NEDUARDO showed improved form as he came second this afternoon in a 7f maiden at Lingfield.

The Monsieur Bond three-year-old had clearly learnt from his debut at the start of the winter - and also handled a slight step up in trip.

He went smoothly just tracking the leader early on and for a couple of moments after the turn in appeared as if he may go on and win the race.

Neduardo took it up approaching the final furlong but he was just unable to hold the late thrust of Nubar Boy.

Still, it was an encouraging effort and hopefully his maiden win shouldn't be too far down the line.

Fingers crossed, New Couture can be similarly competitive in a hands and heels apprentices race at Southwell tomorrow.

Given a mark of 52 for this her handicap bow, the daughter of Montjeu should cope with the deeper surface at the Nottinghamshire track and perhaps the drop back to a mile will see her in an improved light.

In other news, Whooshka has been declared for Thursday night at Wolverhampton and Sakile is likely to run at Lingfield on Saturday.

Bomber Brown schooled this morning and could be an interesting hurdling contender at somewhere like Fakenham or Huntingdon befor the winter is done.

All in all, the two-year-olds are looking quite lively - there's some handy types in among the main bunch who are curently pleasing in cantering exercise at second lot.