in rear, behind final 4f
held up towards rear, never near leaders
held up in touch, progress from over 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, joined winner and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear
raced wide, held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
with winner, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out
always in rear
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
raced keenly, made all, ridden and joined from 3f out, driven inside final furlong, asserted towards finish
OTTOMAN EMPIRE is fancied to reign over the likes of Bothy and Bon Spiel amongst others. David Lanigan has had to be patient as his colt failed to handle fast ground at Newmarket in May but he has been confined to the all-weather since then and confirmed the impression that he made in his first two starts. Connections are able to kick on now that there's some ease in the turf and Ottoman Empire can continue to progress. Ella is another who is best served by a softer surface but the ground may not be soft enough to enable her to show her best but Bon Spiel has dropped by 13lbs since March and shaped quite encouragingly last time; he'd merit consideration if the market were to speak positively. Alcalde bounced back to form at Warwick and may be able to build on that under a penalty as he's lightly raced but this race is considerably stronger. Fastnet Storm should make a bold bid from the front but the handicapper appears to be winning that battle hands down but he hasn't had the opportunity to get on terms with Bothy. He ran no race in a Listed contest at Hamilton but his juvenile second to Skanky Biscuit reads well and he could do no more than win at Epsom. He's bred to improve with age, has been patiently handled and could show up well. Gala Casino Star is more exposed and has failed to score in 15 starts since scoring off 83 last July for today's jockey. He's back up to 85 following a head defeat and is over a trip that looks to stretch his stamina but is in decent heart. That may not be enough to see him prevail though and we fancy Ottoman Empire to hold sway.
Body Gold (ARG) 66-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, led to 9f out, bit slipped and hanging badly left from over 7f out, soon virtually pulled up, last of 11, well behind Record Breaker (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.
Bon Spiel 25-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Tartan Gunna (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sep.
Ella 22-1 (9-13) Held up mid-division, effort and headway over 2f out, chased clear winner over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 9l behind Distant Memories (9-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Sep.
Charlie Cool 12-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, switched left to outer inside final 2f, soon driven and no further impression, 7th of 11, 6l behind Rainbow Peak (8-10) at Ascot 1m 2f stks 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
Ottoman Empire (FR) 9-4 (9-4) Tracked winner over 7f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and hung right over 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, never quite able to get on terms with winner, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Highland Glen (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sep.
Gala Casino Star (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Disputed lead early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, took narrow lead entering final furlong, headed final 100 yards, ran on, 2nd of 11, hd behind Collateral Damage (9-4) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Ra Junior (USA) 16-1 (8-7) Always behind, 15th of 17, 17l behind Royal Destination (9-2) at York 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Aug.
Trans Siberian 11-2 (9-9) Slowly into stride, pulled hard and soon tracking leaders, ridden and close up when edging right over 1f out and fading, 4th of 9, 17l behind Resurge (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Daaweitza 20-1 (7-6) Held up mid-divsion, chased leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Collateral Damage (7-12) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gf.
Alcalde 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, headway 2f out, led and hung right over 1f out, driven out, won at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) gf beating Crackentorp (9-8) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Marvo 9-1 (8-6) Held up, ridden well over 1f out, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 16l behind Demolition (8-6) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sep.
Elliptical (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 7, 7l behind Penitent (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sep.
Lord Theo 9-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 5, 10l behind Lochiel (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Bothy 15-2 (9-0) In rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 6, 46l behind Parthenon (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Fastnet Storm (IRE) 4-1fav (9-3) Led, strongly challenged and headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Agilete (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Sep.
Dar Es Salaam 20-1 (9-2) In rear, went far side 7f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, virtually pulled up from over 1f out, dismounted after line, last of 6, well behind Broomielaw (9-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
