held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner
held up, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
made all, quickened over 3f out, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders, driven over 4f out, soon under pressure, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chasing leader when hung left over 1f out, no extra closing stages
Mark Johnston sent out last year’s winner but Communique has a tough task confirming last month’s handicap form at Newmarket with the runner-up Zaaki re-opposing on much better terms. The latter should go close and the unexposed Elwazir will likely prove popular having won a handicap at Ascot last month. But FAJJAJ (NAP) finished second in the German 2000 Guineas back in May and found only a couple of higher rated rivals too good in a Listed contest at Newbury last time. Hugo Palmer’s colt gets another chance today with Brorocco preferred of the older horses on his recent good effort in a Group 2 at York.
Brorocco 12-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, switched right and headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, led towards finish, headed last strides, 2nd of 7, nk behind Thundering Blue (9-6) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jul.
Gabrial (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up last, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden on outside over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on, almost snatched 2nd, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Zhui Feng (9-6) at Windsor 1m lst stks (1) gf in Jun.
Teodoro (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Held up, wide and headway 3f out, soon edged left, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 3 3/4l behind Rainbow Rebel (8-11) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Communique (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Mid-division on inside, headway on bit 3f out, went 2nd approaching 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Zaman (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Elwazir 11-8fav (9-8) Tracked leader, slightly hampered over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear, ran on well, won at Ascot 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jul beating Extra Elusive (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Fajjaj (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, kept on and lost 2nd place when no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Emotionless (9-6) at Newbury 1m 2f lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
Zaaki 4-1 (9-7) Slowly away towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, shd behind Communique (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
