dwelt, in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
keen, with leader until over 4f out, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
close up, tracked leader over 4f out, challenged leader from over 1f out, soon every chance, driven inside final furlong, led final stride
led, ridden over 1f out, headed post
SHABIB is narrowly preferred here to Secret Society. Barry Hills has started this season with a bang and he has another likely lad here in Shabib. A half-brother to Zifaaf who won over a mile as a three-year-old, the selection has two bold sighters to his name in decent maidens at both Newbury and Newmarket and he can continue his progression with a win in this easier race. Secret Society is a son of the Australian sire Exceed And Excel and improved from first to second runs last season. Plenty must be thought of him considering he started at 8/11 on his debut and this half-brother to Mastership is likely to improve this year now stepped up to this sort of trip. Danies Boy made a pleasing start to his career when fourth to Seek N' Destroy at Kempton. That looked a decent race although with the winner trained by Barry Hills one would assume that he knows where he stands saddling Shabib today. Highgate Cat is likely to be seen to better effect in handicaps, comments that also apply to Bright Wire. Newcomer Watch Amigo completes the line-up and this Royal Applause colt has fetched more each time he has been sold. A competitive heat but it is Shabib who can lead them home.
Bright Wire (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) In rear, soon pushed along, lost touch over 2f out, last of 9, 30l behind Aahaykid (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Sept.
Danies Boy (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong and finished well, 4th of 14, 2l behind Seek N' Destroy (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
Secret Society 13-2 (9-3) In touch, chased winner over 1f out, not pace to challenge final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Galpin Junior (9-3) at Folkestone 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Shabib (USA) 11-8fav (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Film Set (9-3) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Highgate Cat 14-1 (8-12) Steadied to rear, keen, held up, ran green, ridden over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 10l behind Head Down (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
