steadied start, tracked leader on inside, quickened to lead narrowly well over 1f out, kept on under pressure, driven out
tracked leader on outside, ridden and effort over 1f out, not paced to challenge, lost 3rd inside final furlong
steadied start, held up last, pulled hard, lost touch 3f out, soon ridden and struggling over 2f out, never a factor
led, ridden and headed narrowly well over 1f out, kept pressing winner but always held final 100 yards
Kevin Ryan does not keep many going through the winter and it usually pays to follow those he does and MUTAMARED is one who gets our vote here, while Angel Voices is perhaps best of the rest. The selection is favoured by the weights in this claimer and is in cracking good form with two wins from his last three starts, one of which came over course and distance in similar company. He should be very hard to beat today. Red Rudy is another inmate of the Tony Carroll yard that does so well in minor company. However the stable's runners are not red hot at present, in particular this one, and he looks unlikely to repeat his course and distance win of last year if recent efforts are a guide. Angel Voices is relatively well treated with Red Rudy compared to if this were a handicap and she likes it here, with two of her three career wins having been at the track. She isn't exactly tearing it up on recent evidence but a first-time visor makes her of more interest here and she may well give the selection most to do. Obe Royal would have a chance if able to reproduce his running here from 11 months ago when third in a handicap off a mark of 70, but he has been on the slide since and is hard to fancy. Stoneacre Donny is badly out of sorts and has plenty to find and Mutamared is a confident choice.
Mutamared (USA) 13-8fav (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead well over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec beating Desert Dreamer (8-9) by a nk, 5 ran.
Red Rudy 20-1 (8-7) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression, last of 7, 12l behind River Kirov (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Obe Royal 15-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 3l behind Smirfys Systems (8-7) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Stoneacre Donny (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Mid-division, weakened and ran wide into straight 2f out, 11th of 12, 15l behind Fantasy Fighter (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Angel Voices (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 5l behind C'Mon You Irons (9-0) at Lingfield 6f sll (6) pol in Dec.
