'I've thought about going abroad' - Annaf excites with easy weight-carrying win

Saturday: Lingfield

Annaf had trainer Mick Appleby thinking about heading abroad for Listed or Group races after the topweight comfortably landed the feature 6f handicap.

Giving at least 8lb to every rival, the four-year-old was held up from the gates before scything his way through the field to win going away under Rossa Ryan, leaving the impression there was plenty more to come.

Appleby said: "We thought there would be loads of pace on today, so it probably suited us where we were because it ended up fanning out. He's a nice horse who is still improving and he will continue to improve through the winter."

Annaf was quickly upped in class after making a winning debut, contesting hot handicaps and finishing second in a Newcastle Group 3 before ending the season with a close fifth at Listed level.

He also contested a Grade 3 in South Korea and Appleby is considering doing that again, but the next target could be All-Weather Championship Final day at Newcastle on April 7.

"He'll likely go up in class. I've thought about going abroad with him again. We took him to South Korea but the track just didn't suit him on the day," Appleby said.

"There's plenty of good options abroad for him and also lots of good racing in the UK. We'll go where we can get a bit of prize-money.

"The All-Weather Championship finals could definitely be the plan now."

Ryan was completing a double after winning the opening 1m2f handicap on the James Tate-trained Mighty River.

Brilliant Bradley

Recuerdame was slow from the gates and gave away many lengths at the start of the mile handicap, but 3lb claimer Paddy Bradley didn't panic.

He eased the Simon Dow-trained seven-year-old into the race, taking him widest of all in the straight before unleashing him down the outside for a one-length win.

Results, replays and analysis

Read Saturday's reports:

Classic Chase: 383 days off . . . no problem! Iwilldoit back at hisbest with return

Warwick: 'Some were under par' - Skelton fires in double to quash doubts over yard form

Lanzarote Hurdle: 'This is up there with the big ones' - Andrews revels in Kempton nail-biter

Kempton: Pic D'Orhy sets up Shishkin clash with emphatic Silviniaco Conti win

Fairyhouse: 'That was some thrill' - Danoli days evoked as Foley family celebrate with Gold

Wetherby: Brian Hughes makes course history as Richmond Lake sails home

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