A Cut Below

With half of the field–which is also the better half–assembled for Friday’s G2 Sandown Mile already gelded, this division, which boasts no Kingman (GB) or the like, is desperately lacking a star turn and so the way open for some lesser lights to enjoy the spotlight. Best of this pack on last year’s form is Gary Douglas and Pat Breslin’s Custom Cut (Ire) (Notnowcato {GB}), the G3 Desmond S., G3 Strensall S. and G2 Joel S. winner who was one of several to highlight the expertise of his conditioner David O’Meara in 2014. Soundly beaten when eighth on his last start in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot on Champions Day, the 6-year-old is burdened with a penalty here alongside the G2 Oettingen-Rennen and G2 Challenge S. scorer Here Comes When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Of the entires, Elaine Chivers and Potensis Bloodstock’s Shifting Power (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) holds the most impressive form on the basis of his second in last year’s G1 Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh, but he has a question mark over him following his latest eighth in Goodwood’s G3 Thoroughbred S. in August. 

“We think Shifting Power has the ability to win a Group 1 this season and this looks the perfect starting-point,” trainer Richard Hannon said. “He was probably 3 pounds short of the top grade last season, but he is a big colt who needed to fill his frame and he did really well physically through the winter. His form is rock-solid and, while he has been off since Goodwood, he has done plenty and worked well for Hughesie on Tuesday and again did a sharp breeze yesterday, so he is ready to roll.”