tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well in inside final furlong, finished well
steadied start, held up and behind, headway on inside from 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish
took keen hold, tracked leaders in 5th, effort on outside and ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f and soon hung right
settled well in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway to chase leaders from 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd from inside final furlong, not reach winner
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed just inside final 2f, chased winner to inside final furlong, faded towards finish
tracked leaders, challenged from 3f out, led just inside final 2f, driven and in command final furlong, stayed on strongly
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong
slowly away, held up last, struggling over 2f out
An interesting Conditions race can go to Shabernak, with New South Wales and Barolo rated as his biggest dangers. The selection has returned in good heart this season and his battling second to the very useful Day Flight at York last time marks him down as the one to beat today. Barolo looked useful last season but could well need this run following a stressful journey to Australia last autumn, although his stable has been among the winners this week. New South Wales and Massif Centrale remain interesting this season, particularly the former, who is lightly raced and well-regarded by his powerful stable. However, the one for us today is Shabernak.
Barolo 4-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, closed steadily from 5f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out final furlong, held on, won at Salisbury 1m 6f stk (C2) gd in Sept beating Grampian (9-1) by a nk, 7 ran.
Compton Bolter (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, headway 3f out, chasing leaders but one pace when not much room approaching final furlong, no extra, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Wolfe Tone (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f lst stk (1) frm.
Massif Centrale 40-1 (8-9) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 9, 18l behind Franklins Gardens (8-10) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gs.
Albinus 10-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, driven and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 5, 12l behind Persian Lightning (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3f lst stk (1) gd.
Howle Hill (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 6th of 9, 3l behind Wolfe Tone (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f lst stk (1) frm.
New South Wales 20-1 (9-0) In touch on inside until steadily lost place from 5f out, 10th of 13, well behind Papineau (9-0) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (A) gf in Jun.
Shabernak (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Day Flight (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs.
Strength 'n Honour 20-1 (9-7) Held up behind, struggling well over 2f out, 7th of 8, 13l behind Land 'n Stars (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (C1) pol in Mar.
