keen early tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not much room and unable to quicken inside final furlong
soon led, ridden 2f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace
held up, good headway 2f out, soon switched right and every chance, led inside final furlong, carried head high and pushed clear
close up, very wide into straight 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
slow into stride in rear, outpaced over 2f out
close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
Plenty with claims but MARIEE remains unbeaten after returning a ready winner over 7f at Wolverhampton and this longer trip may well bring further improvement. Artful Mind and Inswing won handicaps on their latest starts with the former dropping back down in distance today while Timia won a maiden handicap at Lingfield and will find this tougher. Ice Royal has been thereabouts of late and has the beating of Vallance Road on earlier form at the track while Theydon Grey drops in class on his first start since September.
Mariee 4-5fav (9-3) Last to break, took keen hold and held up in touch, effort 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, readily, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Dose (8-5) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ice Royal (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Ritasun (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Theydon Grey 6-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, no impression when hung left and kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 5, 9 3/4l behind Thanksfortellingme (8-11) at Epsom 1m 1f stks (3) gs in Sep.
Artful Mind 9-2 (9-1) Held up in touch in rear, headway over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on, readily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Repeat Offender (9-3) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Inswing (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) In touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Gabster (9-6) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Vallance Road 8-1 (9-4) Soon tracking leaders on outside, ridden over 3f out, hung left and beaten over 1f out, 7th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Secret Insider (9-0) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Timia 6-4fav (8-10) Broke smartly, tracked leaders, effort to lead entering final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Lingfield 7f mdn hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Ertidaad (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.