tracked leaders, headway to press leader over 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader until over 4f out, tracked leaders, ridden and headway to lead just inside final furlong, headed towards finish
in touch in rear, ridden and outpaced over 1f out
rider removed hood late and dwelt, in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
MAYBE TODAY is having a first run on Tapeta but has yet to run a bad race. She wasn’t really enjoying the Fibresand at Southwell three weeks ago and will be much better suited by this surface. Star Of Southwold is having a first run since July and has switched stables but Mick Appleby can be expected to find a few races for April’s Newmarket winner. Alan King runs smart hurdler Redicean and also William Hunter. The former has a touch of class and has to be respected while Near Kettering is back in this country after spending the last 12 months with Johnny Murtagh. Zafayan’s form has fallen off a cliff this year and he’s changed stables again.
Redicean 9-1 (11-3) Held up in 5th, not fluent 4 out, pushed along and outpaced after next, plugged on in 4th from 2 out, 4th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Verdana Blue (10-11) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Star Of Southwold (FR) 9-1 (9-1) Led 2f, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, weakened soon after, eased, 7th of 8, 27 1/2l behind Koeman (9-12) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Maybe Today 6-4fav (9-7) Close up, chased winner 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, plugged on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Victoria Drummond (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Near Kettering 11-2 (9-3) Dwelt, waited with and soon towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, soon headway and effort on outer, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Commander Won (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
William Hunter 4-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, dist behind Brecon Hill (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Zafayan (IRE) 66-1 (9-8) Fly jumped start, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, dist behind The Knot Is Tied (8-6) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) hvy in Oct.