awkward and steadied start, held up last, tailed off over 3f out
held up in 9th and off the pace, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up tracking leading trio, progress to track leader over 3f out, led entering final 2f, headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led after 1f, soon pressed, steadied to 2nd 8f out, led again 5f out, ridden and joined 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
held up in 5th and off the pace, closed steadily from 3f out, chased leaders and every chance over 1f out, 3rd and stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in 9th and well off the pace, pushed along 6f out, tailed off over 3f out
tracked clear leading pair, closed up 5f out, driven along 3f out, headway to lead briefly over 1f out, outpaced by winner inside final furlong
held up in 6th and off the pace, closed up 5f out, driven along and struggling 3f out
held up in 8th and off the pace, headway over 2f out, going well when switched left well over 1f out, strong run to lead 1f out, pushed along and quickened clear inside final furlong
led 1f, pressed leader, led again 8f out until 5f out, chased leader under pressure until over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in 7th off the pace, pushed along over 3f out, never a factor
In a race that will take little winning DAZZLING BEGUM gets the call to beat Bedarra Boy and Channel Crossing. Jeff Pearce's mare is 2lbs higher than when third at Yarmouth last time but the form of that race looks strong and she won on her sole visit to Folkestone last September. That was off a mark of 47 on quick ground, so arriving in good form off a mark of just 48 she could be the value in this affair. Bedarra Boy will be difficult to beat if repeating his effort at Bath last time, one that resulted in a game success. He hung right on that occasion so a switch to Folkestone might well help him improve to defy a 4lb rise in the weights, but he might be a shade short for one who has only just registered his first success. Channel Crossing is interesting too, arriving as he does unpenalised for winning at Leicester. That day he beat a well handicapped rival with a bit to spare and in all likelihood this race isn't any tougher, so off the same mark his chance is there for all to see. Drum Major was well backed before disappointing at Kempton last time but if the money arrived again he'd be of interest for Jim Best whilst Silken Promise has first-time blinkers and the assistance of Frankie Dettori, a combination that if she takes to could help pave the way to a maiden victory with this step up in trip to suit. In an open contest we just prefer the admittedly exposed Dazzling Begum, as her profile is a solid one.
Dora Explora 25-1 (9-4) Towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 13, 12l behind Wrighty Almighty (9-5) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gf in Sep '07.
Kashmina 20-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 15l behind Aestival (8-11) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Silken Promise (USA) 9-1 (8-13) Raced wide in rear, never a factor, 9th of 14, 19l behind Inch Lodge (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Drum Major (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) In touch, hanging right with head high over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 14, 7l behind Drizzi (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Dark Energy 16-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, soon close up, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 7th of 13, 4l behind Chalice Welcome (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Largem 14-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon hung left, well beaten over 1f out, 7th of 9, 26l behind Peintre D'argent (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Bedarra Boy 7-2fav (8-5) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fm in May beating Touch of Style (8-1) by 1l, 11 ran.
Very Distinguished 8-1 (8-12) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 11l behind Moscow Oznick (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn auc stks (4-6yo) (5) pol in Jan.
Dazzling Begum 11-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, closing on 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind If I Had Him (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Channel Crossing 17-2 (8-6) Made all, ridden out, won at Leicester 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May beating Contradiktive (8-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Barbirolli 4-1 (8-11) In touch towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders, 4th of 6, 5l behind Sea Land (8-11) at Catterick 1m 4f 4yo sell stks (6) gf in May.
