chased leaders in centre, driven along to chase leader 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
took keen hold, prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd close home
held up, headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders
raced keenly, led after 1f, hung left to far rail halfway, clear 2f out, ridden hung left and reduced lead 1f out, headed towards finish, weakened to 3rd close home
narrow lead 1f, chased leaders, ridden and edged left 2f out, weakened final furlong
always behind
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, hung left and weakened 2f out
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out
Sky Falcon seems sure to be involved while Nicola's Dream is capable of better, but after an impressive victory at Wolverhampton WATER ICE deserves our vote. Tom Dascombe's filly pounced with a furlong to go at Dunstall Park to record a comfortable three-length success on her handicap debut, seemingly improving for the step up in trip. Of course there has to be a concern that she reverts back to turf here but we're hopeful the penny has dropped and if she can repeat the effort she'll be tough to beat under a penalty. Sky Falcon represents an operation whose juveniles seem to be coming to hand and he showed a likeable attitude at Leicester. The second, beaten a neck, has taken the same position in a nursery off 74 so there's surely every chance that this American-bred can put in a similar display off a pound higher, especially with further progress likely. Nicola's Dream is hard to assess as she was disappointing last time but her rating of 67 seems to reflect that and if she's back in the same form as when fourth to a better-fancied stable companion in June a big run is likely. Market Maker showed improved form at Beverley and is now tried blinkers but perhaps he'd want it soft, in contrast to Eland Ally who seemed to resent rain-softened conditions last time and is of interest now handicapping at a track he knows. Peppercorn Rent looks the yard's second-string and needs to improve on his recent winning form while Bradbury's latest second hasn't worked out despite looking good at the time. As is often the case it should pay to focus on the head of the weights in this nursery, with Water Ice just preferred.
Sky Falcon (USA) 9-1 (8-10) Made all, ridden and under pressure over 1f out, kept on gamely inside final furlong, won at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul beating Nothing To Hide (8-10) by nk, 12 ran.
Water Ice 9-2 (8-6) Pressed leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Jul beating Prophet In A Dream (8-3) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Nicola's Dream 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Jaahiz (9-3) at York 6f 2yo mdn aut (3) gf in Jul.
Market Maker (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Towards rear, outpaced over 3f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, kept on to chase leading pair inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Last Destination (9-3) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Eland Ally 5-2 (8-11) Keen, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 9l behind Chin'n Tonic (8-10) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn aut (4) gs in Jul.
Unknown Rebel (IRE) 10-1 (7-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Madany (9-3) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Imperial Waltzer 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders on outer, weakened well over 1f out, last of 9, 16l behind On The High Tops (9-3) at Newcastle 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in May.
Peppercorn Rent (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Raced far side, tracked leaders, led and overall leader entering final furlong, hard ridden, just held on, won at Ripon 6f 2yo sll (6) gd in Jul beating Blind Stag (8-11) by ns, 15 ran.
Golden Blaze 25-1 (8-1) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out ,kept on final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mica Mika (8-8) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Louis Girl 28-1 (8-1) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, last of 10, 11l behind Alaskan Spirit (8-13) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul.
Bradbury (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders in rear, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, always held by winner, 2nd of 3, 1 3/4l behind Bay Of Fires (8-6) at Catterick 7f nov auc stks 2yo (5) gd in Jul.
