chased leaders on outside in 4th, outpaced when reminders over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked winner, challenged over 3f out, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, headed narrowly final 50 yards, kept on, just held
led, joined over 3f out, soon hard pressed, ridden and headed narrowly 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to regain lead final 50 yards, held on
slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven to chase leading trio when not much room on inside rail over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd final 50 yards, no chance with leading pair
raced keenly, tracked leading pair, driven 3f out, soon outpaced, ridden and no impression when edged right towards centre over 1f out, stayed on same pace, lost 3rd final 50 yards
From a good pitch in stall two VENTURA SANDS looks capable of coming back to form now dropped to this trip, and he can see off Ibsaar and Edmaaj. The selection made a pleasing debut at Newcastle last month over this trip, but stepped up to a mile at Thirsk he was found wanting. The slightly slower ground will probably be a plus and he is given the vote. Ibsaar was placed in a Newcastle maiden last time and would not mind any further rain, although good ground should be fine and from the inside pitch he is much respected. Edmaaj looked a surefire improver second time at York, but failed to live up to that and was still green. He has a wider draw to overcome but is not ruled out. Babich Bay looks best of the rest, but Ventura Sands is preferred.
Babich Bay (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, one pace and no chance with leading duo final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Invincible Ridge (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Aug.
Edmaaj (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 17, 6l behind Moriarty (9-3) at York 7f 2yo mdn (2) gf in Aug.
Ibsaar 3-1fav (9-3) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, led again briefly 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Loukoumi (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Marked Card (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Awkward leaving stalls, slowly into stride, running green in rear, headway halfway, short lived effort 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 12l behind Lord Of The Stars (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Ventura Sands (IRE) 6-5fav (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 18l behind Colour Vision (9-3) at Thirsk 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Jane's Legacy Needwood Blade filly out of Victory Flip.
Phair Winter 100-1 (8-12) With leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, 6th of 11, 10l behind Waking Warrior (9-3) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Jun.
