slowly into stride, outpaced, never dangerous
dwelt, outpaced, headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked winner, hard ridden to challenge over2f out, stayed on strongly, not reached winner
held up in touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, outpaced halfway, stayed on over 1f out, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
made all, hard driven over 2f out, strongly challenged over 1f out, all out
held up in touch, ridden from 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well close home
Clear Ice is the highest rated horse in this field but could struggle to contain the challenge of stablemate IL FORNO who may have more to fear from Magenta Strait. The booking of Jamie Spencer for the selection certainly takes the eye and he comes here with match sharpness on his side. He was well held last time but that run came at Southwell so may be worth forgiving as it was his first attempt on the surface and better is expected on his return to the polytrack. In contrast, Clear Ice would have stronger claims if this were run at Southwell as he's run his best races at that venue and has something to prove at this track in first time blinkers. Magenta Strait has already won over course and distance and is worth the chance to prove that her latest outing was just a blip as she had made a promising start to her career. Blue Neptune will appreciate the return to claiming company whilst market support for Bird Call should be taken seriously but preference is for Il Forno.
Shawkantango 100-1 (8-5) Slowly away, soon outpaced, always behind, last of 6, 38l behind Shearman (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
Crystal Glass 66-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, soon pushed along, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 23l behind Solicitor (9-3) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) fbs in Nov.
Il Forno 3-1 (8-9) Took keen hold in touch, ridden halfway, switched right over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Set Back (8-8) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Micky's Knock Off (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Pulled hard, soon pressed leader, led halfway, headed when hung left and bumped winner well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Cookie Galore (8-9) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Clear Ice (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Pressed leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Anjomarba (8-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs in Jan.
Bird Call (IRE) 13-2 (8-3) Went left start, outpaced, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 11, 6l behind Fair Passion (8-8) at Southwell 5f mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Blue Neptune 16-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 9l behind Lewyn (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Magenta Strait 5-2fav (8-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind Anjomarba (8-2) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Feb.
