Verdict

Robert Cowell will be hoping Jwala holds his form after the latter returned a shock 40/1 winner in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Soft ground may not be ideal, however, and Nunthorpe third Sole Power could also struggle on the surface. The latter was well beaten in last year's renewal along with Spirit Quartz. Mirza dead-heated for first with Dibajj in last month's trial over track and trip with Catcall only a neck behind in third and that trio are hard to separate while MAAREK beat Kingsgate Native and Stepper Point in soft ground at Newbury last time. He'd earlier finished second to compatriot Cape Of Approval at Cork but a low draw has been an advantage here in recent years and Barry Lalor's sprinter gets the vote. Dutch Masterpiece got the better of Hamza at the Curragh in August and Reckless Abandon could figure if back to his best.

Formwatch

Hamza (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Chased leaders center until merged with stand side halfway, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 15th of 26, 10l behind Highland Colori (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.

Kingsgate Native (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Raced centre, held up in touch, headway over 1f out, pressed leaders well inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Maarek (9-0) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.

Myasun (FR) 12-1 (9-1) won at Deauville(FR) 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug beating Tulips (8-11) by nk, 16 ran.

Stepper Point 14-1 (9-0) Raced centre, tracked leader, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed final 125 yards, lost 2 places in closing stages, 4th of 13, 2l behind Maarek (9-0) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.

Ballesteros 25-1 (9-0) Raced centre, held up, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, no extra in closing stages, 5th of 13, 2l behind Maarek (9-0) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.

Dutch Masterpiece 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, headway between horses under 1f out, led close home, won at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug beating Hamza (9-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.

Cape Of Approval (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Soon chased leaders, 9th halfway, impeded a little from over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong without quite getting there, 6th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Russian Soul (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.

Maarek 9-2 (9-0) Raced centre, held up in rear, pushed along halfway, good headway between horses over 1f out, strong run to lead final 125 yards, won going away, won at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep beating York Glory (9-0) by 1l, 13 ran.

Mirza 11-1 (8-12) won at Longchamp(FR) 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep deadheating with Dibajj (8-8), 9 ran.

Gammarth (FR) (9-4) 2nd of 13, 3l behind Giant Sandman (9-4) at Baden-Baden(GER) 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.

Reckless Abandon 4-1 (8-12) Prominent, led halfway, soon hung left, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 19, 2 1/4l behind Sole Power (9-4) at Royal Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.

Sole Power 4-1 (9-11) Held up and behind, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 3rd close home and closed on 2nd, not reach winner, 3rd of 17, 3/4l behind Jwala (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.

Spirit Quartz (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Prominent near side rail, ridden well over 1f out, soon beaten, 13th of 17, 6l behind Jwala (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.

Justineo 4-1fav (9-11) Made all and overall leader centre, kept on well and edged right inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 5f listed stks (1) gs in Sep beating Masamah (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.

Catcall (FR) 2-1fav (9-2) 3rd of 9, shd behind Mirza (8-12) at Longchamp(FR) 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.

Kingsgate Choice (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 1l behind Dutch Masterpiece (9-3) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.

Dibajj (FR) 4-1 (8-8) won at Longchamp(FR) 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep deadheating with Mirza (8-12), 9 ran.

Ladies Are Forever 6-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 12, ns behind Hallelujah (8-9) at York 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Sep.

Jwala 40-1 (9-8) Always prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug beating Shea Shea (9-11) by 1/2l, 17 ran.

Tickled Pink (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Raced centre, chased leaders, pushed laong halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4l behind Maarek (9-0) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.