tracked leaders, ridden and edged left over 1f, no impression until stayed on near finish
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, towards rear, wide into straight 2f out, not troubled leaders
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, driven out
led, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on
dwelt in rear, outpaced after 2f, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on to go 4th near finish
always in rear
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
It'll be a tragedy if STEPS can't get off the mark at the third attempt ahead of Map Of Heaven. The latter caught the eye on debut and attracted strong support for a Redcar maiden, but she failed to collar the favourite and in doing so suggested that she needs at least six furlongs. In contrast, Steps has shown promise in both starts before failing to get home so this drop to the minimum is very much considered a positive. He hasn't settled for his rider yet but the quicker tempo at this trip may enable him to do so and an ordinary maiden is surely his for the taking. 75-rated Three Sparrows should be winning a race too but his form has levelled out of late and this trip looks to be on the sharp side while Crimson Cloud and Silca Conegliano have plenty to find.
Steps (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Took keen hold, narrow lead but pressed, ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind St Augustine (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Three Sparrows (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Pressed winner, driven upsides and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Jack Smudge (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct.
Walshestown Lad (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 11, 23l behind Silver Ocean (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Cara Carmela 40-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 10, 23l behind Carrignavar (8-12) at Sandown 5f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Crimson Cloud 3-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 5l behind Silver Ocean (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Liberty Green (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Keen led early, close up, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 16l behind So Belle (9-0) at Leicester 6f 2yo fll mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Map Of Heaven 7-4 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Blanche Dubawi (9-0) at Redcar 6f 2yo fll mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Silca Conegliano (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Held up behind and keen, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 10l behind Queen Of Cash (9-3) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Veuveveuvevoom 100-1 (8-11) Went left start, mid-division, weakened from 2f out, 11th of 12, 26l behind Darajaat (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Sep.
Hannah Cann 200-1 (7-13) Dwelt, soon pushed towards rear, 8th of 11, 8l behind Monsieur Jamie (8-9) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) fbs.