hampered soon after start, headway after 1f to chase leaders on outer, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
soon chasing leader, led 4f out, driven clear over 1f out
led early, prominent, not much room and lost place over 3f out, ridden and rallied well over 2f out, one pace
soon led, headed 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, kept on, no impression
held up behind, ridden over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders until weakened final 2f
towards rear
prominent, weakened over 2f out
raced keen, steadied soon after start, always towards rear
Iced Diamond can gain another course-and-distance success here, with Magic Amour and Aswan appearing to be the main dangers. Iced Diamond gets on well with Shane Kelly who has been on board for both of the gelding's victories here. He goes well at this time of the year, and was not beaten far when second in a handicap nine days ago, and with Kelly taking over from George Baker, a return to the winner's enclosure looks imminent. Magic Amour is only Banded class these days, but has been very consistent and will not mind returning to the Polytrack, having been found wanting over six furlongs at Southwell last time. Aswan won here in November when allowed to steal a march on his rivals, but has not been in the same mood since and has a good few lengths to make up on Magic Amour on running just four days ago anyway. The market is the only guide to the chances of the rest who have all been disappointing of late, and Iced Diamond has obvious claims.
Aswan (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 21l behind Winning Pleasure (9-5) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs.
Magic Amour 10-3 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Winning Pleasure (9-5) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs.
Chickado (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 11l behind Roman Empire (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Dundonald 25-1 (8-12) Soon prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 10l behind Distant Country (8-12) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Iced Diamond (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, soon edged right, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Canadian Danehill (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Musiotal 9-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Only If I Laugh (8-13) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Jan.
Piccolo Prince 28-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, last of 12, 9l behind Ruman (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Wilford Maverick (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Soon led, headed over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Distant Country (8-12) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Jan.