held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, never nearer
took keen hold, always prominent, edged right and kept on to chase winner well inside final furlong, always held
in touch, effort and pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
well in touch, headway to chase leaders 3f out, promising effort over 2f out, soon hung right under pressure and weakened
held up in rear, headway and edged right over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well
held up in rear, moderate headway final furlong
took keen hold, led and soon clear, reduced lead 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, carried head high under pressure and no extra towards finish
always prominent, ridden and stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up, smooth headway 3f out, soon tracking leaders, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong and always holding on
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, behind final 3f, tailed off
A trappy affair in which many chances are held but for the winner, ALFATHAA is recommended though Credit Swap and Fanunalter are respected. William Haggas' charge was thought of as a Cambridgeshire type by connections but with other entries there and a 4lb drop down the weights, the decision to come here has been made. The addition of cheekpieces is certainly of interest. Credit Swap is a previous winner at Ascot. Granted, he has more to do off this mark but his apprentice is one of the better seven pound claimers around at present. Fanunalter has been one of Marco Botti's more successful Italian imports. The form of his second at Sandown was given a boost by the winner at Kempton on Thursday night. Romany Princess has ran well off similar marks in the past without quite being good enough. Elna Bright has been handed a 6lb rise for a second at Brighton. He had been raced off marks in the high 90's for previous connections. Espiritu looked very well in the paddock at Doncaster ahead of his recent engagement. His comprehensive defeat on that occasion was somewhat surprising so the market has to be watched this afternoon. Tartan Gunna has no issues in relation to the going and on balance, the 16/1 SP he was sent off at at Goodwood was something of an insult to his chances. Alfathaa is not without quirks but the assessor does at least seem to be giving him a chance this afternoon.
Huzzah (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) In touch, lost place over 2f out, soon behind, 14th of 19, 15l behind Roaring Forte (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Alfathaa 7-2fav (9-3) Tracked leaders and keen, no impression from over 1f out, last of 6, 4l behind Mawatheeq (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-110 (2) gf.
Espiritu (FR) 9-2fav (8-6) Dwelt, held up in rear, shaken up over 2f out, never in contention, 10th of 13, 5l behind Manassas (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-110 (2) gf.
Fanunalter 11-4 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, good headway from over 1f out, ridden and unable to quicken until stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Stoic (8-13) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Credit Swap 7-2fav (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to take 2nd close home, not reached winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Intense (9-0) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Romany Princess (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Held up, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tropical Paradise (8-12) at Salisbury 7f fll hcp (2) sft.
Bucked Off (SAF) 33-1 (9-2) Led, headed approaching 2f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 4l behind Demolition (8-6) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Tartan Gunna 16-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, headway to lead 6f out, ridden 3f out, hung right 2f out, driven and headed briefly inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, won at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) gf beating Resort (8-10) by nk, 9 ran.
Elna Bright 16-1 (9-8) Behind, headway well over 1f out, challenged entering final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 15, shd behind My Gacho (9-5) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Salient 3-1fav (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Mujood (9-9) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Webbow (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 5l behind Manassas (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-110 (2) gf.
