Verdict

There should be more to come from ART OF DIPLOMACY having made a winning start in handicaps in soft ground over today’s trip at Hamilton with George Mallory back in third. Mick Easterby’s charge is preferred to Ripon runner-up Potenza, who was beaten by George Mallory at Haydock earlier. Grazeon Roy has plenty of scope stepping up from a mile and Lincoln Tale makes more appeal than Fantastic Ms Fox and Lady Scatterley if coping with the underfoot conditions.

Formwatch

Art Of Diplomacy 10-1 (9-0) Awkward start, prominent, switched right when not clear run over 2f out, driven to lead entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Sep beating Funny Man (10-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.

Grazeon Roy 15-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Power Player (9-5) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Sep.

Potenza (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, edged right and chased winner over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Euro Implosion (9-1) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Aug.

Lady Scatterley (FR) 3-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, not quicken approaching final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Isabella Brant (8-11) at Ripon 1m 4f stks (5) gs in Sep.

Fox Fearless 33-1 (8-11) Driven leaving stalls, led, headed over 3f out, weakened from over 2f out, last of 6, 14 3/4l behind Calculation (9-2) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (4) gs in Jul.

George Mallory 4-1 (9-3) Led until over 2f out, soon rallied and every chance, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Art Of Diplomacy (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Sep.

Flash Point (IRE) 50-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, lost place 8f out, well beaten over 3f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Just Hubert (9-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gf in Sep.

Fantastic Ms Fox 4-1fav (8-4) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bollin Joan (9-5) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Sep.

Cool Possibility (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Dwelt in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Arctic Sea (10-0) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul.

Lincoln Tale (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway on outer over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Smart Lass (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Sep.