slowly into stride, in touch when hampered on rail and snatched up after 1f, brief effort under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, weakened over 1f out
reluctant to load stalls, soon disputing 2nd, chased leader 3f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, good headway over 2f, ridden to chase clear leader over 1f out, closed well to lead inside final furlong, driven clear
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair approaching final furlong, stayed on
disputed 2nd place until 3f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly
held up and behind, driven in rear halfway, stayed on final 2f, never dangerous
soon chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
led and soon clear, driven 2 lengths clear over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, held on for 2nd
raced wide, held up, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
The fact that the first of the Classic Trials will be run on the all-weather is not everyone's cup of tea, but the race has produced a good line-up with Cross Channel getting the vote ahead of Rajeem, Choosy and Suzy Bliss. Rajeem has already won at Listed level and, holding Classic entries, has to be respected from an in-form yard. Choosy ended last season with a good Listed-placed fourth and will appreciate today's trip. Fifth in the Fillies' Mile when last seen, the Classically-entered and beautifully bred daughter of Giant's Causeway, Cross Channel, gets a big shout, and looks a stronger option than the stable's other entry Song Of Silence. Dont Dili Dali comes here on the back of a good third in the UAE Oaks, so is very much respected, while the Group 3-placed Rising Cross has fair credentials for this, although she was then behind Suzy Bliss, who looks another promising filly, in the May Hill Stakes. They both represent good form, though. Finally, Nyarhini is the type to progress and do well this season but, for today, we are happy to side with Cross Channel.
Rajeem 25-1 (8-8) Raced centre, held up in touch, headway and switched left over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Oct beating Bunood (8-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Choosy (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Went right start, soon recovered to press winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Short Dance (8-8) at Newbury 7f 2yo lst fll (1) gs in Oct.
Cross Channel (USA) 11-2 (8-10) Prominent, led over 6f out, headed 3f out, soon faded, 5th of 6, 7l behind Nannina (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 2yo fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Sept.
Dont Dili Dali 13-2 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, progress to track leaders 2f out, not quicken, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Imperial Ice (9-4) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f lst stk gd in Mar.
Miss Highjinks (USA) (8-8) 7th of 11, 7l behind Dream In Blue (8-11) at Cagnes-Sur-mer 7f lst stk gs in Feb.
Nyarhini 5-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, narrow lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Radius (9-0) by a shd, 12 ran.
Ooh Aah Camara (IRE) 40-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 10th of 13, 13l behind Kingsgate Prince (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
Rising Cross 10-1 (8-6) Outpaced, headway and edged left 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Kingsgate Prince (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
Sleeping Storm (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Johnny The Fish (8-11) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Sept.
Song of Silence (USA) 15-8fav (9-4) Held up, not clear run on inside well over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Casablanca Minx (7-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Suzy Bliss 7-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Race For The Stars (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo lst fll (1) gs in Oct.
