slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway on outer from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leading pair
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out until 1f out, soon weakened
led, clear from over 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed towards finish
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor
towards rear, never a factor
slowly into stride, in rear, driven and kept on final furlong, never near leaders
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
chased leader until over 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
held up in touch, headway 2f out, ridden and chased leader 1f out, ran on strongly to lead towards finish
towards rear, raced wide, headway on outer from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
Arguably the trickiest race on the card to fathom out, with the biggest field, but we'll side with the hat-trick chasing SHABIB, while respecting the claims too of Lindoro and Film Set. The Hills combo won the corresponding race two years ago, and Shabib comes here in the rudest of health and form after winning on handicap debut last time out after breaking his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking. He justified favouritism then, and is handily weighted here, and is the least exposed of the scheduled 14 runners. He doesn't have any fancy entries at the moment, but looks the progressive sort, as he steps up in class. First time headgear may help Lindoro who's become frustrating to follow, and who's without a win in more than a year. His rating's starting to fall, but he'll still racing off a four pound higher mark than his last win, and he's at the top end here. Godolphin's Film Set's form may look better on paper than his actual efforts, but he's well in at the weights, despite having the highest official rating. Richard Hannon's The Snatcher is the only course and distance winner in the field but that was three years ago. We'll support the horse in-form though, and that's Shabib.
Spirit of Sharjah (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Raced stands' side, soon in touch on outside of group, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 22, 7l behind Johannes (9-0) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Lindoro 3-1fav (9-7) Held up, in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind More Time Tim (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jul.
Guilded Warrior 6-1 (9-9) Led early, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, edged left and headed near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Spirit Of Sharjah (10-0) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Mujood 25-1 (9-4) Never going well, ridden along on outside over 3f out, always behind, 10th of 15, 7l behind Axiom (9-4) at Goodwood 7f stks 0-95 (2) gd in Jul.
Maxwil 40-1 (8-6) Slowly away, held up in rear, short lived effort on outside 3f out, 10th of 11, 9l behind Emerald Wilderness (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Gallantry 9-1 (8-13) Chased leading pair to 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Tudor Key (8-9) at Lingfield 1m stks 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
The Snatcher (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) In rear, well beaten final 3f, 16th of 18, 34l behind Marajaa (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Wellington Square 13-2 (9-8) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, looking for room over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong but no impression, 7th of 18, 4l behind Marajaa (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Film Set (USA) 7-2fav (8-9) Took keen hold, settled 2nd, led narrowly 5f out, strongly pressed and kept on gamely throughout final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Tudor Key (8-9) at Lingfield 1m stks 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
South Cape 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, clipped heels, stumbled and unseated rider just over 4f out, in a race won by Marajaa (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul, 18 ran.
Shabib (USA) 10-3fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, lead inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul beating Invincible Isle (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Spate River 4-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Alexander Huricane (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Prime Exhibit 5-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 7, 12l behind Cobo Bay (9-8) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Jul.
Thief of Time (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride behind, headway to chase leaders 2f out, brief effort well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Clerk's Choice (8-10) at Sandown 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
