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Rarely are competitive sprint handicaps broken apart by a winner as this was by a big improver, Desperate Hero bursting well clear of a group who finished in the sort of bunch that might ordinarily feature the winner of one of these races, but the runner-up, American Affair, is another horse to take away.
He won with any amount in hand on his previous start at Musselburgh and left the impression a subsequent 10lb rise for that success won’t prevent him winning more races in the future.
American Affair overcame a troubled passage to beat the remainder, but would have likely given the winner more to do had he got a run when meeting trouble two furlongs out when still travelling well. He stayed on to take second near the finish and is well worth another chance to prove himself still well handicapped, still lightly raced for a yard whose sprinters tend to thrive over time after all.
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Yorkshire was narrowly denied at Doncaster on Saturday but he shaped well in a race that didn’t go his way.
Yorkshire was caught further back than ideal in a race run at a steady gallop but he made smooth headway and, after being carried to his left two furlongs out, he stuck to his task well and was only edged out late on, missing out by a short head.
The winner was well equipped for a race that developed into a dash given his useful form at sprint trips, while Yorkshire would have been better suited by a stronger pace. He’s still unexposed and remains one to be interested in.
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A race that regularly unearths a smart performer and this running could possibly have several, a plethora of blue-blooded sorts from top yards in attendance as well as a trio of last-time-out winners.
Sword displayed plenty of promise on his debut at Kempton in November, form which is proving strong, and he again shaped with plenty of encouragement on his return from seven months off, displaying a fine turn of foot to get to the front and found wanting for know-how when there.
Sword is bred to be smart and looks a banker for a similar event next time, while he also has the potential to develop into a pattern-class performer.
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Blow Your Horn is a fairly useful stayer on the Flat, and could hardly have shaped any better without winning on his handicap debut in this sphere back in cheekpieces he usually wears on the Flat and a first-time tongue tie fitted.
A sharp injection of pace five from home appeared to have sealed the deal for him – he traded at 1.01 in running on Betfair – leading on the bridle on the home turn and looking in control.
However, he was caught close home by a stable-switcher who came from much further back, beaten only a neck and well clear of the remainder. It shouldn’t be long before he’s winning in this sphere and he remains a horse to be positive about.
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The six-furlong handicap at Kempton was fought out between an upwardly mobile four-year-old and a hat-trick seeker at the top of his game and appeals as being a strong piece of form.
The third home, Glamorous Express, also shaped well in a higher grade of race that he needs to contest, catching the eye with how he moved into contention and looking a threat up the inside.
He was unable to sustain the effort inside the final half-furlong, weakening close home, but he showed enough to suggest that he’s one to note off his current mark, particularly with easier options open to him.
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This was a race of changing complexion in the closing stages, Shark Two One moving through the race like the best handicapped horse but played too soon and picked off by a couple that played their hand later.
He had finished runner-up in a better handicap than this on his previous start at Leicester, too, while he was also a winner at the course last season, so he is clearly building up a liking for the venue.
Under a more economic ride next time, he is entitled to go very close, clearly on a good mark and in top form, while he will be of particular interest if finding another opportunity at Leicester.
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Machete had won at listed level in France for Fabrice Chappet and he showed plenty of promise on his first start for David O’Meara in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar on Monday, faring best of those held up in a race where a prominent pitch seemed a big advantage.
Machete travelled well but was short of room inside the final three furlongs and wasn’t in the clear until just over a furlong out.
He put in some good late work under a hands-and-heels ride, staying on to take fourth close home, and he looks one to be interested in on the back of this encouraging effort for a yard that does notably well with its recruits.
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