soon led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
dwelt in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden and kept on towards finish
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced 2f out
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon one pace
raced wide towards rear, effort 2f out, kept on, never dangerous
CLEAR ICE is nominated here ahead of Blue Neptune and Flaxen Lake. Dandy Nicholls is very good at placing his horses and he looks to have found a good opportunity for this 70-rated gelding. The blinkers are on again and he has a solid chance of reversing the form with Blue Neptune on 1lb better terms. The last-named showed a good attitude to win here last time and he has a very solid record in selling and claiming grade; another big run is anticipated. Reach For The Sky is considered dropped in grade, Captain Tony needs to improve markedly for the blinkers, whilst Flaxen Lake tries cheek-pieces for the first time and looks a player on a form line through Lewyn. Madam Isshe and My Mandy are well-treated at these weights and a bold bid from either would be no surprise now dropped in grade, however the vote of confidence goes to Clear Ice.
Blue Neptune 8-1 (8-7) Made all, hard driven over 2f out, strongly challenged over 1f out, all out, won at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo clm stks (5) pol beating Il Forno (8-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Clear Ice (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced halfway, stayed on over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 8, 1/2l behind Blue Neptune (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo clm stks (5) pol.
Reach For The Sky (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Keen, held up in touch, short of room over 4f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 14, 9l behind Honest Broker (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Captain Tony (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Chased winner, lost place 2f out, last of 5, 11l behind The Strig (8-7) at Kempton 5f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jan.
Flaxen Lake 9-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Lewyn (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Carolina Cherry (IRE) 50-1 (8-1) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 18l behind Maoi Chinn Tire (8-12) at Kempton 6f 3yo clm stks (6) pol.
Madam Isshe 20-1 (8-0) Went right start, raced keenly, soon prominent, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Pherousa (8-3) at Bath 5f 2yo fll mdn aut (6) gd in Sep.
My Mandy (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Liberty Lady (9-6) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.