took keen hold, tracked leader, shaken up to challenge 2f out, driven to lead and edged left over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
led and pushed along at various stages, quickened 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
started slowly and ran green, always last, driven and no response over 2f out, eased when no chance over 1f out
tracked leading pair, outpaced and pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, pushed along and stayed on towards finish
GENERAL SYNOD has a Racing Post Trophy entry and may answer punters' prayers this time around having been turned over as favourite on debut at Newbury in a race where the front two pulled nicely clear of the third who has won since. Richard Hughes rides the Queen's colt in preference to Cai Shen who has to give weight away all round following victory at Sandown where he scored in good fashion. He's closely matched at the weights with Diamond Penny who ran on strongly to land the odds at Newmarket and should improve. Andrew Balding has a good record with his juveniles here but it would be no surprise if Billy Buttons were to need his initial experience with similar comments applying to Mantoba and Zain Shamardal although the market will be revealing and Brian Meehan's pair boast a raft of big race entries between them.
Cai Shen (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Made all, in command over 1f out, pushed along and stayed on strongly final furlong, unchallenged, won at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug beating Noonenose (9-3) by 2l, 14 ran.
Diamond Penny (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Aug beating Auden (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Mantoba Noverre colt out of Coming Home.
Zain Shamardal (IRE) Shamardal colt out of Novelina.
Billy Buttons Act One gelding out of Dolce Thundera.
General Synod 5-4fav (9-3) In touch, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong and stayed on to close on winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Treasury Devil (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug.
