tracked clear leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
steadied start, held up in 4th, headway when not clear run and switched right approaching final furlong, soon joined leaders on bit, led close home
Sashenka has won on Tapeta in the past and should be in the mix once again having won over today’s trip at Chelmsford last month. But RODRIGO DIAZ is the more progressive having landed a double over shorter trips on Polytrack and this extra distance will suit David Simcock’s charge if proving as effective on this surface. Al Kout can do better back on the all-weather today with his yard in flying form but Niblawi won over hurdles on his only start of last year and hasn’t raced on the Flat since 2017.
Niblawi (IRE) 7-4 (11-4) Leading when jinked right and headed 1st, tracked leader, ridden to lead bend into straight, hit last, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 4f (4) gd in Mar beating Raising The Bar (11-4) by 4l, 5 ran.
Al Kout 22-1 (9-11) Led, headed after 4f, close up when ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 12th of 14, dist behind Postileo (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Sashenka (GER) 4-1jfav (9-7) Led briefly, chased leaders, left in close 3rd home turn, soon 2nd, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Aug beating Casa Comigo (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Rodrigo Diaz 11-10fav (9-2) Raced keenly, soon steadied rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and plenty to do inside final 2f, sustained run inside final furlong, led final 100 yards, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Sep beating Francisco Bay (9-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
