slowly into stride, soon close up, went 2nd 3f out, led 1f out, soon clear
held up mid-division, pushed along 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
keen hold, raced wide midfield, effort under pressure 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
soon tracking leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, soon outpaced by winner
took keen hold in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, just missed 3rd
ridden on outside towards rear 3f out, never a factor
led to over 2f out, soon weakened
close up, chased leading pair 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, just held on for 3rd
keen hold in mid-division, ridden when hampered twice over 2f out, soon behind
Strobilus is taken to defy topweight at the expense of I'm Right, Elusive Flash and Beverly Hill Billy. This has the makings of an open nursery, but we look to the top of the handicap to provide the answer in the shape of Strobilus. The Michael Jarvis-trained juvenile came good at the second time of asking when beating just two rivals in heavy ground at Haydock last month, and as long as he quickly adapts to the Polytrack, has the scope to improve enough to take this. I'm Right made a winning debut over seven furlongs here last month, but it is difficult to weight up the form as she beat mainly fellow newcomers. Nevertheless, she can only get better and is respected. Elusive Flash swished her tail during her Warwick success, but is another that is going the right way. Beverly Hill Billy was also a winner at Warwick last time, and does boast experience of the surface, so is yet another to consider. For the winner we return to Strobilus.
Strobilus 2-9fav (9-3) Made all, pushed out, won at Haydock 7f 2yo mdn aut (4) hvy in Sept beating Aureate (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.
Elusive Flash (USA) 5-6fav (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, chased leader soon after, led over 1f out, edged left but kept on, won at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) gs in Sept beating Little Miss Tara (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
I'm Right (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Sept beating Flying Encore (8-11) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Cesc 2-1fav (8-13) Held up, effort 2f out, soon not clear run over, ran on well when clear, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Billy Dane (9-5) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Brainy Benny (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) With leader, led 3f out, hung left stands side rail from 2f out, ran on, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn (4) pol in Sept beating Coeur de Lionne (9-3) by 2l, 8 ran.
Beverly Hill Billy 6-4fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Aug beating Bay of Light (8-9) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Al Raahi 15-2 (8-11) Chased winner, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, last of 7, 5l behind Grand Prix (9-7) at Chester 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sept.
Aegis (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and steady progress from over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, ran on close home, nearest finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Zoom One (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
