BEVERLEY 15:30 4f2u4g

Non Runners: CASPIAN PRINCE (IRE).

Time: 1m 2.4s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.4s (100.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 100.2%

A race that has produced some very tight finishes over the years but Dakota Gold was favoured at the weights on his best form and dominated from the start, the 2 that tried to lie up with him finishing well beaten.

DAKOTA GOLD confirmed the promise of Ripon, looking at least as good as ever with a typically game front-running display; disputed lead, went on 2f out, found plenty; he's now a 3-time listed winner (from as many starts) and deserves another shot in a group race now he's back on song.

LAST EMPIRE hadn't been seen to best effect on either start this season and proved better than ever with more going her way, this stiff 5f fine for her, losing little in defeat behind the winner; hampered start, patiently ridden, headway from 2f out, switched over 1f out, closed all the way to the line but made no impression on winner; she'll be equally effective back at 6f and is well capable of winning a fillies listed event.

KEEP BUSY (IRE) couldn't quite repeat her York effort (had good-value 5 lb claimer on that day) but is compiling a very solid record this season and is probably capable of winning at this level at some point; in touch, shaken up 3f out, switched 2f out, threatened 1f out, one paced.

MAKANAH coped with the step up in grade though again didn't find quite as much as it looked like he might, the type who is well suited by a pace collapse; mid-field, travelled well, driven over 1f out, threatened entering final 1f, one paced; he wasn't seen to best effect in the Portland last season and has progressed since.

TARBOOSH attracted and shaped as if still in good form, making his effort away from the principals; held up, brief headway out wide 2f out, effort flattened out.

QUEENS GIFT (IRE) back down in trip, followed a good run with a below-par one, the pattern to her season so far; mid-field, ridden 3f out, dropped away over 1f out.

MAJOR JUMBO back down in trip, turned in a rare poor effort in first-time blinkers; disputed lead, faded from 2f out, hung left over 1f out.

FOOL FOR YOU (IRE) back on turf, hasn't got going this season and ran poorly after 9 weeks off; mid-field, pushed along 2f out, dropped away over 1f out.

ALPHA DELPHINI won this race way back in 2016 but looks a shadow of his former self on the evidence of 2 runs this season, the return of headgear (after 6 weeks off) not doing anything for him; close up, weakened from 2f out.