chased winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase winner over 2f out, one pace and no impression
held up towards rear, weakened 4f out
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on from over 2f out, no impression
made all, clear over 3f out, pushed out
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
El Alamein, Dream Champion and Som Tala form the shortlist and our selection is El Alamein. Sir Mark Prescott's horse looked a step ahead of the handicapper prior to his flop at Bath behind Stellenbosch and while this has allowed the assessor to have another look, he is up against a number of disappointing types. Call My Number has not achieved all that was anticipated earlier in the year and connections have elected to step up in trip. Mick Channon's gelding is not noted as a particularly great finisher so could be vulnerable close home. Som Tala is a winner over 1m6f at Salisbury. It would be no surprise to see another front-running effort on this occasion. Meadow Mischief finished third in opposition but was eased heavily when beaten. Strategic Mount won easily at Bath over 1m4f and should appreciate the step up in trip. Los Cabos was disappointing on Kempton's polytrack but John Gosden's runners at Nottingham should never be too readily discounted. Sybella is watched in the market on handicap introduction. A tough call with many chances and El Alamein is offered the chance of redemption for a modest recent effort.
Dream Champion Evensfav (9-2) Soon chasing leader, ridden to lead over 3f out, clear 2f out, stayed on, won at Chester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf beating Norman Beckett (8-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Los Cabos (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 6th of 8, 6l behind Acrobatic (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Sybella 7-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden 4f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Peppertree (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf.
Meadow Mischief (FR) 3-1 (9-7) Chased leader, lost position after 4f, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance 1f out, hung right and eased final furlong, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Som Tala (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Strategic Mount 9-4 (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear 1f out, comfortably, won at Bath 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun beating Is It Me (8-11) by 4l, 7 ran.
El Alamein (IRE) 4-6fav (8-8) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Stellenbosch (8-12) at Bath 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) frm in Jun.
Som Tala 11-1 (9-4) Led, shaken up and quickened over 3f out, headed 3f out, with leader until rallied gamely and led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Salisbury 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Liberate (9-0) by 1l, 4 ran.
