held up in rear, switched left to wide outside 2f out, good headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, almost snapped 2nd
made all, in command when shaken up and clear over 1f out
took keen hold tracking leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, took keen hold and held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out until over 1f out, stayed on
broke well and prominent, soon dropped to 5th, headway 4f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, hard driven 2f out and soon beaten
chased leaders in 4th, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased winner throughout, hard ridden 2f out, well held over 1f out, just held on for 2nd
Nonrunner
With three last time out winners in the field of eight this looks competitive but Shabahar may be able to record back to back successes over course and distance. The selection has been raised by 5lbs for that success to a mark of seventy but he was rated in the late eighties just over a year ago when plying his trade in Ireland. Thus he looks well handicapped now that he's recaptured his form although he does appear to need a strong pace to show his best form. That will hopefully come from either Prime Number, who led from pillar to post at Kempton, or from Saviour Sand who often races keenly and may well be set alight by the blinkers that he wears for the first time. Press The Button is well treated at present and should get his head in front again but Artreju found precious little when put under pressure last time and may not be one to trust. That comment also applies to Aegean Prince who has plenty of ability but has looked increasingly difficult to win with. Flying Applause is related to winners at this trip and may well have improved for his reappearance over seven but Night Orbit has more solid claims following his win at Newbury. He's only gone up by 4lbs for that success and should have more to offer after just five starts. He's a well bred individual who warrants the utmost respect but Shabahar may prove too savvy for him this afternoon.
Aegean Prince 3-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Valrhona (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Press The Button (GER) 7-2 (9-7) Close up, effort over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Dakiyah (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Saviour Sand (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 15, 21l behind Ben Chorley (9-1) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Shabahar (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Princess Lavinia (9-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Prime Number (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, soon driven clear, fading near finish, won at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp (4) pol beating Show Winner (9-4) by 2l, 11 ran.
Night Orbit 20-1 (10-8) Soon chased leaders on outer, pushed along 4f out, headway to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Newbury 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gs beating Western Roots (9-12) by a nk, 12 ran.
Flying Applause 9-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 14, 11l behind Blue Sky Basin (9-7) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Artreju (GER) 11-2 (9-2) Towards rear, headway 4f out, slightly hampered 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Prime Number (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp (4) pol.
