stumbled start, behind, went 3rd and effort over 1f out, ridden and not quicken inside final furlong
chased leading pair, went 2nd inside final 2f, effort and every chance entering final furlong, well held final 110 yards
with winner, edged left and lost place inside final 2f, soon ridden, no chance with leaders final furlong
Bryan Smart won this last year with an odds-on chance but Free Zone, a winner at Thirsk on his reappearance before a moderate effort at Hamilton, will cause an upset if he beats BALLESTEROS. Brian Meehan's charge is well clear on official ratings which is hardly surprising given his recent victories in very tough handicaps at Sandown and Chester and this should prove a stepping stone to better things. Dam Beautiful was behind the selection at Chester but performed with credit and will be better suited by this much stiffer track. He looks the main threat as El McGlynn was beaten in a seller here last month.
Ballesteros 11-8fav (9-2) Taken to post early, mid-division, headway over 1f out, brought to stand side and led inside final furlong, ridden an ran on, won at Chester 5f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May beating Sonko (8-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Dam Beautiful 4-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden halfway, switched left and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 5l behind Ballesteros (9-2) at Chester 5f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Free Zone 13-8fav (9-0) With leaders, ;ed approaching final furlong, soon headed, ridden and one pace, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Dam Beautiful (8-6) at Hamilton 5f con stks (3) gs in May.
El Mcglynn (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Made In The Shade (8-3) at Beverley 5f 3yo sll (6) gd in May.
