led, hard ridden final furlong, not pace of winner and caught final 50 yards
chased leader to over 2f out, weakened under pressure approaching final furlong
chased leaders, hard ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
took keen hold in touch, effort on outside over 1f out, one pace
slowly into stride and always behind
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, strong run to lead final 50 yards
in touch, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, effort on outside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A tight affair and one in which Border Music might get the better of Grey Pearl and Dawn Piper. There are four course and distance winners in the race - What-A-Dancer, Chateau Nicol, Miss George and Grey Pearl - and with Miss George lacking a recent outing, Grey Pearl might just prove best of the quartet given that she will be receiving weight from those rivals. However, the selection looked progressive last season, is a likeable lightly-raced sort and, with his stable in good form, looks set to go well. David Loder is represented by the course winner Dawn Piper who, although a beaten favourite last time, looked good when beating Ballinger Ridge the time before and, now with visored for the first time, might yet go well. Mark Johnston is also represented, his runner being The Bonus King. It's fair to say that he has not built on his second in Royal Ascot's Norfolk Stakes two years ago and has something to prove now. Compton Dragon is another who has lost his way of late and, on his first run of the season, might prove best worth opposing. That's the view that we take anyway, with our vote going to Border Music.
