held up, under pressure 3f out, soon behind
soon led, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, unchallenged
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden and no headway final 2f
held up, driven and headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, never able to challenge
chased leaders, driven and went 3rd 2f out, stayed on to press for 2nd near finish, never able to challenge winner
slowly into stride, held up, driven along 2f out, soon beaten
soon chased winner, driven 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Dixey has a good draw for a front-runner but she has a bit to find on the ratings and we prefer PERFECT STAR ahead of Scuffle. Adam Kirby has a good strike-rate for the yard so far this season and he gets the leg up again on Perfect Star. The Act One filly is well-drawn for her all-weather bow, has a fine strike-rate and looks to hold a good chance of gaining her sixth career win. It is interesting that connections have kept her in training as a five-year-old and they may feel that there is some 'black type' to be picked up this season with her. Born Tobouggie comes out top on the ratings and she wasn't disgraced on her final start last season in Listed company at Lingfield. Dixey steps back up in trip and represents a trainer with a 21% strike-rate at the course; whilst Scuffle and Tactful are two exciting four-year-old's who return to the racetrack after a winter off and the betting should help guide as to their chances of a winning return. Festoso is another for consideration as she drops in class; she looks worth another crack at this trip on pedigree and her trainer has already been on the mark this season. A cracking race and narrow preference is for Perfect Star.
Bet Noir (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 7l behind Wunder Strike (8-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo stks (7) pol in Mar.
Born Tobouggie (GER) 12-1 (8-11) Started slowly, settled in rear, headway over 1f out on inside, ran on final furlong, not troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 4l behind Baharah (9-3) at Lingfield 1m flls lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Dixey 12-1 (8-7) Made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on well, won at Leicester 7f stks (2) gd in Jun beating Danae (8-6) by nk, 8 ran.
Festoso (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Raced centre, slowly into stride, always in rear, 9th of 10, 21l behind Halfway To Heaven (8-13) at Newmarket 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gf in Oct.
Perfect Star 5-2fav (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase clear leaders approaching final furlong, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Lady Deauville (8-13) at Bath 1m fll lst stks (1) gs in Aug.
Scuffle 11-4fav (8-8) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 8l behind Il Warrd (9-1) at Redcar 7f Listed stks (1) gd in Oct.
Smokey Rye 5-6fav (8-6) Held up, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, eased near finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app clm stks (6) pol in Mar beating Red Rudy (8-5) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tactful (IRE) (8-11) 98th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Rainbow Crossing (8-11) at Deauville(FR) 1m 1f stk std in Dec.
