slowly away, soon ridden in rear, detached after 2f, tailed off
prominent, effort well over 1f out, kept on same final furlong
made all, hard driven over 1f out, ran on strongly
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge from 2f out, soon one pace
dwelt, chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, never a threat
IT'S THE ICE looks up to winning at this level given he found only one too good at Newcastle on his debut and then again at Leicester. Ian Fleming also finished runner-up on his latest start but was still beaten seven lengths while Rock Warbler never threatened on his racecourse debut and also needs to improve. The newcomer Brandberg may well prove better than stablemate Space Mountain, a modest fifth at Haydock last time, while the remainder are even harder to fancy.
Brandberg (IRE) Cape Cross colt out of Eaton Street.
Ian Fleming 9-2fav (9-5) Led, clear when ridden over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Special Season (9-5) at Sandown 7f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
It's The Ice 2-1fav (8-13) With leaders, hung right, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace, held inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Le Roi Du Temps (9-2) at Leicester 7f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
Rock Warbler (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Beast Mode (9-5) at Newcastle 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Aug.
Top Of The Rocks (FR) 5-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, outpaced over 3f out, headway well over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 6, 6 1/2l behind Daleelak (9-5) at Musselburgh 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Sep.
Waneen (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) With leader, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Pharaoh (9-5) at Bath 5f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Space Mountain (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Dal Harraild (9-0) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Sep.