trapped very wide close up, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway 3f out, edged left and chased winner over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong
slowly away in touch in rear, ridden 3f out, short lived effort over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led 1f, tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden out, readily
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
Universal was long odds-on at Wolverhampton last time but was readily outpaced by Prince Alzain and looks vulnerable here against the enigmatic INITIATOR. Jeremy Noseda's gelding is clearly a bit of a character and is often ponied to the start. He also tends to carry his head high in his races but still had enough in the locker to win in a similar grade at Sandown earlier this month and he can defy a 3lb rise in the weights. Too Much Trouble had form in Abu Dhabi that entitles him to respect but the others all disappointed last time. Ramona Chase, a winner at Windsor in May, could be the best of them today.
Too Much Trouble 20-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 11l behind Viking Storm (9-8) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
First Avenue 10-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, plugged on final furlong, never involved, 8th of 11, 8l behind Ramona Chase (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Fork Handles 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, driven along 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 16, 11l behind Danadana (10-0) at York 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf.
Ramona Chase 14-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 9l behind Rock A Doodle Doo (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jul.
Universal (IRE) 2-5fav (8-11) Set steady pace, headed 8f out, tracked winner, ridden 3f out, pressing winner when carried right bend 2f out, soon switched left, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Prince Alzain (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Initiator 10-1 (9-1) Ponied to post, took keen hold, tracked leader until 5f out, chased leaders, went 2nd again over 1f out, carried head high and stayed on inside final furlong, driven to lead final 50 yards, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Niceofyoutotellme (8-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Aquilonius (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Keen in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 13l behind Sequence (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.