tracked leader, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, led towards finish, all out
keen led, 3 lengths clear 4f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, headed towards finish, lost 2nd close home
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
close up in 4th, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to go 2nd close home
Shimmering Dawn returns to 7f having won a Class 2 handicap over 6f at Chelmsford earlier for which she’s penalised. That gives AFRAID OF NOTHING a chance on these terms and the latter posted a better effort in first-time headgear in a conditions' race at Wolverhampton last month. The blinkers are switched for a visor today and Ralph Beckett’s filly can come out best. Queen's Course and Newscaster have plenty to find at the weights with the former looking the more progressive on the back of landing a handicap double.
Shimmering Dawn (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Dwelt held up, pushed along and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Good Effort (9-3) at Lingfield 6f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Afraid Of Nothing 4-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, led, headed 5f out, hung left over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Leafhopper (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f fll stks (3) pol in Nov.
Newscaster (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd briefly 2f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Zapper Cass (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Queen's Course (IRE) 2-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, carried wide into straight 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp fll (3) pol in Dec beating Stay Classy (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.