in rear, ridden over 4f out, keeping on but no chance when switched left 1f out
made all, clear over 3f out, eased inside final furlong, comfortably
held up, headway and switched left over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
close up, ridden to chase clear winner 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
in rear, headway when not clear run over 3f out, ridden to chase clear winner 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
close up, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden 3f out, never near leaders
It's hardly surprising that the assessor has hit ICEBUSTER with an 11lb rise for a very easy victory at Sandown and this progressive type looks one to follow until beaten. Stentorian was beaten a very long way that day but West Brit enjoyed the heavy conditions at Newcastle in a race that has worked out well and further rain would greatly enhance his chances. Red Inca could prove a threat as he won nicely at Sandown before finding Chester's turns too much for him but Pivotman has been running poorly over longer trips and his debut success over Carlton House now seems a very long time ago. Swift Bird tackles this trip for the first time but hasn't been stopping over a mile and her overall form puts her well in the picture.
Icebuster 7-4fav (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, still last and plenty to do 3f out, good headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders edged right and led over 1f out, soon forged clear, easily, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Dean Swift (9-5) by 6l, 12 ran.
Pivotman 9-2 (9-5) Chased leader, stayed alone far side 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 12l behind Tameen (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
West Brit (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders, over 3f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, soon hung left under pressure, ridden out, won at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stks (5) hvy in Aug beating Lifetime (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Gobooll 6-1 (9-1) Raced wide tracked leader until 6f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 8, 11l behind Midsummer Sun (9-5) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Highlife Dancer 16-1 (8-11) In rear, ridden 3f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 8, 14l behind Sandusky (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Stentorian (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Ran in snatches in mid-division, driven on outside over 3f out, effort under pressure and edged right inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 17l behind Icebuster (8-11) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Swift Bird (IRE) 3-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden to chase leader over 3f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Ffos Las 1m fll mdn stks (4) gd in Aug beating Vita Lika (8-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Red Inca 4-1 (9-5) Dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Spanish Plume (9-2) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Captain Loui (IRE) 3-1 (8-7) Chased leader until 5f out, chased leaders, lost place halfway, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 10l behind I Confess (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol in Apr.
