Shaman Ghost dents Frosted Classic hopes in Woodward Stakes

Godolphin's Frosted, whose sensational victory in the Met Mile in June made him one of the world's leading performers on Racing Post Ratings, was eased to a top-price 10-1 with Sky Bet for the Breeders' Cup Classic after finishing only third behind Shaman Ghost in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday night.

The four-year-old followed up his Met Mile success with another Grade 1 in the Whitney, and after California Chrome and Arrogate had underlined their Classic credentials recently he was expected to do likewise.

However, the 2-5 favourite did not break cleanly and raced in midfield in the early stages, just off Shaman Ghost. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained four-year-old was forced wide to make his move and while he looked a big danger in the straight he was outpointed by the Jimmy Jerkins-trained 9-1 winner, with stablemate Mubtaahij clinching second.