EPSOM DOWNS 14:30

Non Runners: PRINCE OF ARRAN, KINGSTON KURRAJONG. Race Distance Adjustment: +35 yds

Time: 2m 18.97s Closing Sectional: (3.44f): 43.05s (108.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 102.8%

A race with little recent history as a classic trial, and the form of this year's race looks no more than useful, but So Mi Dar kept herself in the frame for the Oaks with a battling success; the early pace took a while to pick up, but the race began to develop from a long way out, the first 2 both coming from off the pace.

SO MI DAR had created a good impression when winning a maiden at Windsor on her only start as a juvenile, and well-backed upped in trip after 6 months off, maintained her unbeaten record against the colts and deserves extra credit with things not exactly going all her own way; held up, not settle fully, pushed along early in straight, headway over 2f out, began to edge left and rider lost whip when getting close to the third as she challenged, losing little momentum as she came through to lead over 1f out, having to be ridden out but not doing much in front without the whip to keep her going; she's very much on the Oaks trail, her pedigree (out of Yorkshire Oaks and Sheema Classic winner Dar Re Mi) an on-going recommendation, but this performance isn't perhaps quite the boost to her claims that general odds of 8/1 for that race suggest and a stronger, more recognised trial like the Musidora, which is reportedly up next, is sure to reveal more.

HUMPHREY BOGART (IRE) upped in trip and back on turf, hadn't been seen to best effect in a messy race at Kempton and produced his best effort to date; slowly into stride, patiently ridden, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, edged left, stayed on; though by Tagula, there's stamina on his dam's side and he looks worth a try at 1½m.

VIREN'S ARMY (IRE) looked more exposed than the rest, running 6 times as a juvenile, including a third in listed company in Italy on his final start,, and he ran creditably after 5 months off; mid-field, pushed along early in straight, every chance 2f out, one paced.

CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI (IRE) a rare runner in this race for his yard with such strength in depth with middle-distance 3-y-os, was strong in the betting on the back of making all in a Leopardstown maiden at the start of the month but he proved a let down, his classic aspirations taking a severe knock; mid-field, ridden early in straight, headway on inner 3f out, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, though not persevered with once held; he should stay at least this far.

PERCY STREET was upped in trip after 6 months off and ran just respectably, seemingly just not up to this company; held up, pushed along home turn, bumped 3f out, never a threat.

BEAVERBROOK back on turf and on softer ground than previously, wasn't in the same form as last time, though it's easy enough to put a line through this run given conditions and how things panned out; made running, headed 3f out, struggling when hampered over 2f out, not persevered with once held.

TOP BEAK (IRE) turned up here with his intended reappearance at Newbury lost to the elements, and his pattern race aspirations took a knock as he failed to run up to the form he showed when making a winning debut last autumn, form that has been franked by others; chased leader, led 3f out, hung left, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out; it's often a good sign when runners from this stable win first time out, and he remains with some potential at a lower level.