Classy performer can defy big penalty

Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes

3.00 Newmarket

Mustashryhas been absent since failing to stay in the Eclipse Stakes. He has the maximum 5lb penalty for his victory against a host of Group 1 winners in the Lockinge Stakes, in which former winners were placed 12260. The drop back in trip isn’t a problem, but testing ground might be. However, all his rivals are what would be termed as good-ground horses and it is interesting he runs in this race rather than being entered for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes next week.

Shine So Bright beat Laurens and a quality field in the Group 2 City Of York Stakes and has the 3lb penalty successfully carried by Strong Suit in 2011. Odds-on when fourth in the Park Stakes, he is better than that as he had beaten Sir Dancealot at York. Earlier on he won the European Free Handicap, which gives him a similar profile to Red Jazz and Stimulation. His dam acted well on soft ground and his age group hold their own against their elders with the score level at 20-20 over the past four decades.