tracked leader, driven to challenge over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in rear, under pressure over 2f out, no impression
led until over 2f out, rallied and every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, never able to challenge
Tim Easterby has trained three of the six previous winners and the progressive ICEFALL can add to his tally. The latter bids for a hat-trick having shrugged off a 5lb rise to score over track and trip last time, beating a subsequent winner in the process - there looks more to come from him. Windsor winner Sporty Yankee failed to cope with a 6lb rise last time and Theos Lolly has struggled over longer trips since winning over a mile at Pontefract. Becky The Thatcher has been thereabouts over today’s distance of late without looking like winning but Kings Gold should appreciate the return to 1m4f as he looks for his first win.
Icefall (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, switched left 3f out, headway to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Space Mountain (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Theos Lolly (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, held up and behind, never involved, 8th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Poet's Word (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp stks (3) gf in Jul.
Kings Gold (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Glance My Way (9-3) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Jul.
Sporty Yankee (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, last of 6, 5 1/4l behind Athlon (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Becky The Thatcher 5-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, chased winner from over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind High On Light (9-0) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Jul.
Masterson (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Led 1f, tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Becca Campbell (9-1) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Aug.