tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, headway over 1f out, not clear run, switched left, one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, hampered 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always in the rear, tailed off 2f out
tracked leaders, led 7f out, headed 3f out, weakened
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3f out, went left and headed over 1f out, weakened
held up, headway over 1f out, switched right inside and kept on
held up and keen, mid-division, weakened 4f out
held up, headway 4f out, one pace when edging left inside final furlong
held up, always in the rear, hung right
led, headed 7f out, weakened 2f out
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on
With a weight for age allowance in form ICE BELLINI looks weighted to score here but will face strong opposition from Safin and Generous Star. All things being equal the selection should be near the top of the weights but as one of two four-year-olds in the field is given a five pound reprieve and finds herself midway down the handicap. The Filly has been running really well of late and only just missed out on victory over distance at Great Leighs last time out off a similar mark. Safin followed up success in a weak handicap hurdles to take a similar contest to this at Southwell on his last run. The six pound penalty incurred for that isn't a concern, he carries much more when jumping, but he may prefer cut in the ground so the polytrack surface is not his best. Generous Star is now down to a more than competitive mark after some near misses in similar race to this. He's still a maiden in both codes but is unexposed enough in this sphere to improve and challenge. King De Lune went jumping after some good performances on the level in France. Those came in regional events so it is unclear how they will translate and his form over obstacles was appalling. Rough Sketch could be one to consider off a light weight for a top yard but Ice Bellini seems to have the advantage on these terms.
Cantabilly (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) In touch, hampered and lost place 9f out to mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 5l behind Bombardier Wells (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol.
Noubian (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Held up, some headway over 2f out, 7th of 11, 16l behind Laurel Creek (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Josh You Are 16-1 (8-13) Raced keen, led after 2 1/2f, soon clear until 4f out, headed 3f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 34l behind Benhego (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Millagros (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 5th of 8, 8l behind Beldon Hill (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f fll hcp (5) pol in Jan '07.
King De Lune (FR) (8-12) won at Landivisiau 1m 5f stk gs in Sept '07 beating Testiglass (9-10) by a ns, 9 ran.
Safin (GER) 7-1 (9-1) In touch, led over 2f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Top Tiger (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ice Bellini 13-2 (9-6) Held up, under pressure over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, hd behind Little Carmela (10-0) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Generous Star 7-2fav (9-8) Held up, headway over 4f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 8l behind Dansilver (9-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Dr McFab 33-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 20l behind Blakfrankisch (9-5) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Capitalise (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no progress, kept on one pace, 8th of 9, 4l behind Ardmaddy (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Drumhallagh (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered entering final furlong, 8th of 10, 5l behind Royal Choir (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Border Tale 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ran wide on bend 4f out, soon lost place, 9th of 11, 17l behind Corlough Mountain (10-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f amt hcp (6) pol.
Rough Sketch (USA) 13-2 (8-13) Chased leader, led over 8f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened, 8th of 14, 5l behind Lytham (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.