slowly into stride soon mid-division ridden 3f out, no impression from over 1f out
led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led soon after start headed after 2f, stayed prominent until lost touch and in rear over 4f out
prominent, tracked leader over 4f out, led 3f out, hard pressed and headed over 1f out, rallied near finish, just held
in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f
led early, stayed prominent, ridden to challenge 2f out, led over 1f out, hard pressed final furlong, held on gamely under pressure, all out
Mashaahed can win this renewal of the Brigardier Gerard Stakes at the main expense of Tam Lin and Mighty. The selection was only beaten two lengths behind Breeders Cup Turf winner Red Rock on his reappearance and having come on for that run, he could be hard to beat. He handles soft ground well and he has a very promising year as a four-year-old ahead of him. He beat Papal Bull at Chester last year on ground too quick for him really and with conditions fine today, he gets the confident vote with Martin Dwyer taking over from Richard Hills. Mighty is another who should be at home on this ground being by Pivotal and is one of the most consistent horses in training. He still looks progressive and cannot be ruled out. Papal Bull has a Group Two penalty to contend with and may be vulnerable off top weight on this ground although he has plenty of ability. Pinpoint steps up from handicap company and cannot be ruled out given his progression of late, whilst Road To Love and Take A Bow must be considered but may just be outclassed. Tam Lin is of interest and is bred to get better with age, however the stable have not quite hit top gear yet and he may need the run. A competitive renewal in which Mashaahed gets the confident selection.
Papal Bull 9-4fav (9-1) Tracked leader until 8f out, remained prominent, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 5, 6l behind Sixties Icon (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Tam Lin 9-4 (8-12) Held up last, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon driven and flashed tail, headed 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Blue Monday (9-6) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Fire And Rain (FR) 6-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 33l behind Degas Art (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in Sept.
Mashaahed 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort on inside 2f out, driven and stayed on under pressure to take 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Red Rocks (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Mighty 9-1 (8-12) Set steady gallop, quicken pace over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied and stayed on close home, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Sixties Icon (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Pinpoint (IRE) 10-3fav (9-10) Held up in touch, led approaching final furlong, soon ridden, headed post, 2nd of 16, shd behind Supaseus (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf.
Take A Bow 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, driven to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish but always just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Army of Angels (9-2) at Windsor 1m lst stk (1) gs.
