made all, forged clear entering final furlong, easily
slowly away, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
with leader, effort when hung left 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Le Toreador has the best recent form with his fourth in a handicap at Kempton a week ago standing out. However, he may have trouble giving so much weight to DESERT ICON here. The latter finished third over C&D a fortnight ago and looks set to take advantage of today's favourable conditions. Soopacal and Grudge have won at this track before but both have a bit to find with the selection on these terms, while Finn's Rainbow remains out of sorts and hard to fancy.
Le Toreador 7-2fav (9-7) Off the pace disputing 5th, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Sugar Beet (9-5) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Desert Icon (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Behind centre, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to go 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Six Wives (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Grudge 22-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon hung left, no extra near finish, 6th of 9, 4l behind Triple Dream (9-7) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) std.
Finn's Rainbow 66-1 (8-7) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 10, 23l behind Katy's Secret (8-0) at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs.
Soopacal (IRE) 7-4fav (8-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Global Village (8-7) at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs.