dwelt, in rear, ridden over 3f out, effort 2f out, soon hung left and weakened
close up, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, headway on inside from over 1f out, switched right, ridden, ran on inside final furlong, gaining on winner towards finish
in rear, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out
in rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, pushed along 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
keen, close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
BAB AL SALAM is fancied to retain his unbeaten record by getting the better of Everynight and Satwa Gold. The Newmarket trained selection was entitled to need his first start since October but he battled on really well to land a competitive handicap by a head. This sharp track provides him with a very different test to the Sandown hill but the longer trip will help and it will be disappointing if he can't win from his revised mark. Everynight has run some sound races this season with a defeat of Above Average and a third to Firebet particularly noteworthy efforts. The step back up in trip will suit and Darryll Holland is a positive booking for the yard. Satwa Gold didn't feature at Kempton last month on his first start since the Spring but he wasn't beaten all that far in a warm race and it would be no surprise to see him figure more prominently over a trip that he's bred to appreciate. Brett Vale fluffed his lines at Sandown but can't be ignored, Mutamaashi has run well enough this season to be feared whilst Almuktahem and Stan's Cool Cat aren't dismissed but the more exposed Norwegian Dancer ran a fine race at Chester last time and rates a bigger threat to Bab Al Salam.
Brett Vale (IRE) 4-9fav (10-1) Made most until headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 8l behind Master Fong (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Fullback (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 6l behind Ashram (8-11) at Kempton 1m stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Aug.
Mutamaashi 5-1 (9-2) Dwelt in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven and stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Laaheb (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Jul.
Norwegian Dancer (UAE) 14-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, stayed on well towards finish, 4th of 12, nk behind Embsay Crag (8-0) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Bab Al Salam (USA) 9-2fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, just prevailed, won at Sandown 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug beating Isphahan (9-3) by hd, 15 ran.
Stan's Cool Cat (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Leceile (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Almuktahem 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, pulled hard early, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, last of 12, 21l behind Embsay Crag (8-0) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Satwa Gold (USA) 10-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, ridden and no progress final 2f, 11th of 12, 9l behind Musleh (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Everynight (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and edged right when headed over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, kept on, held towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Negotiation (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
