held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reached winner
led, headed over 3f out, stayed prominent until led again over 2f out, soon ridden, edged right and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, lost place 5f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, keen and soon with leaders, led over 8f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride and held up, headway over 3f out, hard ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
held up mid-division, headway over 5f out, weakened and ridden over 2f out
Shaaban is the pick over Noble Mind, with Zaffeu, Efrhina and Lazzaz others that have shown enough to merit inclusion on the short-list. It is interesting that Richard Price steps Shaaban up in trip again here as one or two pundits reckoned that the gelding did not see out the 12-furlong trip here last time when second to Double Royal, and as he had earlier been successful over nine furlongs here at Dunstal Park, they may have a point. However, his handler has plenty of experience with staying sorts, and if he thinks he will stay, then that is good enough for us. Noble Mind has tried further over hurdles and did run on when touched off by Screenplay over a mile-and-a-half here, while Zaffeu is yet another that tries further after being found wanting just of late. Lazzaz could not cope with the heavy ground at Bath and is also worth considering, but we are happy to recommend Shaaban to small stakes.
Sian Thomas 10-1 Slowly away, always behind, eased when no chance final furlong, 12th of 14, 12l behind Turnstile at Kempton 1m 6f hcp gd.
Noble Mind 4-1 In touch, ridden to lead just over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Screenplay at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (D3) pol in Mar.
Efrhina (IRE) 7-2 Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Vanbrugh at Southwell 1m 3f hcp fbs in Apr.
Shaaban (IRE) 3-1 Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and led 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Double Royal at W'hampton 1m 4f clm pol in Apr.
Not Amused (UAE) 2-1fav Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Be Wise Girl at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp pol in Apr.
Establishment 8-1 Held up, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, virtually pulled up, 10th of 12, well behind Vicars Destiny at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp sft in Apr.
Lazzaz 14-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, led inside final furlong, headed soon after, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Sovietta at Bath 1m 4f hcp hvy.
Zaffeu 4-1 Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Be Wise Girl at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp pol in Apr.
