held up, challenged on outer 2f out, soon led, clear over 1f out, ridden final furlong, idle towards finish, always in command
narrow lead to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, ridden halfway, soon struggling
disputed lead, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, no impression, lost 2nd inside final furlong, joined for 3rd post
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, no chance after
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd inside final furlong, closed as winner idle towards finish
took keen hold, held up, ridden halfway, soon outpaced
chased leaders, driven over 2f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong to dead heat for 3rd on line
MUTAMARED never makes things easy for his backers but he can make it four wins from his last five starts; Don Pele joins Parisian Gift and One More Round on a lengthy shortlist. Kevin Ryan's gelding has plenty of experience and indeed plenty of wins to his name (9/37). His recent victory as a long odds-on favourite at Kempton wasn't without a moment or two of worry. There are feasible rivals, and indeed if the likely favourite fails to act again for Jamie Spencer, then it may pay to side with Don Pele. Ron Harris's gelding is ultra consistent and only has 3lbs to find at the weights with Mutamared. Lord Deevert is dangerous at a lowly level if able to get an easy lead but that looks unlikely, so a bigger danger could be Parisian Gift. The stable are flying but this Statue Of Liberty gelding needs to prove that he is over his last start at the track in December where he was pulled up. Course and distance winner One More Round needs to be considered if he is on his best behaviour, but it is top-weight Mutamared who can oblige.
Mutamared (USA) 2-7fav (9-5) Steadied start, tracked leader on inside, quickened to lead narrowly well over 1f out, kept on under pressure, driven out, won at Kempton 6f clm (6) pol beating Angel Voices (8-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Don Pele (IRE) 3-1fav (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Calmdownmate (8-13) at Southwell 5f app clm (6) fbs.
Teen Ager (FR) 11-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 17, 10l behind Shot To Fame (9-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Parisian Gift (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Raced wide towards rear, behind when pulled up in race won by The Game (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec, 11 ran.
Interactive (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, not quicken and weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 9l behind Musical Script (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
One More Round (USA) 3-1 (9-13) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 9, shd behind Mafaheem (9-7) at Great Leighs 6f sll (5) pol.
Faintly Hopeful 66-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Northern Desert (8-10) at Lingfield 7f sll (6) pol.
Tender Process (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Behind and pushed along, soon tracking leaders, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 3l behind Vogarth (9-11) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
Lord Deevert 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, chased leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind River Kirov (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
