This looks a good opportunity for SHAWS DIAMOND who is nominated over Pearl of Manacor and Naheell. The selection is a lightly-raced filly and she lost no caste in defeat last time out when she chased home Dream Date. She shapes as though this step-up in trip will suit and rates as a confident choice. Pearl Of Manacor won his maiden in decent style over 6f last time and he is another who shapes as though this extra yardage will suit. He appears to be on an upward curve and it will be interesting to see how he gets on today on his handicap debut. Naheell is another making his handicap debut and he is clearly a nice colt, but he does have a short absence to overcome here and he may be sharper for the run. Tinshu won well last time over this course and distance so we know for certain that she gets this trip. However, we prefer the claims of Shaws Diamond who should prove tough to beat.
Alexander Gulch (USA) 15-8 (9-5) Close up, ridden halfway, beaten from 3 out, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Kind Heart (8-7) at Southwell 1m nov stk (5) fbs in Nov.
Doncosaque (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Barwell Bridge (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Orsippus (USA) 7-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up, effort 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Poster (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f nov aut stk (5) pol in Sept.
Shaws Diamond (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Keen and soon in touch, chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Dream Date (8-9) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Pearl of Manacor (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden and bumped over 3f out, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan beating Gurteen Diamond (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Tinshu (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, pressed leader, led 3f out, ridden clear well over 1f out, soon edged left, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan beating Barwell Bridge (9-3) by 1l, 10 ran.
Naheell 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, led approaching 4f out, ridden when headed over 1f out, weakened, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Gitano Hernando (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
