took keen hold, made all, brought field to stands side rail straight, hung left over 1f out, ran on and in command final 100 yards
chased winner, hung left from 2f out, no impression when lost 2nd over 1f out
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway on stand rail 3f out, not clear run over 2f out until over 1f out, soon chased winner, well held final 100 yards
dwelt, held up, under pressure 3f out, one pace and well held when hung left over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased when beaten
A return to the sort of form shown two years ago by PERSIAN STORM can see this go the way of local trainer Gary Moore, but alternatives would be Northern Desert and Jonnie Skull. Persian Storm is the highest rated here by some distance, being officially 23 pounds better off than joint top-weighted Cordell. A 70,000 guineas purchase last year, he's not been able to repeat the form shown in his native Germany when winning three from six, while over here he's had one placing in eight, being tried on the flat and in hurdles. If he's going to win, it'll be in this sort of company. Northern Desert has been raced mainly on the all-weather, with this just his second outing on turf in two years, and he was disappointing in the last one. Flying Gazebo has had two runs to date, both of which were poor, but is dropped into claimers by Stan Moore. Richard Hannon doesn't send many to Brighton, but the lightly raced Cordell is second best on official figures to Persian Storm. Jonnie Skull is nought from 20, and had an unsuccessful go over hurdles last time out. Carrying bottom weight and being in stall one could be a double whammy to help him finally lose his maiden status. It's a poor race, but one we think can be won by Persian Storm.
Cordell (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 4l behind Saltagioo (9-2) at Sandown 1m clm stks (5) gd in Jul.
Persian Storm (GER) 4-1 (9-3) Prominent, pulled hard, tracked leader 6f out, challenged 2f out, beaten entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Saltagioo (9-2) at Sandown 1m clm stks (5) gd in Jul.
Dichoh 14-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, tracked leader 2f, remained prominent, every chance 2f out, unable to quicken when squeezed out over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 8l behind Saltagioo (9-2) at Sandown 1m clm stks (5) gd in Jul.
Northern Desert (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Beauchamp Viceroy (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jul.
Flying Gazebo (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 8l behind Cruikadyke (9-3) at Salisbury 1m (5) gf in Jul.
Evianne 66-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along, outpaced 3f out, behind final 2f, 10th of 12, 13l behind Megalala (9-13) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
Inside Trade (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 17, 9l behind Shangani (8-5) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Tracked leader until 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 14l behind Spring Of Fame (8-12) at Newmarket 1m con stks (2) gd in Jul.
