tracked winner, joined winner 8f out until over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
made all, joined 8f out until over 3f out, clear over 1f out, ridden and ran on
awkward start and slowly into stride, in rear, headway when switched left over 1f out, ridden and went 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, headway to dispute 2nd 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
always in rear, ridden 6f out
Essexbridge is interesting at the weights in the first-time blinkers but he still has to prove he stays this far and preference is for SPIRIT IS NEEDED. Mark Johnston's gelding has already gone close to winning on this track and scored over on the July course earlier in the campaign. He has found handicapping tough since then, but the weights are more in his favour today and he can strike again. Dance The Star is back on the same mark as when landing a Wolverhampton handicap in January and given that he has gone well from higher marks in handicaps he would have to be short list material here in spite of having 2lb to find with our pick at these weights. Relative Strength might find this a bit on the short side but Resplendent Light is a specialist at this trip, though has it to do at the weights.
Cool Strike (UAE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leader until over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 15, well behind Maybe I Wont (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f am hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Spirit Is Needed (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 18l behind Ferdoos (8-9) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Archie Rice (USA) 20-1 (11-7) Close up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 7th of 16, 7l behind Miami Gator (11-2) at Doncaster 1m stks 0-70 (5) gd.
Dance The Star (USA) 14-1 (9-5) Slowly away, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 10l behind Ottoman Empire (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Quarante Deux (USA) 16-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 7l behind Home Advantage (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Relative Strength (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 17l behind Act Of Kalanisi (9-13) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Resplendent Light 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 17l behind Sparkling Smile (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Essexbridge 20-1 (8-4) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost place, 13th of 14, 45l behind Taqleed (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug.
