1216- Ashram 196 
3 9-0 Saeed Bin Suroor 50 L Dettori
115 128 128
Took big step forward on first two efforts, which included July course maiden win, when winning Group 3 in emphatic style here in October and then close sixth in the Dewhurst after having to challenge wide in race which favoured those who raced handily; subsequently left John Hills for Godolphin who won this race in 1996 and 1999 but have much less inspiring record in it since.
Highly progressive as juvenile when runner-up in the Royal Lodge and suggested he had trained on well when runner-up in the Greenham a fortnight ago; will be suited by this return to 1m but needs deal of further improvement now tackling quick ground for first time.
Done all his racing at Newmarket, acquitting himself with great credit against much more battle-hardened rivals when close fifth in the Dewhurst after having to challenge wide; justified very bullish reports about his progress this spring when making impressive return in the Craven Stakes over C&D, coming from last to first to swamp rivals for speed; that not the strongest of contests but looks high-class prospect.
Progressed really well last autumn, making all for fast-ground 7f maiden success here in October before adding another win from the front on soft ground in Group 3 at Newbury, looking likely to score by big margin before conditions took their toll late on; interesting contender for trainer who has an outstanding record in this race and return to quick ground will suit, but preparation for this has not gone like clockwork.
Showed 7f within reach when coming out third best in desperate finish to the Dewhurst last October after his Molecomb success but hard to view today´s extra furlong in positive light judged on pedigree and Richard Hills opts for Ouqba.
Marked improvement with every run as juvenile, beating Masterofthehorse (later close third to Sea The Stars in the Beresford) in good style in 1m fast-ground maiden at Naas in July and then close second to Soul City dropped to 7f in Goffs Million, with subsequent Dewhurst winner and stable-companion Intense Focus third; surely very significant he represents yard (which also houses Greenham winner Vocalised) here and very much unexposed.
Bred to stay 1m but better form last year at 6f than 7f when 50-1 winner of Doncaster Listed event in October; tailed-off last in the Craven on return and flying much too high here.
Acquitted himself well at top table in first season which started as soon as April but saw him win the Mill Reef and go agonisingly close in the Dewhurst in the autumn; way he finished in latter event suggests he should stay this far but surely others inthis field who have the greater scope for improvement.
Likely connections went to the well once too often when losing his unbeaten record in the Grand Criterium but his victories in the Phoenix Stakes (6f fast gound) and National Stakes (gruelling 7f test in the mud) were enough to earn him top spot on the European Free Handicap; likely to stay 1m and clearly goes well on quick ground but seemingly been superceded by Rip Van Winkle in the Ballydoyke pecking order.
Half-brother to Eclipse winner Mount Nelson out of a Sun Chariot heroine so all the pedigree one could want and took major step forward on useful juvenile form when pipped in valuable 1m2f sales race at the Craven meeting; drop back to 1m ought not to bea problem but further progress clearly called for.
Improved markedly on 1m2f Kempton auction maiden win in December when making successful return under enterprising ride in 1m Listed race at Lingfield four weeks ago, but still has vast amount more to find to make an impact at this level now back on turf.
Freegoing sort and stamina ran out in closing stages when only fourth of five in 1m1f Listed event at the Craven meeting; has won over C&D but at a much lower level and judged on way he ran when third in Royal Lodge, no surprise if 7f turned out to suit him better.
Improved form when decisive winner of 7f Free Handicap on reappearance, settling better than many; interesting that he has been supplemented and Richard Hills prefers him to Finjaan who had finished well ahead when they both contested the Dewhurst, but form so far well short of a potential Guineas winner and one of most experienced in this field.
Stepped up on 2yo form when narrow winner from Shampagne (who runs in 5.30) in Kempton Listed event on return but no match for Delegator when third in Craven five days later and hard to see him boosting trainer´s good record in this Classic.
Went off short-priced favourite for the Dewhurst after decisive success over smart filly Cuis Ghaire in 7f Leopardstown Group 3 three months earlier but quickly found himself way too far off the pace from high draw and did well to get within couple of lengths of the winner although only seventh of 13; much better than that bare form indicates and looks main hope for yard that has won this five times in the last 11 years, despite this week´s stone bruise scare.
Top-class pedigree, out of Arc winner who has produced three Group/Grade 1 winners, headed by Galileo; looked excellent prospect himself too last year when beating some smart sorts in good finish to the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last September but another who has been the subject of mixed messages this spring; yet to race on faster than good (should be effective on it).
Probably found stamina stretched over 1m2f on final juvenile start and drop back to distance of his narrow win in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud will suit, but seemed a case of more testing the ground the better so big doubts about suitability of today´s conditions on return.
