towards rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, weakened 2f out
dwelt in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go a never dangerous 2nd near finish
keen led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leaders, joined leader on bit over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, edged right and ridden out
pressed leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, kept on one pace
in rear, never a factor
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
Punters will be wary of ELUSIVITY after he finished runner-up for the fifth time in a row on his latest start but it's more down to hard luck than any quirks on his part. He didn't get a clear run at a crucial point in the race in better company at Sandown last time and is given another chance with Frankie taking over the reins. An easy winner at Newbury last week, Romantic Wish looks ahead of the handicapper and a 6lb penalty is unlikely to prevent another bold bid, while Roman Strait has been running well over 6f but is upped in class here. Red Riverman may improve now handicapping for the first time and Gentleman Is Back is worth noting on his reappearance.
Elusivity (IRE) 17-2 (8-10) Held up in 9th towards rear on inside, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, went 3rd approaching final furlong, went 2nd final 130 yards, edged right well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Chilled (8-13) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Gentleman Is Back (USA) 10-11fav (9-7) Steadied and went right start, pulled hard, headway on outside 5f out, not clearest of runs over 1f out, soon switched right, edged right and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Charles Fosterkane (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Romantic Wish 9-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Newbury 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Caelis (9-4) by 6l, 12 ran.
Shafgaan 16-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 21l behind Sinfonico (9-7) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jun.
Strictly Pink (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and effort on inside over 1f out, kept on and every chance towards finish, just held, 4th of 13, 1/2l behind Louis The Pious (9-7) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Sacrosanctus 14-1 (9-0) In rear, headway on outer to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Orpsie Boy (9-10) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Chokidar (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Led 2f, prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 15l behind Moone's My Name (8-12) at Warwick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Red Riverman 6-4fav (9-0) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, outpaced from over 1f out, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Chaussini (9-3) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Roman Strait 7-2 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase winner towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Shesastar (9-7) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Mazovian (USA) 7-1 (8-6) Outpaced, ridden halfway, never on terms, 5th of 7, 9l behind Fast Shot (8-13) at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
