made all, quickened over 3f out, hard ridden when challenged entering final furlong, ran on strongly
tracked leader, driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlng, never reached winner
slowly into stride, chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, never a threat
tracked leader, effort when hung right from over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Hombre Rojo completed a track and trip double in impressive style on Saturday and his mark of 77 will be a thing of the past. He'll still have plenty to do on official ratings but is in such good form that he must be respected. Lazzam won a Chelmsford maiden in August before a close second in a much better race there the following month. He wasn't beaten far in Listed company at Pontefract later and should prove difficult to beat. Red Rannagh landed a Dundalk maiden in November and has transferred to David Simcock. He was highly regarded by previous connections and should be winning again soon. SPECIAL SEASON hasn't really hit the heights after his impressive debut success at Sandown but he's raced at a high level and beat a smart rival when landing a novices' event here last month. He gets the nod in a tricky little contest.
Hombre Rojo (IRE) 10-11fav (8-13) Led, headed narrowly over 4f out, led again 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Strawberry Sorbet (8-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
Lazzam 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Thanksfortellingme (9-3) at Pontefract 1m lst stks (1) gs in Oct.
Red Rannagh (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Soon led and made virtually all, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, all out, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov beating Ebadan (9-5) by shd, 14 ran.
Special Season 5-4 (9-7) Tracked leader, headway to lead entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 1m stks (5) pol in Dec beating Good Trip (9-10) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.