slowly into stride, towards rear, nudged along from 3f out, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden and switched left over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, edged right, not quicken
held up in rear, switched left over 2f out, always behind
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to challenge and edged right just over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, trying to close when not clear run over 1f out, ran on entering final furlong, edged right and no impression final 100 yards
mid-division, headway on inside well over 1f out, not quicken when hampered inside final furlong, eased
led until over 1f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
in touch, raced keenly, looking for room over 2f out, switched left well over 1f out, hampered entering final furlong, beaten after
always in rear
held up towards rear, pushed along on outside 3f out, hanging right 2f out, soon pulled out left and headway, hung right, ran on well to press winner well inside final furlong, just held
dropped out start, always in rear, eased final furlong
in touch, weakened over 1f out
pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
in touch, hampered and snatched up just over 1f out, checked briefly inside final furlong, no impression after
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, just prevailed
A big field and plenty of likely contenders; from a shortlist of Bab Al Saman, Bravo Echo and ELLIPTICAL, it is the last-named who is narrowly preferred. A wide draw must be a negative for a horse who has done his best work from the front however he may have the class to get by. His only disappointing run came when not handling the unique Epsom camber, and with more improvement to come he can shake off a 7lb rise in the weights for his Salisbury success. Marajaa is a grand old stick who comes here in top form however he looks weighted up to the hilt, a comment that may also apply to Romany Princess and Gold Express following recent good spells. Bravo Echo is on the upgrade; the stable have had a good week and he is one of several progressive three-year-olds in the race. Ellemujie and Light From Mars are both course and distance winners, Rainbow Mirage needs watching in the betting, whilst Reel Buddy Star has a penalty for a recent Newcastle romp to deal with. The most interesting runner is Bab Al Salam; this Seeking The Gold filly is related to more US sprint winners than you can shake a stick at and she could be anything making her handicap debut off a mark of 81. Not easy for the punter, but Elliptical can prevail.
Marajaa (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out until switched left approaching final furlong, soon quickened and well inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul beating Mister Dee Bee (9-6) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Light From Mars 5-1 (9-8) Raced centre, in touch, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Musaalem (9-8) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Ellemujie 11-1 (10-0) In rear, pushed along over 3f out, not clear run on inside over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 18, 7l behind Marajaa (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Rainbow Mirage (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Chased leader for 2f, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Faithful Ruler (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Mar.
Romany Princess (IRE) 9-2fav (10-3) Held up in mid-division on inside, not clear on rails from 2f out until approaching final furlong, running on when ran out of room near finish, 6th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Alsace Lorraine (9-13) at Goodwood 1m 1f fll hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Spirit of Sharjah (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway on outer from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leading pair, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Prime Exhibit (9-4) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Resurge (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Fanjura (9-7) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jul.
Tudor Key (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 8th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Musleh (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Southandwest (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) Keen in mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, 7th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Jeninsky (8-8) at Newmarket 7f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Isphahan 9-1 (9-8) Held up, headway towards far side over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened final 1f, 4th of 15, 12l behind Credit Swap (9-2) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Gold Express 13-2 (9-9) Reluctant to enter stalls, steadied start, held up towards rear, soon headway on rail from 2f out, switched left to track leader over 1f out, led 1f out, quickened and driven clear, won at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul beating Dear Maurice (10-0) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kings Troop 20-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 5th of 7, 10l behind Imaam (8-8) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) hvy.
Reel Buddy Star 3-1fav (9-5) Made all, quickened over 2f out, clear entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Ninth House (8-10) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Salient 5-2fav (9-13) Led, ridden 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 8, 1l behind Pha Mai Blue (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Bab Al Salam (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, joined leader 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out final furlong readily, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Oct beating Ucantmissme (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Elliptical (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Led for 2f, chased leader, led going well over 2f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, won at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul beating Rafiqa (9-4) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bravo Echo 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, kept on well under pressure, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jul beating Sunshine Always (9-1) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
