slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong
keen, led until ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
with leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, switched left and headway 2f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
Hoh Mike can stamp his class here, with Aahayson, Prime Defender and City Of Tribes all having to raise their game to stop him. Hoh Mike was campaigned at a high level as a juvenile, his best efforts coming in defeat at Ascot when runner-up in both the Cornwallis and Norfolk Stakes, and although reportedly not spot on, was too good for his rivals on his return to action in Listed company at the Berkshire track at the start of this month. The second, Hinton Admiral declines a rematch, and it could be Aahayson that gives the selection most to do. Karl Burke's colt has won his last two starts at Hamilton, making all on both occasions, and although this is tougher than a handicap, he should give a good account. Barry Hills took this race three years ago with Moss Vale and saddles the Free Handicap winner Prime Defender who went out like a light when down the field in the 2,000 Guineas. His attentions are turned to sprinting, and he is another that should be prominent for a while at least. The progressive City Of Tribes overcame trouble in running to score over the minimum at Chester, and looks capable of collecting in this grade. Not today though, with Hoh Mike holding all the aces.
Hoh Mike (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (8-11) Held up in rear, headway and squeezed through over 1f out, chased leader final furlong, ran on to lead final 100 yards, won at Ascot 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gf beating Hinton Admiral (9-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Prime Defender 66-1 (9-0) Raced far side, held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 20th of 24, 16l behind Cockney Rebel (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
Aahayson 10-11fav (9-13) Made all, ridden 2f out and kept on well, won at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp (3) gd beating Valley of The Moon (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bazroy (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 18, 10l behind Sakhee's Secret (9-2) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Apr.
City Of Tribes (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up going well, good headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead last strides, won at Chester 5f 3yo hcp (2) gd beating Morinqua (8-2) by a shd, 8 ran.
Invincible Force (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 12l behind Munaddam (9-7) at Haydock 7f lst stk (1) gd.
Northern Fling 4-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway to chase winner, weakened inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Aahayson (8-12) at Hamilton 6f 3yo stk (3) gd.
Speed Dream (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and outpaced 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Absolutelyfabulous (9-4) at Cork 6f lst stk (1) frm.
Apache Dream (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 17l behind Blue Echo (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo lst fll (1) gs in Oct.
