held up, pushed along over 2f out, headway and edged left over 1f out, not able to trouble leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
switched left soon after start, held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over over 1f out, rider dropped whip inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden ove 1f out, soon edged left, weakened inside final furlong
This looks a cracking handicap for February and several of these could go on to hold their own on turf later in the year. Roger Varian already has his team firing on all cylinders and, with the weights fairly compacted, we'll take AL FREEJ to add to his easy maiden success over C&D 11 days ago. Gin Twist just scraped home at Kempton recently and has more on her plate here while Redair and Lady Caprice are also a little more exposed than some. Russian Bullet is creeping up the weights, despite not winning, but there should be more to come from Kempton maiden winner Cats Eyes and Code Six was progressive in the autumn, though may just need this. Darnathean may be the pick of the remainder.
Al Freej (IRE) 1-6fav (8-9) Tracked leader, took keen hold, led well over 3f out, easily, won at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol beating El Mcglynn (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Darnathean 11-4fav (9-7) Keen close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind Four Better (9-2) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Gin Twist 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Rooknrasbryripple (8-1) by hd, 6 ran.
Majestic Rose 9-4 (9-0) Dwelt, in rear and keen, effort over 1f out, one pace, last of 6, 2 3/4l behind Gin Twist (9-4) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Redair (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) With leader, ridden 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Gin Twist (9-4) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Lady Caprice 13-8fav (9-5) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Gin Twist (9-4) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Code Six (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Made all, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov beating Colbyor (9-3) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Cats Eyes 1-2fav (8-9) Tracked leader, led inside final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Kempton 5f mdn auc stks (5) pol beating Sannibel (9-9) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Van Go Go 25-1 (8-2) Dwelt, in rear, outpaced halfway, never dangerous, last of 9, 16l behind Guru Girl (8-7) at Thirsk 5f 2yo hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Russian Bullet 11-8fav (9-7) Prominent, chased winner halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Drinmoy Lad (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.