After shaping well at Ripon in July, SHADOW DANCE was a good winner of a competitive handicap at York last month and a 5 lb rise for that effort doesn’t look enough to stop him following up. His strength at the finish last time suggests this step up in trip could unlock even more improvement and the return to an easier surface holds no fears.

Low draws dominated the sprints at last month’s Ebor Festival so MAGNUM FORCE’s second the reposing Tropical Storm has to be marked up significantly having broke from stall 16, with the winner coming from stall 1. He met traffic in-running too after traveling strongly in the rear and he should go close granted a clearer passage this time.

With no Kyprios in opposition this time, this looks a good opportunity for SWEET WILLIAM to get back in the winners enclosure. He drops in class now after two very respectable runs in the Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup and a repeat of those efforts should be enough to land this Group 2.

The Convivial Maidan at York looked a particularly strong renewal this year and WHIRL comes here after a big run to finish fifth there. The only filly in the line-up, her effort can probably be marked up having been stuck out wide for most of the contest and with two runs under her belt now, she can put her experience to use here with her main market rivals all making their debut.

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