held up, progress into 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, just held for 2nd
disputed early, soon chased leader, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no extra
slowly into stride and rear, ridden 2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, progress into 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong and pressed for 2nd
held up, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, eased inside final furlong
soon led, challenged 2f out, ridden to assert 1f out, kept on well final furlong
Bubbly Bellini has a very stiff task at the weights as does Master Speaker though the latter has more scope having raced just five times. Dandy Boy, whose last victory was in the 2012 Wokingham, continued to race at a high level last season and though failing to score he generally performed with credit. He could just need this, however, so NOCTURNAL AFFAIR looks the one to be on. David Marnane's charge hasn't won since Meydan in February 2012 but he's also raced in much better company and has the benefit of a recent run behind the promising Guerre at Naas where Scream Blue Murder was a couple of lengths behind. The latter didn't look at her best that day but had finished in front of both Dandy Boy and the selection at the Curragh last summer so has to rate a big threat. Morning Frost had some smart form in France but hasn't got her act together for new connections so far.
Bubbly Bellini (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 5l behind Sun On The Run (9-11) at Tipperary 7f stks sft in Apr.
Cliffords Reprieve 50-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 20l behind Valdaw (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan '13.
Dandy Boy (ITY) 8-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 6l behind Top Notch Tonto (9-3) at Redcar 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Oct.
Master Speaker (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along 2f out and soon short of room, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f hcp gd.
Nocturnal Affair (SAF) 20-1 (9-9) Chased leaders in far side group to 2f out where 5th, no impression under pressure in moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Guerre (9-0) at Naas 5f Listed stks (1) in Apr.
Morning Frost (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 10, 6l behind Flying Jib (8-11) at Curragh 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) gd.
Scream Blue Murder (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Chased leaders in near side group to 2f out where 7th, no impression under pressure in moderate 6th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Guerre (9-0) at Naas 5f Listed stks (1) in Apr.
