Few of these juveniles will have encountered ground as testing as this so a degree of guesswork is involved in trying to ascertain the winner of this contest. Ouqba may prove to be the answer with Bonnie Charlie and Frognal two others that make some appeal. Ouqba was only beaten half a length behind Finjaan on his second start having finished third to the smart Art Connoiseur on debut. It may not have been the strongest novice race that he won at the July meeting but he did the job well and rates the one to beat here. His trainer, Barry Hills, won this with a useful sort last year and has two other entries here. Damien made a pleasing debut on quick ground at Windsor and, as a son of Namid, should handle some cut in the ground and his Mill Reef entry suggests that he'll be more than capable of holding his own in this company. Bonnie Charlie appeared a shade unfortunate not to get the better of Finjaan at Goodwood in the Molecomb when only beaten a head. That experience should have taught him a good deal more than his debut and he won't need to improve to land this. Brian Meehan appears to target this race and two of his recent winners have been partnered by Frankie Dettori. The ebullient Italian is aboard the maiden Frognal who stepped up on his debut form to finish close up at Goodwood in a decent race; there should be more to come but it's a concern that he took a keen hold last time as a repeat could see him struggle to get home in this ground. Anglezarke didn't appear to see out this trip on her penultimate start but stayed on strongly to win over five furlongs here last time; that was on fast ground but her pedigree offers hope that she'll stay. This race has been won by some smart performers in the past and Ouqba may well be another one.
Shampagne 17-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp (5) fbs in Jul beating Night of Fortune (8-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bonnie Charlie 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, behind, headway under pressure over 1f out, switched right, strong run inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Finjaan (9-0) at Goodwood 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Burning Flute 5-6fav (9-5) Steadied start, held up, hampered over 2f out, hard ridden to lead over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Leicester 6f 2yo hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Amber Sunset (8-3) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Damien (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leader on outside, ridden to lead just over 1f out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul beating Barnezet (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Elnawin 1-2fav (9-3) Prominent, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul beating Outofoil (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Fitz Flyer (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, every chance inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Weatherstaff (9-3) at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Frognal (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Took keen hold tracking leaders, ridden, every chance from over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, nk behind Gyr (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn (2) gd in Jul.
Harwalla (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 23, 2l behind Jargelle (8-6) at Newbury 5f 2yo aut (2) gd in Jul.
Heliodor (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Outofoil (9-3) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs.
Indian Art (IRE) 5-6fav (8-13) Led, headed 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Reve de Soleil (8-10) at Pontefract 6f 2yo stk (3) gd in Jun.
Klynch 15-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 1f out, ran on to lead 100 yards, driven out, won at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp (4) pol beating Black N Brew (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mister Green (FR) 8-11fav (9-7) Held up, ridden when hampered approaching final furlong, no chance after, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Haven't A Clue (8-13) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Noble Jack (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble first two, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Parisian Pyramid (8-1) at Goodwood 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf.
Olympic Dream 7-2 (9-3) In touch, had every chance approaching final furlong, driven and kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Alexander Gulch (9-3) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd.
Ouqba 7-4fav (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged left, ran on well, won at Newmarket 6f nov stk (2) gs in Jul beating Kentish Dream (8-8) by 2l, 5 ran.
Secret Venue 11-8fav (9-3) Chased leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on near finish, won at Thirsk 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jul beating Sea Crest (8-9) by a nk, 8 ran.
Swift Chap 16-1 (8-12) In touch, headway under pressure to chase leading pair inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Sohcahtoa (9-5) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp (2) gf.
Anglezarke (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at York 5f 2yo hcp (3) gf in Jul beating Faraway Sound (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Evelyn May (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Tracked winner on outside, ridden and effort well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and lost 2nd post, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Masamah (9-5) at Lingfield 5f nov stk (5) pol.
Full of Nature 2-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 13l behind Saxford (9-5) at Newcastle 6f nov stk (5) gs in Jun.
