tracked winner, driven over 2f out, not trouble winner over 1f out, kept on well for 2nd
made all, jinked left 2f out, wandered left over 1f out and clear, stayed on gamely under pressure, driven out
held up in rear, headway into modest 3rd 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, lost 3rd post
held up 5th, driven over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out
close up 4th, driven well over 2f out, no impression on leaders final 2f
soon ridden along in rear, driven along over 7f out and over 4f out, headway from 2f out, ran on final furlong and took 3rd post
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, driven over 3f out, lost touch and weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off
This is another decent handicap and from a shortlist of OSTAADI, Penang Princess and Albaasha we will side with Ostaadi. The selection won a maiden at Southwell last month and he then followed that up with a good effort here when he was only narrowly beaten by Final Victory. He has only had three runs so he remains unexposed and with the step-up in trip expected to suit he should be hard to beat. Penang Princess hails from a yard in form and she won well last time at Sandown when she beat King Of Wands. She is upped in trip and if she gets home then she would have a big chance. Albaasha improved for the step up to 1m4f at Doncaster last time and connections are clearly hoping that he will improve again now that he is upped to 2m. Excelsior Academy was a cosy winner at Yarmouth earlier in the month so Brian Meehan's 3-year-old is another that merits plenty of respect. But Ostaadi is on an upward curve and he can lead them home.
Ostaadi 3-1 (9-1) Led after 1f, raced greenly in front, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed upsides winner throughout final furlong, always held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Final Victory (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Penang Princess 8-1 (8-9) Led to 9f out, stayed prominent, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, quicken to lead again inside final furlong, won at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May beating King Of Wands (9-4) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Excelsior Academy 4-1 (8-13) Always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, clear final furlong, won at Yarmouth 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft beating Kidson (8-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lake Kalamalka (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 5l behind Final Victory (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Albaasha (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, nk behind Deauville Flyer (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Ermyn Lodge 11-2 (8-8) Tracked leader, ran in snatches, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Darley Sun (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fm in May.
Arabian Moonlight 33-1 (8-9) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon ridden and beaten, 5th of 11, 19l behind Flame Of Gibraltar (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f fll mdn stks (5) gf.
Mohanad (IRE) 28-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, made some late headway but never in race, 7th of 12, 10l behind Mons Calpe (9-6) at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
