Verdict
A wide-open race with only 5lb separating the field on official ratings and ALWAYS LIKE THIS gets only a tentative vote on her handicap bow. She failed to land the odds over 6f at Kempton last time, but will improve for the longer trip and had today's rival George Guru behind when runner-up at the same track before that. Ferruccio is tried in a visor after being placed on his last five starts but Musselburgh winner Focail Eile makes more appeal dropping in class. Rezwaan and Al Aqabah look in the handicapper's grip, but Greek Islands may be capable of better.
Formwatch
Focail Eile 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division on inside, headway and hung right from 3f out, stayed on to 3rd over 1f out, kept on to 2nd and hung left closing stages, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Daneside (8-5) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sep.
Rezwaan 10-1 (9-6) Mid-division on outside, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 9l behind Kakapuka (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Sep.
Alfresco 16-1 (8-13) Dwelt keen in rear, headway and switched left 2f out, not clear run approaching final furlong, switched right and stayed on, 6th of 14, 3l behind Tagula Night (9-4) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sep.
George Guru 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Intercept (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Ferruccio (IRE) 11-4fav (9-6) In touch, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind West End Lad (9-8) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Al Aqabah (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Prince Of Sorrento (8-8) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Aspectus (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 7l behind Shotley Mac (9-3) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Danehill Dante (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge, 8th of 11, 23l behind Covert Decree (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sep.
Huwayit (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) In touch in mid-division towards outside, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 33l behind Sadeek's Song (9-3) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Sep.
Greek Islands (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Always in rear, 9th of 10, 7l behind West End Lad (9-8) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Always Like This (IRE) 8-13fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, never on terms, 4th of 8, 4l behind Libys Dream (8-12) at Kempton 6f mdn fll (5) pol in Sep.
Isingy Red (FR) 12-1 (8-10) Keen, early always in rear, last of 10, 13l behind Apollo D'Negro (8-12) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.