mid-division on inside, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, carried left start, towards rear, some headway on outside, ran green 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders in 4th, ridden, weakened over 1f out
went right start, held up towards rear, headway on wide outside from 2f out, challenged 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked leaders, challenged on bit 3f out, still every chance 1f out, no extra final 100 yards
made most, pushed along, strongly pressed from 3f out, kept narrow advantage until ridden, headed 1f out, soon not quicken
took keen hold, chased leader to 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
dwelt, soon in mid-division, effort on outside, green 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, always behind, ridden, struggling over 3f out, tailed off
slowly away, carried right start, ran very green, always in rear
close up in 5th, headway to challenge 2f out, ridden, every chance 1f out, chased winner after, held when edged right final 100 yards
held up in rear, driven along 3f out, never a factor
ITHINKBEST sets the standard in this maiden and he is recommended ahead of Altimatum and Ultimate Respect. The BHA Assessor currently has Sir Michael Stoute's gelding rated at 80. There is little doubt that his run at Redcar was disappointing but we will chance that he probably did not act on the fast ground and that today's surface will better suit. Altimatum won at Brighton but subsequently lost on appeal. He stays a mile though this looks a tougher engagement that that on the South coast. Ultimate Respect is noted in the market. Mark Johnston's debutants traditionally need the run but with the Middleham handler sending out winners by the hatful at present, it would be folly to ignore any market confidence. Count Lucien is no stranger to Sandown having raced here twice previously. With plenty of give likely underfoot, the decision to drop back to a mile could be a wise one on balance. Major Value could be a big price and may have ability if consenting to settle. El Libertador was quickly cast out of the David Wachman stable after just one outing as a juvenile. Directorship ran dismally on seasonal reappearance and it is hard to believe that he is as modest as that run suggests. The impeccably bred Through The Forest looks one for the notebook this afternoon. Not a race for heavy punting play and Ithinkbest is put forward to minimum stakes.
Altimatum (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Chased runaway leader to halfway, stayed prominent in chasing group, closed up over 2f out, chased leader approaching final furlong, driven, stayed on and edged left inside final furlong, led post, in a race won by Altimatum (9-3) at Brighton 1m 3yo mdn (5) fm, 5 ran.
Bengal Tiger 5-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 12, 23l behind Invisible Man (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Count Lucien 10-1 (9-3) Held up, headway to chase leaders 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 15, 8l behind Brooklyn Spirit (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Directorship 9-2 (9-3) In touch until weakened quickly over 3f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Sam Sharp (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) sft in May.
El Libertador (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 3f out, 9th of 15, 19l behind Recharge (9-0) at Killarney 1m 2yo mdn gd in Aug.
Ithinkbest 7-4 (8-9) Prominent, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Yorgunnabelucky (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Major Value 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along over 3f out, driven along on wide outside and beaten well over 1f out, 5th of 6, 10l behind Saturn Girl (8-12) at Windsor 1m 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Ultimate Respect (USA) Elusive Quality colt out of Zelanda.
Lady Lam 33-1 (8-7) Prominent over 3f, beaten 2f out, 5th of 9, 12l behind Steel Free (8-12) at Warwick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd.
Lilly Royal (IRE) Tillerman filly out of Ervedya.
Poyle Meg 11-4fav (9-0) Mid-division, struggling to hold position over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, no further impression, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Super Academy (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn fll stks (5) gf in Jun.
Through The Forest (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, hampered over 5f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 12, 12l behind Applause (9-3) at Windsor 1m (5) gf.
