close up, ridden halfway, weakened quickly from 2f out
led narrowly, ridden and quickened 2 lengths clear over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards
with leader to over 1f out, soon one pace and lost 2nd final furlong
pressed leaders to over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
in rear, in touch, headway over 1f out, driven to lead final 50 yards
planted in stalls and refused to race
Silca Elegance is taken to see off the challenges of Billy Red, Hythe Bay and Loves Bidding. Silca Elegance has been the most consistent of these during the season so far, with a maiden victory at Redcar and three placed efforts to his name. In truth, Mick Channon's charge never looked like getting past Edge Closer at Ascot last time, but the easier conditions here should suit the son of Selkirk, and he looks sure to go close under Hugh Bowman. Billy Red is yet to open his account, but is slipping down the handicap and may well figure, while Hythe Bay, who ran in last year's Queen Mary, is another that is more kindly treated now. Loves Bidding meanwhile was last of 11 in the 2006 Norfolk Stakes, but bounced back to open his account at Yarmouth next time, and showed his best form of the current campaign when a close third of four at Windsor, having made most of the running. He did not mind the testing ground then, and will be able to get his toe in here. There should not be too much in it really, but Silca Elegance just shades it for us.
Mr Loire 14-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, soon one pace, 6th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Talcen Gwyn (8-7) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Silca Elegance 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, challenged over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Edge Closer (9-5) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Hythe Bay 9-1 (9-7) Prominent stand's side, driven to lead that group final 100 yards, no chance with far side group, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Caustic Wit (9-5) at Folkestone 5f hcap (5) gf.
Charlotte Grey 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, once pace final 2f, 6th of 9, 7l behind Expensive Art (8-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Loves Bidding 18-1 (8-3) Led on rail, narrowly headed inside final furlong, ran on under pressure, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 4, 3/4l behind Kelamon (8-7) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (4) hvy.
Billy Red 5-2fav (9-4) Soon led, ridden and hung right over 1f out, soon headed, hung left inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 6, 3/4l behind Contentious (8-4) at Brighton 5f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Sherjawy (IRE) 33-1 (7-11) Took keen hold with leader, to over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 12l behind Tipsy Prince (9-3) at Newbury 6f 3yo hcp (5) hvy.