held up, fell 3rd
led 2nd to 3rd, stayed with leaders, ridden and outpaced after 8th, rallied approaching last, kept on
led to 2nd, led again 4th to 6th, ridden to lead again 2 out, driven out
in touch, headway approaching 6, outpaced after 3 out, rallied approaching last, one pace last
with leaders, led 3rd to 4th, led again 6th, ridden after 3 out, headed and blundered 2 out, every chance flat, not quicken towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, soon weakened
mistakes, keen, tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind
held up, pecked 7th, ridden after next, no impression
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Icy Prospect won his bumper in fine style at Perth just over a fortnight ago and will be very hard to beat if he transfers any of that obvious ability to hurdles. Like A Lord and Lou Du Moulin Mas are interesting opponents that set the standard out of those with previous experience in this sphere, while Galleon Beach had bits and pieces of form on the level that suggested he can make an impact in the winter game. He is one to bear in mind for a place if supported. Like A Lord has taken a little time to get the hang of what is required of him but did well to get within two lengths of Liberman on his seasonal reappearance at Market Rasen. A similar effort will bring him right into the reckoning today but he would not want the ground to soften any further from the overnight description of good. Lou Du Moulin Mas failed to get home over three miles last time and will appreciate the drop in trip. However, it was a very weak race that he won at Newton Abbot and he may be vulnerable to a less exposed rival. This is where Icy Prospect comes in. The son of Glacial Storm could do no more than win his bumper on his only start to date, where Anthony Evans was little more than a passenger for the final three furlongs. He was showing no signs of stopping on that occasion, so the step up in trip should not be a problem for him. Twiston-Davies is also sure to have schooled him well for his hurdles debut, so everything looks to be in place for a bold bid from Icy Prospect here.
