started slowly, held up behind mid-division, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd 1f out, not trouble first 2
started slowly, in rear, ridden 3f out, kept on from 2f out, never in contention
in touch, ridden along 4f out, soon lost place and in rear 3f out, tailed off
mid-division until weakened quickly over 3f out, tailed off
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on steadily from 1f out, nearest finish
close up until weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out
always behind, never near leaders
tracked leader to over 3f out and weakened quickly from 3f out, tailed off
mid-division, kept on from 2f out, never nearer
in rear, some moderate late headway from 2f out, never dangerous
led until headed just inside final furlong, soon outpaced by winner
mid-division, chased leader 2f out, led just inside final furlong, ridden clear readily
Jeff Pearce's DAZZLING BEGUM has every chance to redeem himself after he was a beaten favourite last time but will have to work hard to do so with Trinkila and Too Grand ready to challenge. The selection wasn't beaten too far when fourth on the turf last time and on that occasion looked to be begging for a step up in trip which he gets here today. Only previous outing on this surface was a respectable fourth at Great Leighs two runs ago showing a willingness to act on the artificial track and with some winning form this season, which is at a premium in this race she has the strongest case for victory. Trinklia for Paul Cole's yard has been tricky to handle recently but has still managed to land a few fourth places. Here she drops back to the trip which has seen her career best performance on the all-weather and with blinkers tried for a second time she may settle better to challenge. Too Grand steps a little into the unknown here having been raced primarily over a mile and less but her latest outing landed her a second place at Great Leighs where she stayed on well suggesting the trip may suit. It's worrying though that her only win in 24 starts came over a five furlong sprint so she might be best watched here to she if there is stamina in reserve. Intersky Meoldy is the only other one in the contest with winning form in the last six outings but that came on firm ground in June. He comes here after a month and a half break so and that has never helped in the past so the vote has to go to Dazzling Begum.
The Little Master (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 8l behind Ice Bellini (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) hvy in Oct.
Womaniser (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Slowly away, switched left soon after start, always in rear, 11th of 16, 18l behind Hallings Overture (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Aug.
Aura 40-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, never near leaders, 9th of 15, 15l behind Ba Dreamflight (8-6) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Bathwick Minstrel 100-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 3f out, soon ridden and struggling, 6th of 13, 23l behind Coin of The Realm (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jul.
Colonel Sherman (USA) 22-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, keen, held up in last place, ridden and headway inside approaching 2f out, kept on to take moderate 3rd post, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Hoar Frost (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gd in Oct.
Dazzling Begum 3-1fav (8-13) In rear, ridden 4f out, headway under strong pressure from over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Ricci de Mare (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) sft in Oct.
First In Show 25-1 (8-12) Towards rear, pushing along 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never a danger, 7th of 13, 6l behind Izzibizzi (8-12) at Kempton 1m mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct.
Intersky Melody (USA) 13-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 15, 16l behind Top Jaro (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f sll (6) gs in Sept.
Kingly (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 14th of 15, 22l behind Alaneed (9-5) at Cork 1m 1f mdn stk gf in Jun.
Southern Mistral 7-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden and no impression 2f out, weakened qucikly over 1f out, 13th of 14, 17l behind Epsom Salts (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Too Grand 40-1 (7-12) Held up in rear, headway and wide outside 2f out, ran on to chase winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Talk of Saafend (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3yo clm (6) pol in Sept.
Trinkila (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden along over 4f out, lost position, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 14, 5l behind Epsom Salts (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Tropical Tradition (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) In touch, lost place over 4f out, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 6l behind Sabre Light (8-9) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) pol in Oct.
Millennium Storm (GER) 14-1 (8-11) Always behind, never near leaders, 12th of 13, 11l behind Fernlawn Hope (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov '07.
