led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, mostly chased winner after, no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd last strides
led 1f, tracked leading pair, led 2f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on strongly
held up in 4th, headway on outside over 2f out, every chance 2f out, ridden disputing well held 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 4th towards finish
took keen hold, held up in touch in rear, effort and hung right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
chased leaders, 2nd after 1f and raced keenly, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Welford’s previous attempt at 1m4f was less than convincing and it remains to be seen how Maestro Mac copes with the longer trip. Today’s distance is no problem for Icefall but he remains 7lb higher than when landing a double earlier this year. Luca Cumani’s runners seem in good order now and FOUR ON EIGHT (NAP) has gone close the last twice. He may well find that bit extra in today’s first-time visor and gets the vote with Ice Galley making little appeal.
Welford 5-1 (9-7) Held up behind, headway over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Wild Hacked (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Icefall (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, soon pressed, headed over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Tamayuz Magic (9-6) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Four On Eight 10-3 (9-1) Took keen hold early, tracked leading pair, switched left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd and stayed on inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Vincent's Forever (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Maestro Mac (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Dwelt, held up in rear but in touch, headway 3f out, kept on well closing stages, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Exoteric (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Ice Galley (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair over 1f out, lost 3rd final 50 yards, 4th of 5, 7 3/4l behind West Coast Flyer (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Jun.