mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next
towards rear, headway and in touch 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent to 4th, soon ridden and lost place
mid-division, reminders 4th, weakened halfway
in touch, pushed along approaching 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 7th
chased leader, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
in touch, weakened quickly 7th, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden out
towards rear, out paced 7th, some late headway, never dangerous
Another real headscratcher for the punters and we can see Water Taxi running a big race ahead of San Peire and Zaffaran Express. Water Taxi started his life with Roger Charlton on the level and while he is yet to break his duck under both codes - there was enough encouragement from his November effort at Musselborough to suggest that he had a race within his reach. He can be forgiven his last run as he patently did not stay the extended three miles. San Peire is a track specialist at Sedgefield. He is exposed from a formbook perspective but does run the proverbial 10lbs better at this track than anywhere else. Zaffaran Express was well backed ahead of her seasonal reappearance at Haydock but was a bitter flop on the day. That cannot be blamed on an inability to stay the trip so perhaps we might consider that to be a product of the indifferent way in which one or two of the Nicky Richards string have ran of late. Chickapeakray is plating class although she has at least got winning form to her name. The McCain team are in good form and she can be relied to run her usual game race. Red Man does have the tendency to make the odd mistake. That said, his yard have been known to have the odd tilt at the ring here at Sedgefield so the market is copiously inspected. Astronaut has been disappointing. Water Taxi has had his excuses in the past and we are prepared to over him one more opportunity to redeem himself.
Zaffaran Express (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Held up, not fluent 6th, ridden and headway after 7th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 22l behind Vicario (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Nov.
Red Man (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 16, 14l behind Welcome To Unos (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Water Taxi 13-2jt-fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 9th, headed 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 17, 14l behind River Mist (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd.
San Peire (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Close up, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 7l behind General Duroc (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy.
Alfy Rich 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost touch before 12, behind when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Robbo (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd, 11 ran.
Villago (GER) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 17l behind General Duroc (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy.
Astronaut 3-1 (11-5) Held up, mistake and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Lazy Lena (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Chickapeakray 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, every chance next, ridden and outpaced 2 out, no impression last, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Piraeus (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs.
