held up, headway approaching 11th, led after 2 out, eased towards finish
led, headed 3rd, weakened 4 out
with leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed after 2 out, switched right approaching last, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 12th, rallied from 2 out, went 2nd towards finish
towards rear, took close order 8th, weakened when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Ice Melted, Corlande and Predestine are three against the field in the finale and the narrow vote is given to Ice Melted. The selection was a fair second behind Extra Smooth last time out, the step up in trip looks to bring about more improvement and he looks the one to be on. Corlande rates the main danger on his latest third behind Getinbybutonlyjust but he has had plenty of chances off similar marks without taking one and he is taken on with this in mind. Predestine is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he often finds less than expected off the bridle. Of the remainder Chopneyev could improve for the fitting of first time blinkers but for the winner we return to Ice Melted.
Ice Melted (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (11-6) In rear, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden and outpaced next, left remote 2nd and hit last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, well behind Extra Smooth (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) sft in Oct.
Nevada Red 7-2jt-fav (10-11) In touch when fell at the 12th in race won by Lucky Nellerie (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft, 12 ran.
Corlande (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) In touch, disputed lead 11th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, left poor 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Getinbybutonlyjust (11-5) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Predestine (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out, never trouble leaders, 4th of 14, 12l behind Southerndown (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Rowan Castle 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 13th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 49l behind Bridge Flight (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs (5) gs in Nov.
Before Dark (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-12) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 10, well behind Noir Et Vert (10-11) at Perth 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Chopneyev (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Never travelling towards rear, losing touch when mistake 11th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Wee Anthony (11-1) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
