led, ridden and hung right from over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under strong pressure
in rear, pushed along after 2f, ridden and some headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden after 2f, some headway over 1f out, never trouble leaders
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
MASKED DANCE is taken to win this contest with Empressofboogie and Pure Nostalgia nominated as alternatives. The grey does not look to be the most straight forward of individuals but with an ability to handle the ground already confirmed, it could be worth offering him another chance. Empressofboogie is a half-sister to Another Decree. Michael Dods has a 29% strike rate with his runners at Hamilton this term so the market is watched. Pure Nostalgia dead heated in a soft ground seller at Ripon. There is a fair chance he might be ridden for early pace today. Countrywide Ice drops in grade having made little impact in handicaps. Saint Sebastian has been expensive to follow though the pedigree suggests that he will have a fair chance of acting on the prevailing going. Sands Of Dee met a much superior rival in Melody In The Mist in plating company and there does not look to be anything of that ability lurking in the wings here. Masked Dance is given the last waltz today.
Masked Dance (IRE) 10-3 (8-12) Raced keenly in lead, ridden and headed 2f out, hung right and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Prince Fortune (8-12) at Yarmouth 5f 2yo sll (6) gd.
Pure Nostalgia (IRE) 3-1fav (8-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to dead heat post, won at Ripon 6f 2yo sll (6) sft in Jul deadheating with Drumpellier (8-6), 8 ran.
Countrywide Ice (IRE) 50-1 (7-12) Hung badly right, and reminders soon after start, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 26l behind Layla's Hero (8-12) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Lord's Seat 40-1 (8-9) Towards rear, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 16l behind Mr Grinch (8-13) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Saint Sebastian (IRE) 11-4fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, keen, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Mr Grinch (8-13) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Sands Of Dee (USA) 9-2 (8-9) Chased winner throughout, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Melody In The Mist (9-2) at Ayr 5f 2yo clm (6) gf.
Dispol Kabira 8-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and some headway entering final 2f, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 9l behind Sultan's Choice (8-6) at Catterick 7f 2yo sll (6) sft in Jul.
Empressofboogie 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Hoof It (9-3) at Newcastle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
