tracked leading trio, went 2nd went 2nd on outside 3f out, led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, eased close home
held up last, headway into 3rd over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with easy winner
soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened quickly, well tailed off
tracked leading pair until pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, no impression when lost 2nd entering final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up in last pair, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
None of these inspire much confidence but BLACK ICEMAN scored over hurdles in June and has been placed over today's trip on the all-weather before. Mr Fickle has also won over timber recently and could be thereabouts while Born To Reign gets another chance to prove he stays this distance after a third over 1m5f at Bath. Fire In Babylon scored over 1m4f at Wolverhampton earlier but his previous efforts at 2m leave something to be desired.
Mr Fickle (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside after 5th, led before 2 out, 5 lengths clear when mistake last, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp (5) gd in May beating Sleeping City (11-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
Fire In Babylon (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) In rear, ridden over 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Serenity Now (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Hoonose 33-1 (8-11) Always behind, last of 10, 17l behind Comedy House (9-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Black Iceman 5-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Ennistown (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gf in Jul.
Born To Reign 5-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Wild Desert (8-9) at Bath 1m 5f hcp (6) fm in Jul.
L Ge R 33-1 (8-5) Held up in last trio, ridden and some headway inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 9th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Barbary (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.