Verdict

HANDSOME RANSOM won his maiden by over four lengths over track and trip last month and there should be more to come from John Gosden's colt now he's got his head in front. He's preferred to recent Haydock fourth Scrupul and Counsel, who are both still maidens and make their all-weather debuts. Trois Vallees' win over a shorter trip here in September looks superior form to the Brighton victory of the other Godolphin runner Expert Fighter while Star Date is not out of this if fully recovered after clipping heels and falling at Epsom last time.

Formwatch

Handsome Ransom 2-5fav (9-0) Led after 1f, made rest, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, readily, won at Kempton 1m 2f mdn auc stks (5) pol in May beating Broadway Babe (8-9) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.

Venetian View (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) In rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, bumped entering final furlong, not able to trouble leaders, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Curzon Line (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

Star Date (IRE) 9-1 (7-13) Held up towards rear, appeared to clip heels and fell over 3f out, in a race won by Wrotham Heath (8-11) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf, 11 ran.

Trois Vallees (USA) 17-2 (8-11) Behind, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 10l behind Thomas Chippendale (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft.

Expert Fighter (USA) 9-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, last of 9, 49l behind Pilgrims Rest (8-10) at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.

Elkhart (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Keen and tracked winner until halfway, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Satanic Beat (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.

Scrupul (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, close 3rd when not much room well inside final furlong, held after, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Watheeq (8-12) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.

Counsel (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) In touch, under pressure over 2f out, ridden to challenge when hung left over 1f out, stayed on well, never reached winner, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Dellbuoy (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo stk 0-75 (5) sft.