Retirement Beckons beat French Flyer, MILLIE THE MINX (NAP) and Blue Whisper over a slightly shorter trip here last month before running third over 7f at Ayr four days later. But Dianne Sayer’s mare gets soft ground for the first time on the Flat having shown a liking for the surface over hurdles and she may come out on top this time ahead of stablemate My Valentino, who beat Poyle George Two here last time. Cliff Bay has placed twice since scoring at Carlisle in June and should be thereabouts again while Rosemay is back in form and on a hat-trick after victories here and at Ayr.
Cache Queen (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Pushed along briefly early, soon mid-division, headway and effort from under 3f out, no extra and one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 14, 13l behind Aasleagh Fawn (8-9) at Bellewstown 1m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
Zealous (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to dispute 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, lost place final 110 yards, 5th of 14, 10l behind King And Queen (8-7) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Don't Be Surprised 12-1 (9-10) Close up, ridden when hampered and snatched up over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Bob's Girl (9-1) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Bobby Jean (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, almost on terms after 5f, ran wide off bend after 6f, 3rd 4f out, came wide into straight and lost place, ridden and weakened in rear over 2f out, last of 6, 32 3/4l behind Max Dynamite (11-0) at Killarney 1m 6f Good - Yielding in Jul.
The Mekon 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway on inside and hung left well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Bee Machine (8-11) at Thirsk 7f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Cliff Bay (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Kodimoor (9-0) at Ayr 7f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Rosemay (FR) 13-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on, won at Ayr 1m hcp (6) gs in Jul beating Betty Grable (8-10) by nk, 11 ran.
Retirement Beckons 3-1fav (8-13) Mid-division, driven and headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not quite reach leaders, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Eleuthera (9-5) at Ayr 7f hcp (6) gs in Jul.
Transpennine Gold 33-1 (9-2) In touch, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Mount Ararat (10-0) at Carlisle 1m 1f stks (5) gs in Jun.
French Flyer (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Retirement Beckons (8-12) at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Millie The Minx (IRE) Evensfav (10-13) Chased leader, stumbled bend after 4 out, not fluent next, lost 2nd after 2 out, ridden in dispute of 4 lengths 3rd when left 2nd last, no impression on winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Green Or Black (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Doon Star 20-1 (8-4) Raced keenly, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Rosemay (8-6) at Ayr 1m hcp (6) gs in Jul.
Blue Whisper 5-1 (9-2) Held up behind, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Retirement Beckons (8-12) at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Poyle George Two 3-1fav (9-2) In touch, driven and lost place over 3f out, ridden 2f out, switched outside and kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind My Valentino (8-12) at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gd in Jul.
My Valentino (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway under pressure on outside 3f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, edged left, stayed on well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gd in Jul beating Be Bold (9-4) by nk, 12 ran.
