held up well off the pace in last pair, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on into 4th inside final furlong, kept on but never able to challenge
tracked leader, led 8f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dipped leaving stalls, held up well off the pace in 6th, headway over 2f out, went 2nd towards finish, kept on but never able to challenge
took keen hold, held up well off the pace in 7th, driven along and outpaced over 3f out
led 2f, settled 3rd 7f out, came centre 4f out, went alone to far side over 3f out, well on terms, chased winner final 2f, driven and held when lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leading trio but never far away, led over 2f out, hard ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well
chased leaders, went 2nd 7f out until 3f out, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, 5th and one pace inside final furlong
well off the pace towards rear, never a factor
always behind
well off the pace in 5th, outpaced over 3f out, never on terms after
Nothing jumps off the page but ICEBUSTER arrives with the virtue of a consistent sequence in 2016 culminating in a runaway success at Bath last time, admittedly on much slower ground. Previous efforts were solid on good ground so conditions shouldn't be an issue and can handle a 7lb rise in the weights. Prendergast Hill has to come into consideration as he looked a handicapper to follow at the start of the season but has produced a real hit-and-miss campaign. Last time was a major miss on the all-weather at Kempton but if he recaptures the level of his previous run here when second to Oasis Spear, then he'll be involved. He's lightly-raced and it's too early to give up on him. Rotherwick is respected off a fair mark and it's very unusual to see Jonjo O'Neill field two in a race on the level so check out both See The Rock and Manny Owens in the market.
See The Rock (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, dist behind Cottersrock (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Icebuster 6-1 (9-11) Made all, hard ridden over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, redily, won at Bath 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jun beating Loading (8-13) by 7l, 7 ran.
Rotherwick (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, headed under pressure over 2f out, soon challenged, ridden over 1f out, every chance final furlong, took 2nd near finish, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Fallen For A Star (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Charlie Bear 25-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, driven over 1f out, never threatened, 7th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Strong Steps (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Jun.
Taper Tantrum (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Higher Power (9-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Prendergast Hill (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 8th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Higher Power (9-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
River Dart (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 13 1/2l behind Bermondsey (8-13) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Manny Owens (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 11th of 17, 17 1/2l behind Noble Inn (10-12) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
Defining Year (IRE) 66-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Third Rock (8-4) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Rahmah (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders ridden hung left and lost 2nd over 2f out, losing place when hampered well over 1f out, last of 9, 9 3/4l behind Dream Spirit (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
