switched right soon after start, held up, came wide entering straight, headway on outside 2f out, no impression final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway when not clear run briefly just inside 2f out, not clear run again over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along 7f out, soon lost place, well behind final 5f, tailed off
held up towards rear on outside, headway halfway, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and effort when slightly bumped over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, eased
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, driven along from 3f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd towards finish
held up, ridden and headway when not clear run briefly over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and switched left over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up in touch, took closer order from over 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along on outside over 4f out, out paced 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong but not troubled leaders
led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leader, led briefly 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, driven over 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, driven out
virtually refused to race, eventually came out of stalls, always completely tailed off
Ebtikaar can stop Admiral in his tracks, with Palomar, Elusive Dream, Sirce and Colloquial other for the mix. Stamina is the key here in the rain-softened ground, and as Ebtikaar shaped as though he needed a step up even when scoring over 14 furlongs at Salisbury last time, he is selected to follow up. He came late on the scene at the Wiltshire track, and although having to contend with a rise in the weights, he should prove up to the task with his ability to handle the ground not in question. Chester Cup winner Admiral gave Tim Pitt his biggest training success in the short time that he has been on the scene, and the ex-Richard Guest inmate has to be respected, but he will not have things his own way from the front on this more conventional track. Palomar has topweight and now that he has settled in at Beckhampton, may start to reveal his ability, while Elusive Dream has the class but will be of more interest if the pennies start to pile on. Sirce showed that she stays when scoring at Kempton but this represents a step up in class, and Colloquial is likely to need the run, but the stable is in good heart at present. They appear to be the main contenders, with Ebtikaar seen as the answer.
Palomar (USA) 10-3 (8-13) Held up in touch, headway over 4f out, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Admiral's Cruise (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f stk (2) gd.
Ebtikaar (IRE) 8-13fav (9-10) Held up, headway 4f out, swiched left 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Salisbury 1m 6f hcap (2) frm beating Michabo (9-2) by a nk, 6 ran.
Fortune Island (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, some headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 16l behind Cold Turkey (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Odiham 16-1 (8-10) Held up, headway over 4f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 19th of 34, 21l behind Sergeant Cecil (9-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Caracciola (GER) (11-5) 4th of 6, 8l behind Encore Bien (10-6) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f amt stk hvy in Oct '01.
Elusive Dream 5-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway 3f out, not much room 2f out, hung left, one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 17, 6l behind Admiral (8-1) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gf.
Sirce (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Settled in rear, headway 2f out, going well, led over 1f out, soon clear, pushed out, easily, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr beating The Nawab (9-10) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ten Carat 20-1 (9-7) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 16l behind Greenwich Meantime (8-11) at Ripon 2m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Admiral (IRE) 28-1 (8-1) Made all, driven out, won at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gf beating Vinando (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Baddam 7-1 (9-9) Chased leader, ridden over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 6, 6l behind Ebtikaar (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcap (2) frm.
Colloquial 7-2 (9-13) In touch, ridden and switched right 3f out, led 2f out, hung left 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, won at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct beating Historic Place (9-3) by 4l, 11 ran.
Jeepstar 16-1 (8-10) Led until over 5f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 8l behind Mikao (8-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Spear Thistle 10-1 (8-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 11, 18l behind Cold Turkey (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Toldo (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, lost place 2f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 5th of 8, 13l behind Numero Due (9-4) at Thirsk 2m hcap (4) gd.
Ocean of Storms (IRE) 66-1 (7-13) Dwelt badly, always tailed off, last of 13, well behind Hue (8-4) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
