led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
towards rear, effort over 3f out, no impression
steadied at start and behind, always in rear division
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
held up behind leaders, headway 2f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on
in touch, driven and lost ground over 6f out, soon behind
mid-division, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, driven along 3f out, never on terms
The 11lb weight-for-age allowance is a big help for Nuwara Eliya, who is selected as the value option against Masafi and Double Deputy, who are sure to be to the fore in the betting market. The in-form Ouninpohja also merits consideration whilst he is in such good heart and he should not be underestimated in his bid for the three-timer. He is only 1lb higher than for his victory at Newcastle and must surely go close if he gets the breaks in running. Double Deputy was unbeaten from two starts last year. A mark of 84 leaves little room for error with him, though, and, considering the way several of Godolphin's runners have performed on their reappearance, he does not appeal as on to be taking too short a price about. Neither does Masafi, who was clobbered after running up a sequence of seven straight victories during his three-year-old campaign. He did run a fair race on his reappearance and has to be respected. But there is the suspicion that others are much better treated. With the nomination going to Nuwara Eliya, who is unexposed at the trip. The better ground will help him here and he looks the best each-way option if the on-course bookmakers overreact to Masafi and Double Deputy.
Masafi (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Evaluator (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Nordwind (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Soon prominent, ridden over 5f out, weakened 4f out, last of 16, 44l behind Notable Guest (9-8) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Hambleden 11-1 (10-0) Led, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Bay Story (9-1) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Hello It's Me 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakening when not much room inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Millville (10-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (3) gd.
Double Deputy (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp (D2) sft in Oct beating Another Choice (9-4) by a nk, 19 ran.
Ouninpohja (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) In touch, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 1m 2f stk 0-80 (4) gd in Jul beating Lucayan Dancer (9-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Sharpcut (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 10, 35l behind Solarias Quest (8-9) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Bucks 9-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, mid-division, hampered and switched right over 1f out, keeping on when hampered again inside final furlong, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Boot 'n Toot (9-1) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Sualda (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sporting Gesture (9-4) at York 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Nuwara Eliya 25-1 (8-11) Prominent and chasing group, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, virtually pulled up over 1f out, tailed off, 10th of 14, 37l behind Foxhaven (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Jul.
