led and set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden and joined inside final furlong, outpaced to 3rd final 100 yards, dropped to 4th near finish
tracked leading trio on rail, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, soon ridden and hung left, no impression inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader until 1f out, one pace when not clear run inside final furlong, no danger after
started slowly, held up last, ridden over 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on, went 3rd near finish, not pace to reach leading pair
held up in 5th, switched right to outside over 1f out, ran on and quickened under hands and heels to lead final 100 yards
tracked leading pair, headway to 2nd 1f out, upsides and every chance when hung left inside final furlong, not pace of winner final 100 yards
SHAMALI is expected to improve considerably on his reappearance and land this valuable prize from Proponent and Sandor. The selection has needed his first outing of the season in the past and that certainly seemed to be the case when he lined up at Newmarket in April over a mile. He ran well over that inadequate trip and should be nearing full fitness now and appeals as one to keep on side. Sandor was a length and one place behind that day and duly stepped up on the run when he was third behind Follow The Flag back at the same venue. He meets that rival on 3lbs better terms for a length and he's expected to go close. Follow The Flag is in fine form but could just be found out at this level and Proponent may emerge as a bigger danger. He was comfortably beaten by Shamali at Ascot last season and may be better in a larger field but he performs to a consistently high level. December Draw has improved on the all-weather and needs to confirm that he can be as effective on turf which is no problem for the tough Shavansky.
Shamali 5-1fav (9-5) Fly jumped start, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on same from over 1f out, 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Tartan Gigha (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf.
December Draw (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Chased leaders until weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Kings Destiny (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Proponent (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Roman's Run (8-12) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-105 in Feb.
Shavansky 16-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up in last place, headway through horses from over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, soon joined, ran on, held on well, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) fm in Apr beating Sam Sharp (8-7) by ns, 9 ran.
Sandor 9-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, driven and hung left inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Held up, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead towards finish, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Sohcahtoa (9-1) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
