mid-division, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well, ridden out
held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace from 2f out
held up behind, headway into mid-division over 1f out, ridden and no further impression
keen tracking leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and drifted left just under 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, no extra
held up towards rear, ridden when switched left 2f out, headway into mid-division 1f out, one pace after
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
keen, tracking leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
A tricky handicap to assess with Habshan, Nightspot, Fabrian and The Gaikwar all in with a shout but the vote goes to Fabrian. The selection was in winning action at Chepstow on his penultimate start and was not disgraced off a six pound higher mark last time out at the same track when finishing under two lengths behind The Gaikwar. In return The Gaikwar was put up the same amount but was exposed off that mark at Newmarket last time out and the fact that he can be very slow away means Fabrian has every chance of reversing previous form. Habshan was in winning form at Warwick last time out when beating Jaad but now carries top weight and will find things tougher here. Nightspot drops down in grade and has more than enough ability to win here but he can be hit or miss so for that reason is too be treated with caution. So for the winner we return to Fabrian.
Habshan (USA) 4-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, in touch, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, won at Warwick 1m hcp 0-80 (4) frm beating Jaad (9-8) by 1l, 7 ran.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, hampered and stumbled badly over 2f out, keeping on when not clear run over 1f out, not recover, 8th of 12, 8l behind Royal Oath (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Nightspot 14-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Brief Goodbye (9-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
The Gaikwar (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) In rear, pushed along halfway, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Fasylitator (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Fabrian 5-2fav (9-9) Tracked leader, led 3f out, one pace when headed over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 2l behind The Gaikwar (9-5) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Undeterred 5-1 (8-11) In touch, effort to chase winner 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Oldenway (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m 3f clm (6) gd in Jun.
Quantum Leap 20-1 (9-0) Slowly away, held up in rear, plenty to do straight, good headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, just held, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Phluke (9-5) at Epsom 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Mythical Charm 20-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon readily outpaced, last of 8, 9l behind dhtrs Zaafran (9-2) & Starship (9-7) at Windsor 1m fll hcp (4) gf.
Dream Forest (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden halfway, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Mataram (9-4) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jun.