tracked leader, ridden over 3f out and every chance, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon one paced
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 5f out, behind, soon beaten
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, led again inside final furlong, kept on well
Cd Europe has hinted at retaining ability on his last couple of runs and gets the selection in yet another competitive Showcase Handicap. He has not won since landing the 2000 Coventry Stakes but might be worth taking a chance with. When the going gets soft at Hamilton, high numbers are favoured in sprints, but such a situation should not apply today. Johnston's Diamond has been raised 10lbs for his Nottingham win; King's Ballet has lost his form since winning at Chester - on soft going - in 2001, and a number of others are likely to need the run. Following his Lingfield win, Lucayan Monarch disappointed in cheekpieces at Newcastle (Snow Bunting was in the rear there on his seasonal return) and they are left off today. Linda Perratt runs three; the course and distance winner, Xanadu, who could be given a chance on his best form but has been lightly raced in recent times. She also runs another course and distance winner in Viewforth, and the lightly-raced Getatem, who came good in a Thirsk maiden handicap last September. Viewforth rattled up a hat-trick of wins here last June but is 4lbs higher in the ratings now than for the last of them. However, he could run well following his seasonal pipe-opener six days ago (although Hout Bay and King's Ballet finished ahead of him that day). Hout Bay has been running well without success lately and Ballybunion has threatened to win a race of this nature. If By Chance comes here on the back of two all-weather wins (one of them in a seller) while that old campaigner Distinctive Dream knows what it takes to win here and will get able assistance from George Duffield, while Offtoworkwego is only lightly-raced and could be open to improvement.
