mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen early, soon in touch, hard ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on, never dangerous
tracked leader, driven to challenge 3f out, soon under pressure and one pace
slowly into stride, keen hold in rear, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
pulled hard in touch, driven over 2f out, soon weakened
led, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
behind, some late headway, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on, never able to challenge
switched right after start, always behind
tracked leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
SHAMALI is a nominal selection in a race where tactics will play a crucial role; progressive three year olds Mabuya and Midnight Cruiser are respected but not many are dismissed with confidence. Around half of this field have either made the running or raced prominently on their most recent starts so something is going to have to give as the jockeys won't want to become embroiled in a battle for the lead. Mabuya was allowed a soft lead at Salisbury but impressed in the manner of his victory and could overcome a 6lb rise. Midnight Cruiser and Shavansky both stayed on resolutely from the front to record successes on their most recent starts and the handicapper hasn't dealt either too harsh a hand. Spell Caster is versatile but has gone up by 4lbs to a career high mark for getting beaten although the form looks solid with the winner going close next time. Road To Love is on the lowest mark of his career but appears to have completely lost his way. King Charles has possibilities having finished on the heels of Shamali at Sandown (when both came from off the pace) although his course and distance victory came from the front. Shamali has had just the five starts and just the one over this trip; he could be open to further improvement and is the hopeful pick.
Snoqualmie Boy 16-1 (8-10) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 15, 9l behind Kingdom Of Fife (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in May.
Spell Caster 8-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, hard ridden on inside over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Cill Rialaig (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 2f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Shavansky 9-2 (9-4) Tracked leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, held on under pressure final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun beating Seeking The Buck (10-0) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ramona Chase 14-1 (9-6) Steadied start, pulled hard, headway and went prominent 8f out, went 2nd over 3f out, until ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 11l behind Fanjura (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Shamali 10-1 (9-4) Behind, headway on inside over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, not troubled leading pair, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Australia Day (9-9) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
Midnight Cruiser (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Left after 1f, pressed over 3f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, pushed out, won at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun beating Something Perfect (8-11) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Road To Love (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased when beaten, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Fanjura (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Black Rain 17-2 (8-11) Held up, brief effort over 2f out, not reached leaders and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 13l behind Invasian (8-4) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Jawaab (IRE) 17-2 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Bold Cross (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Rowan Rio 12-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 10l behind Liberally (9-11) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Mabuya (UAE) 2-1fav (9-7) Made all, drifted left from over 1f out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Peace Corps (9-2) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
King Charles 6-1 (9-9) Held up behind mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 6l behind Australia Day (9-9) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
