank under 1f out, soon switched right and ridden, stayed on final 110 yards, not reach leaders
towards rear, shaken up and switched right to challenge over 1f out, headway to chase winner inside last, kept on towards finish
close up, pushed along and edged left 1f out, no extra inside last
dwelt, in rear, in touch, pushed along and not clear run behind leaders under 1f out, gradually faded
NonRunner
Alpine Sierra and Ayr Poet were both entered at Hamilton yesterday. Tommy G seeks an eighth course victory but Shannon Watts has ridden the veteran three times before and has yet to make the frame. Engles Rock has won twice over course and distance this year but MERRICOURT, a three-times winner on the track, may be better handicapped and got no sort of run when favourite over 7f here last month. Poet's Dawn has gone up 4lb for winning at Beverley but Brandon Wilkie claims 7lb and Shaladar should also be thereabouts.
Hartswood 6-1 (8-12) Led and set steady pace, quickened after halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly inside final 2f, last of 4, 8 1/2l behind Ghaly (9-7) at York 1m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Harswell Duke (IRE) 17-2 (9-6) Pulled hard and held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Glam De Vega (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Shaladar (FR) 14-1 (9-9) Dwelt in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 12 1/4l behind Eeetee (9-11) at York 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Poet's Dawn 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, switched left and ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Beverley 1m hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Outsmart (9-13) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Tommy G 8-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Good Birthday (10-2) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Merricourt (IRE) 11-4jfav (10-1) Awkward start, towards rear, pushed along well over 1f out, stayed on, never a danger, 4th of 8, 11l behind Judgment Call (9-4) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Engles Rock (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Waited with towards rear, headway out wide 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Retirement Beckons (8-13) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Alpine Sierra (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Chased leader until turning in, chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Engles Rock (9-8) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Ayr Poet 15-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders out wide and keen, led over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Flylikeaneagle (9-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Sep.