led 3f, tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind early, caught field up over 5f out, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
stumbled start, tracked leader, led after 3f, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, rallied near finish
held up, ridden 3f out, no impression
held up, good headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, just held on
held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Despite having been expensive to follow BEAUCHAMP XIARA has plenty going for her at this level and is worth another throw of the dice; strong cases can also be stated for If I Were A Boy and Smart Endeavour, so this is by no means an easy task for the selection. Smart Endeavour was handed a stiff mark after impressively winning an all-weather maiden last season - a rating of 85 consequently proved to be an insurmountable barrier. However, tonight's 15lb lower mark leaves the top weight with a solid chance to stamp his authority on the field. In handicapping terms, If I Were A Boy has to make the shortlist as her weight-for-age allowance more than compensates for the 6lb hike for winning at Epsom 11 days ago. However, she was gifted an easy lead on that occasion and is unlikely to be granted the same liberties here. Kinian is another worth a mention, as he is unexposed and steps up to a more appropriate trip for his first start in a race of this nature. Strong support in the betting ring would be dangerous to ignore. However, Beauchamp Xiara has started to blossom this season and, having gone close in a couple of similar events of late, Henry Candy's choice to employ a (capable) 7lb claimer for the ride might be the measure between success and failure in this interesting little handicap.
Smart Endeavour (USA) 15-2 (9-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace and outpaced to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Warning Song (9-2) at Bath 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
Beauchamp Xiara 5-2fav (10-0) Tracked leading trio, effort to 2nd entering final 2f, trying to challenge but one pace when carried left and not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Ubiquitous (8-4) at Folkestone 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf.
Welsh Anthem 7-2 (10-0) Held up in 5th, effort to 2nd on inside 3f out, no impression on winner when lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Goldtrek (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 3f fll hcp (5) fm.
If I Were A Boy (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Made all, set steady pace, quickened over 3f out, clear over 2f out, ran on, unchallenged, won at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Solicitor (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mountrath 13-2 (9-0) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Finest Reserve (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Singbella 17-2 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 10l behind Scamperdale (8-12) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Choral Festival 10-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Urban Space (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Kinian (USA) 50-1 (9-0) In touch, lost place over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 12, 11l behind Lenkiewicz (8-9) at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
