This race has cut up quite badly and that may have opened the door for Elmaleeha to land the spoils. The tough as teak Flying Clarets won't be easy to pass whilst the lowest rated runner in the race, Island Vista, is feared most of the remainder. Michael Jarvis campaigns his horses intelligently and it is unlikely that he would be risking a workable handicap mark unless he felt that he had a live chance of collecting the spoils. This is a big step up in class from a Windsor maiden but the Montjeu filly was reported to have relished the cut in the ground on that occasion and she's clearly a useful prospect. Flying Clarets enjoyed her finest hour when winning the John Smith's Cup here in July on heavy ground and she faces a far easier task here than on her two subsequent starts. She's equally effective in a small field such as today's and she ticks all of the right boxes as well as having several pounds in hand of the field; she should be a warm order. Elmaleeha represents top connections and hails from the yard responsible for last year's winner. She is unraced on ground worse than good to soft but plenty of Galileo's progeny like to get their toe in and a stamina test could turn out to be the making of her as she has appeared to get outpaced over this trip on faster ground. She was only beaten by seven lengths in the Ribblesdale on her penultimate start and Elmaleeha can prove her class here.
Flying Clarets (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Multidimensional (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) hvy.
Susie May 40-1 (9-6) Held up in 6th, driven along over 2f out, plugged on one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Gravitation (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 6f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Veenwouden 50-1 (8-9) Towards rear, effort on outer over 3f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 19l behind Geordieland (8-12) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Elmaleeha 9-2 (8-5) Led until headed over 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Suzi's Decision (8-5) at Newbury 1m 4f lst fll stk (1) gd.
Island Vista 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs beating Duncan (9-3) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Presbyterian Nun (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Suzi's Decision (8-5) at Newbury 1m 4f lst fll stk (1) gd.
Queen of Naples 10-1 (8-6) Raced in close 4th, ridden to dispute 3rd briefly over 2f out, driven, weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 7, 9l behind Gravitation (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 6f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
