close up, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one paced when slightly hampered over 1f out
slowly away, never on terms
tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up, never a threat
slowly into stride, behind
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Despite slight concerns that he may be in the grip of the handicapper, there are solid grounds for expecting a big run from ZAPLAMATION and he's narrowly awarded the vote ahead of Al Wasef and Custard Cream Kid. Our selection ran well to take second at Pontefract after having landed a hat-trick of wins, including one at Beverley, so our hope is he relishes returning to Hamilton. He was third here two starts ago off 67 when not getting the clearest of passages and this one pound higher mark shouldn't prevent another good effort; at the likely prices he's worth siding with. Al Wasef remains a maiden but races here off a career low mark and took a closing third on his return. That effort suggested this greater emphasis on stamina would serve him well and Jim Goldie has his runners in reasonable form, so he should go close to breaking his maiden tag. Custard Cream Kid is another to consider having been beaten under two lengths last time. He relishes these conditions and has been generously dropped a pound, but like Al Wasef remains a maiden and therefore cannot be backed with total confidence. Anthemion is a 13-year-old racing from out of the handicap but two of his six career wins have come over course and distance and he ran well when second here last time so it's not impossible to imagine him winning, although in all likelihood he'll have to settle for minor honours along with Saving Grace, a filly who looks in need of help from the assessor judging by her most recent efforts. Like the first, the last race isn't the strongest but Zaplamation should go close to landing his fifth career win.
Zaplamation (IRE) 15-2 (8-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Brushing (8-8) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Sarwin (USA) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, weakened 3f out, 10th of 12, 15l behind Night Lily (9-1) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Al Wasef (USA) 9-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway on inner over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Sports Casual (8-0) at Ayr 1m 1f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Green Agenda 6-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 7, 12l behind Justonefortheroad (9-4) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Applaude 11-2 (9-7) Keen in touch, joined winner going well over 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Timocracy (9-12) at Leicester 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf in May.
Saving Grace 9-2 (8-1) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 5l behind Light Dubai (9-1) at Ayr 1m fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Custard Cream Kid (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, not clear run and switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Chicamia (7-13) at Carlisle 1m app hcp (6) gf in May.
Tiger King (GER) 16-1 (8-13) Led, headed 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 17l behind Eijaaz (9-1) at Catterick 1m 6f hcap (5) hvy in Nov '08.
Anthemion (IRE) 66-1 (8-2) Led, headed 1f out, soon ridden, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Crocodile Bay (8-8) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Casino Night 33-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind George Adamson (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
