Pace & Draw

• Likely pace: honest-to-strong. Natural trailblazers/pressers include V Twelve, Ebony Maw, and Bollin Neil; Trojan Sun can be handy. That should ensure a fair test up the hill.
• Draw: over 1m5f here the draw is minor; inside saves ground (Stalls 1–4 handy if they hold a position). With a long run before the first turn, high draws can slot in if they break cleanly.

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Shortlist

Proven/Progressive/Promising tags included

Strongest contenders

• Billy No Mates (8/10) – Proven. Triple C&D winner, best figures with cut, ticking over well this summer; honest pace suits his late grind. OR 64 workable.
• V Twelve (8/10) – Proven. 131 at Hamilton; makes own running and stays well. Up in grade from am races but track craft a plus.
• Naturalia (7.5/10) – Progressive. Ayr 1m5f winner; reliable this summer, handles ground, still on a fair mark.
• Noss Mayo (7.5/10) – Promising (3yo). Sharpening since up in trip; getting weight; Bethell/CRod a positive; unexposed at staying trips.

Main dangers

• Perseus Way (7/10) – Interesting drop. Sea The Stars gelding, best recent Flat run staying on over 12f; class drop, low draw, Tudhope—could step forward at this trip.
• Ebony Maw (7/10) – Course style fit if dominating. Two 1m5f Ayr wins this term; better when bossing—here the lead is contested, so may need to settle for stalking.

Interesting outsiders

• Bollin Neil (7/10) – Proven stayer. In good nick; won 1m6f at Catterick and keeps running well. Up in class but ground/stamina ideal; can nick a place.
• Alnayef (6.5/10) – Class drop. Mixed 2025, reported to have bled latest; from stall 1 and down in grade, stays at least 1m4f—capable if back to early-season promise.
• Trojan Sun (6/10) – Track question. Musselburgh specialist; Hamilton not his A-track but strong pace/ground OK from a workable mark.

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Runner Scores & Suitability

• Billy No Mates – 8.5/10: Triple C&D, relishes some ease, strong pace ideal. Hold-up risk: mild (needs a gap).
• V Twelve – 8/10: Hamilton record 131; front-runner; stays. Draw 14 means a bit of work to cross.
• Naturalia – 7.5/10: Reliable filly, 1m5f win, ground fine; should keep finding.
• Noss Mayo – 7.5/10: Unexposed 3yo stayer, improving since up in trip; WFA handy.
• Perseus Way – 7/10: Class relief, strong finisher type; trip should suit; needs to back it up.
• Ebony Maw – 7/10: In form, best when dominating; pace pressure a slight negative.
• Bollin Neil – 7/10: Rock-solid stayer in form; class rise but ticking plenty of boxes.
• Alnayef – 6.5/10: Down in class, stamina fine; health note a concern; inside draw a plus.
• Trojan Sun – 6/10: Best at Muss; still competitive at the trip if things fall right.
• Mr Withington – 6/10: Lightly raced improver; up in trip could unlock more; still learning.
• Crystal Guard – 5.5/10: In form in C6; up a notch and stamina OK; place squeak.
• Tracker Issue – 5.5/10: Irish maiden form OK; up in trip; unknown ceiling; watch market.
• Brunello Breeze – 4.5/10: Better AW horse; turf 0/17; others stronger.
• Fourofakind – 3.5/10: Recent Flat run poor; better over hurdles; stamina adequate but questions.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters/stayers returning quickly; they can be hot.

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Each-Way Angles (14 runners)

• Noss Mayo – unexposed 3yo with a place-friendly profile if she stays strongly.
• Bollin Neil – hardened stayer, handles ground, very solid recent efforts.

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Private Tissue (fair odds)

• Billy No Mates 9/2 (15%)
• V Twelve 11/2 (13%)
• Naturalia 13/2 (12%)
• Noss Mayo 7/1 (11%)
• Perseus Way 9/1 (9%)
• Ebony Maw 10/1 (8%)
• Alnayef 12/1 (7%)
• Trojan Sun 14/1 (6%)
• Bollin Neil 14/1 (6%)
• Crystal Guard 22/1 (4%)
• Mr Withington 22/1 (4%)
• Tracker Issue 33/1 (3%)
• Brunello Breeze 66/1 (1.5%)
• Fourofakind 66/1 (1.5%)

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.

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Summary & Smart Play (Pro Punter View)

Strong pace looks likely, which brings stamina and course know-how to the fore. That leans the race towards the C&D grinder Billy No Mates, with V Twelve the main pace danger if he controls things, and Naturalia/Noss Mayo the progressive/weight-angled threats. Perseus Way is a sleeper on the class drop.

Smart Play generated by Chatgpt

• Top win bet: Billy No Mates – C&D credentials, ground/pace setup ideal off a workable mark.
• Each-way saver: Noss Mayo – unexposed 3yo stepping forward at staying trips; receives weight and shapes like she’ll see this out.