Shadwell Joel Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 36.89s

(1)

Accidental Agent⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 116| C| D

8/1

Shock 33/1 winner of the Group One Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot but couldn't get competitive next in French Group One. Probably flattered to have won at top level with market principles all flopping and penalty makes life tough here.

Form: 48-3610

(2)

Mustashry¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 112| D

15/8

Steadily progressive gelding the perfect example of his master trainer's patient approach and gained first success at this level latest in 7f Doncaster contest. Penalty for that but has to be considered a big player and 1m suits even better.

Form: 117-121

(5)

Zabeel Prince¹³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 109| D

10/3

Three-time winner last season took a Doncaster Listed race first time out this season before flopping in Group One Lockinge when not unfancied. Long absence since suggests something amiss so fitness now a doubt after the break.

Form: 1110-10

(3)

Zonderland³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 109| D

13/2

Outclassed in first two starts this campaign including Queen Anne won by Accidental Agent (last of 15). Not beaten far last twice with Group Three third and Group Two second but still has a bit to prove at this level.

Form: 28-0034

(4)

Regal Reality²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 109| BF| D

11/4

Lightly raced three-year-old won a 1m Goodwood Group Three in third start before third at the same level on heavy ground at Haydock under a penalty. Return to better ground should suit and Goodwood win was very taking so has to be considered.

Form: 1-613

Forecasts

Mustashry (15/8), Regal Reality (11/4), Zabeel Prince (10/3), Zonderland (13/2), Accidental Agent (8/1)

Sir Michael Stoute has won this race three times and he holds all of the aces here with MUSTASHRY and Regal Reality the most likely pair. The former, a Group Two winner last time out gets the vote despite a penalty and everything points to him being the one they all have to beat. Regal Reality looked well worth stepping up again in class when winning a Goodwood Group Three in taking style and he has only had four races so remains open to improvement. Accidental Agent can't be ruled out given he is a Group One winner this season but he carries a 5lb penalty for that success here.