held up behind leaders, effort going easily on outside 3f out, every chance over 1f out, found little under pressure and no impression when hung right inside final furlong
held up, effort on outside and driven 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leader to halfway, close up, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly inside final 2f
led, pushed along from 3f out, headed 1f out, rallied well to hold 2nd throughout final furlong
In this Listed race for fillies and mares, we like the look of Majestic Desert ahead of Secret History and Aldora. Majestic Desert has competed with just about the best at two and three years of age, having finished second in the Group 1 Queen Mary Stakes and having won the Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes before finishing ninth in last year's 1,000 Guineas. She suggested in Dubai in February that she is going to be at least as good at four and, as such, can get her British campaign of to a winning start. Secret History takes a step up in class now following two easy handicap successes, but she looks ready for it and should go well. Before her return after a near two-year break, Aldora had been progressive, her three wins - all at Listed level - from four races prior to that return including a course and distance victory. If at her best, she has to be considered. Caveral is rated only three pounds behind her now but, overall, she looks to have a few pounds to find to feature here. Baltic Dip's overall form leaves her with something to prove, we feel, at this level and, with Najaaba looking outclassed, we return to the selection, which is Majestic Desert.
Aldora 4-1 Took keen hold, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, no impression 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 21l behind Tarfah at Kempton 1m lst fll stk gs in Mar.
Caveral 25-1 Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 21l behind Badminton at Ascot 7f lst fll stk (A1) gf in Sept.
Majestic Desert 10-1 Mid-division; ridden & progress 500m out; headway to challenge over 200m out; no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Moon Dazzle at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f fll stk gd in Feb.
Najaaba (USA) 16-1 In touch, effort on inside and driven 2f out, soon one pace and no impression, 4th of 8, 12l behind Tarfah at Kempton 1m lst fll stk gs in Mar.
Baltic Dip (IRE) 7-1 Held up last, ridden halfway, driven and beaten 3f out, last of 5, 16l behind Party Boss at Lingfield 1m 3yo lst stk pol.
Secret History (USA) 4-7fav Made all, ridden 2f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp sft beating Coleorton Dane by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
