went right and bumped start, tracked leaders, ridden and not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked leader, pushed along and weakened over 1f out
went left and bumped start, led and keen, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, smooth headway over 2f out on outside, led on bit over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, ran on well
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, always well held, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
A cracking little race this, with plenty showing good recent form, and marginal preference is for CABAL ahead of William Van Gogh and Soorah. Sir Michael Stoute's filly has yet to finish out of the first three in her five races to date, and although a little disappointing last time out, she looks worth persisting with. She's a tenacious sort and may relish a speed duel at the finish. William Van Gogh is related to plenty of winners and is in handicap company for the first time; he may be a little high in the weights for what he's shown so far though. Soorah looked like a progressive filly with more to come when winning last time out at Chepstow, and seems generously treated by the handicapper. The Shuffler improved with good schooling over the winter from an at best modest two year old, with two wins and two places from four runs this season. He certainly deserves consideration Support for Poor Prince would be interesting, given his lay-off and this being his handicap debut, but we'll support Cabal.
William Van Gogh 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leader until 2f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 6l behind Sour Mash (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Cabal 11-10fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Mejd (9-6) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Poor Prince 6-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 16, 8l behind Mufarrh (9-0) at Leicester 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Oct.
Bin Shamardal (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, switched right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, not much room and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Silver Rime (10-0) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Sooraah 5-2fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, effort when not clear run over 1f out, squeezed through to lead inside final furlong, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 1m fll hcp (5) gf beating My Sister (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
The Shuffler 6-4fav (9-0) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, switched right 2f out, edged left and chased leader 1f out, driven to lead final strides, won at Chepstow 1m 3yo stk 0-70 (5) gd in Jun beating White Dart (9-0) by hd, 7 ran.
Abhar (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Raced wide, tracked leaders, lost a couple of places 5f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, hampered inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Queen Of Wands (8-10) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
