Verdict

Xinbama has struggled off higher marks since winning one of these events in July when Lady Victory was back in fourth. Long Lost Love won her maiden here in the same month before running a shocker on her handicap debut, but Dark Ambition went close in both starts in handicaps last month and should figure. Cockney Rocker and Poetic Lord may do better racing in this company for the first time but a chance is taken on Wolverhampton winner QUEENS SANDRIDGE, who found the slow ground and mile trip against him at Newmarket last time.

Formwatch

Queens Sandridge (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Steadid start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 12, 8l behind Devdas (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.

Ex Oriente (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, driven early, soon tracked leaders, headway on outside over 2f out, wide entering straight, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Bounty Seeker (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Aug.

Poetic Lord 14-1 (9-3) Chased leading trio on outside, pushed along 3f out, soon unable to quicken, edged left and weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 8l behind Martin Chuzzlewit (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Aug.

Rock Canyon (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on rails over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Costa Del Fortune (9-2) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-75 2yo (5) gd in Aug.

Siouxperhero (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 9, 13l behind Grandeur (9-3) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.

Cockney Rocker 11-2 (9-3) Led on rail, edged left halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression on winner when dropped to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Mizbah (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Jun.

Xinbama (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Raced wide chasing leaders, carried wide on bend 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 15l behind Costa Del Fortune (9-2) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-75 2yo (5) gd in Aug.

Lady Victory (IRE) 25-1 (8-1) Steadied start, always in rear, last of 10, 18l behind Pimpernel (9-7) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gd in Aug.

Long Lost Love 5-4fav (9-5) Prominent, ridden halfway, soon outpaced, 7th of 8, 21l behind Dansili Dutch (8-4) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-75 2yo (5) gf in Aug.

Dark Ambition (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, switched inside and effort over 1f out, soon ridden and every chance, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Vinnie Jones (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Aug.

Joyful Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 9l behind Ziefhd (9-0) at Folkestone 7f 2yo stks (5) gf in Aug.

Angel Cake (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) In rear, kept on, never nearer, 7th of 13, 6l behind Gung Ho Jack (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Jul.

Fresteem 125-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 14, 40l behind Gabrial's Gift (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug.