tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged left and led entering final furlong, kept on
close up, ridden and switched right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed entering final furlong, one pace
led, pushed along over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
in rear and outpaced, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon switched right, kept on inside final furlong
Nonrunner
MISTER HARDY should be hard to beat here and gets the vote over Ace Of Spies and Distant Sun. Richard Fahey's charge takes a steep drop in class having contested a class three handicap at Doncaster last time. He ran well that day too, showing a bit more life than he had previously, and a return to Hamilton shouldn't be a problem as he's one from one at the course. That victory came over today's trip too so despite the fact he's better at seven there's evidence to suggest conditions will be fine and he can make the most of the 12lbs and more he has in hand of the rest. Ace Of Spies is just about best of the rest at these weights and arrives on the back of a course and distance win. Another who likes Hamilton, this in-form sort is in receipt of weight all-round and should run well. Distant Sun needs respecting despite having plenty to do at the weights. The six-year-old had put together a solid sequence of handicap runs before deservedly winning here last time and the second horse has since franked the form, so with the step up in trip of no concern he's factored in to calculations. Cawdor is yet another course and distance winner who will appreciate every drop of rain as is Apache Ridge although Kevin Ryan's charge has a bit to find on the figures. Dickie Le Davoir is getting on in years but also likes racing at Hamilton and drops in grade so must be considered but in a race where most horses have proven form at the track the well-in Mister Hardy gets our vote.
Mister Hardy 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 16, 7l behind Day Of The Eagle (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Bonnie Prince Blue 14-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, raced stands side from over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression, 9th of 15, 7l behind Ailsa Craig (9-3) at Carlisle 1m hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Apache Ridge (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Feeling Fresh (9-0) at Carlisle 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Cawdor (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Caprio (9-10) at Hamilton 6f clm stks (6) gf in Jun.
Dickie Le Davoir 9-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 15l behind Cornus (9-5) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Ace of Spies (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun beating Botham (9-1) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Distant Sun (USA) 7-2fav (9-8) Chased leaders, picked up to lead 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, just held on, won at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Tournedos (8-6) by hd, 7 ran.
Desert Falls 40-1 (8-2) In touch on stands side rail, driven and lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 18l behind Red Cape (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
