keen hold, tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, hard ridden 2f out, driven and went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with easy winner
tracked leader, challenged 3f out, led 2f out, soon clear easily
held up, always last, pushed along over 3f out, soon no chance, eased when beaten final 1f
led at decent pace, pushed along over 3f out, driven and headed 2f out, soon no chance with winner and lost 2nd over 1f out
SHAMALI is marginally preferred to Sopranist and Proponent but there's little to choose between the contenders. The Cayterers has delivered on each of his last three starts and brings reasonable claims to the table but this is a tougher contest than the ones he's been winning and he's opposed. Just Lille also looks set to have to settle for a minor role in this grade which leaves just three runners. Proponent didn't achieve the heights that were once hoped for but he has made up into a useful handicapper, albeit one with a rather hit and miss profile with three wins and just one placed effort from sixteen starts. Sopranist beat a well regarded newcomer in Native Ruler on debut in April before disappointing in Listed company the following month. There was plenty to like about his handicap bow behind a progressive sort on his return and he's a nice prospect. However, we're going to side with Willie Haggas' charge who appealed as a horse to keep on side when winning a handicap at the track last time. He appears to have decent tactical speed so Richard Hills should be able to track the pace before unleashing his turn of foot which could be the weapon that wins Shamali this battle.
Proponent (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Keen, close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Alazeyab (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Shamali 7-2 (9-8) Slowly into stride, keen hold in rear, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Mabuya (8-8) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
The Cayterers 9-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway between horses 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven, stayed on well and always holding on, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Resurge (10-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Just Lille (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Led early, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, unable to quicken when not much room on far rail inside final furlong, one pace, 7th of 15, 8l behind Red Merlin (8-10) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (2) gf.
Sopranist 16-1 (9-6) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, pressed winner from over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Laaheb (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
