pulled early and held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, no extra
leapt leaving stalls, behind, ridden 2f out, switched left over 1f out, no impression
prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, went 2nd close home
This looks quite competitive and Ouqba, Mamlakati and GINOBILI are all considered, but the last mentioned caught the eye last time and Richard Hannon's colt is put forward as the pick. The selection ran well despite not really handling the soft ground at Folkestone when last seen, and the return to this faster surface should suit. He had previously been in good form on quick ground and he looks worth siding with. Ouqba looks the main danger as he was not disgraced in Group 2 company last time and the drop in trip and the return to this quicker ground are big pluses. Mamlakati won well on her debut at Windsor and although she has more on her plate here she could be quite useful and a market check is advised. Wildcat Wizard does not lack for ability but he has looked far from straightforward and this drop back to 6f is not sure to suit.
Wildcat Wizard (USA) (9-2) 3rd of 6, 2l behind Homebound (8-13) at Deauville 7f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Ginobili (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, edged left over 1f out and soon driven, squeezed through final 100 yards, closing on winner, not quite get there, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Daddy's Gift (8-9) at Folkestone 6f nov stk (4) sft in Sept.
Ouqba 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind Westphalia (8-12) at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Sept.
Mamlakati (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up mid-division, headway when not clear run over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, eased near finish, won at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Jul beating Poyle Meg (9-0) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Qalahari (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Went right start, soon led, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened quickly, 8th of 10, 6l behind Fantasia (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Spanish Baron (USA) Evensfav (9-3) Dwelt, soon recoverd to lead after 1f, strongly pressed final furlong, driven and held on gamely, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Aug beating Norfolk Broads (8-12) by a hd, 4 ran.
It Must Be Love Piccolo filly out of True Bird.