held up, in touch, not clear run 2f out, to inside final furlong, switched left, ran on
pressed leaders to 2f out, hard ridden and one paced final furlong
close up behind leaders, dropped towards rear after 2f, hard ridden, ran on final furlong
started slowly, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
with leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven clear final 100 yards
prominent to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly
not in line start, hopelessly left
facing wrong way start, hopelessly left
started slowly, in rear, headway 2f out, never near to trouble leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led narrowly, ridden 2f out, stayed on until headed inside final furlong
started slowly, in rear, hung badly left 2f out to centre of course, soon beaten
Richard Hannon's If Paradise made a winning return over today's trip in a Listed handicap at Haydock in April, and seemed not to stay six furlongs at Newbury subsequently, so the three-year-old has to be respected against older, and more experienced rivals, but the vote goes to Bishops Court, who is preferred to Colonel Cotton. The selection has twice won the Vodafone Dash here and, while this represents a step up in class for Lynda Ramsden's gelding, the 10-year-old has held his form well and has every chance of gaining a third course and distance success. Neville Callaghan's Colonel Cotton has not been at his best previously this term but showed signs of a revival at Kempton last time and has to be respected. Like the last mentioned, Andrew Balding's Dubaian Gift would probably prefer a faster surface and a bigger threat may come from the 11-year-old Repertory, whose recent form leaves something to be desired but who goes on the ground. Mick Quinn's Dragon Flyer has plenty of pace and should be suited by this sharp track. She rates a bigger danger than Forever Phoenix, who takes a big step up in class. Speed Cop is another worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Bishops Court, who is taken to give Frankie Dettori the first winner at the Vodafone Derby meeting.
