Shadwell Stakes 2011

2.20 Newbury

Shadwell Stakes (Registered As The Hackwood Stakes) (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £28,355

Pick: Pastoral Player (each/way)

Angel’s Pursuit: Best recent effort since juvenile days when landing 7 AW Handicap in December and not disgraced when eighth in Bunbury Cup but this kind of race is too fast and too good for him nowadays.

Atlantic Sport: Showed smart form with a string of placed efforts in Dubai Carnival early this year and while he was well held in Buckinghamshire Palace Handicap, right back to best when second in Haydock conditions contest; This harder although not ruled out.

Deacon Blues: Progressive throughout last year when third in the Portland and gained deserved big race success when gusty winner of the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (Reopposing Pastoral Player Back in third); Well worth a crack at Group company afterwards and should go well.

Jimmy Styles: Won 6f Listed race at Doncaster earlier this season but had race fitness on his side and never going pace to challenge in Abernant Stakes won by Genki; Similar scenario when unplaced in Jubilee & July Cup and passed over.

Markab: Career best after career best last season, winning the Sprint Cup (smashing track record in process) after several Group placed/ winning efforts; That form entitles him to serious respect but been below form this year so even without penalty there are question marks.

Pastoral Player: High class handicapper who should find bridging the gap into pattern company no problem; Progressive this year, landing Newmarket handicap with plenty to spare before commendable performance on ground that won’t have suited when third in Wokingham; Now 5lbs better off with Deacon Blues and last run can be forgotten thanks to wrong trip/draw; Should go well.

Regal Parade: Last year’s winner of this who went on to land Maurice De Gheest before bumping into high class sorts in Goldikova and Dick Turpin in Foret; Bar second to Delegator in the Duke Of York he’s not been as good this year and that has to raise a question mark.

 Royal Rock: Looked to have a lot more to offer when winning Bengough Stakes but no better than third since, and nearer last than first in the Golden Jubilee.

Cape To Rio: Probably reached peak as a juvenile  but has run well on first two starts this year, notably when 6 lengths second to Elzaam in C&D listed event; Well held in York handicap and more needed here to place even.

Retainer: impressive winner on his Newmarket debut last April (a race which the yard are fond of for their better types) he returned with a workmanlike odds-on victory at Leicester in March (a poor field); Ran an abnormally bad race and can’t be trusted to come straight back to form in deeper waters.

VERDICT: Not an easy choice between two class acts that should win on their best form (Regal Parade & Markab) and two progressive horses that should make the leap (Deacon Blues and PASTORAL PLAYER). Preference is for the latter, who was drawn out of things at Ascot last time and has a 5lbs pull with his Wokingham conqueror.