Gosden's Middle Park bid on ice

Trainer John Gosden has warned that likely favourite Iceman could miss tomorrow’s Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

The Manton handler is concerned about the ground at Headquarters as it has changed to good, good to soft in places after some heavy rain today.

“I have got great concerns now about the ground and I am worried that the stalls are still going to be positioned on the far side and horses will be facing ground they should not canter on,” said Gosden.

“No criticism, it was just loose ground and it rained.

“I don’t want to take anything away from the winner of the Cheveley Park but we have got five fillies that have almost finished in a line.

“They just can’t get hold of the ground and quicken up when it’s loose on top like that.

“I just hope they move the stalls out 20 yards to give us some fresh ground for tomorrow.”

Iceman went under to Etlaala in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster earlier this month when he was beaten just half a length despite giving weight away to the winner.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned son of Polar Falcon had previously been an impressive winner of the Coventry Stakes on fast ground at Royal Ascot.

Gosden added: “I will walk the track and talk about it with Mr and Mrs Thompson and make a decision.”

Clive Brittain supplemented Satchem for the race last Saturday after he won the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton on his last run.

The son of Inchinor was with David Loder at the beginning of the season but he switched to Brittain’s yard after being bought by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum.

He won a maiden and a handicap for Loder before taking the Group Three event for Brittain earlier this month, where he beat Godolphin’s Council Member a length and a half in the six-furlong race.

“The way he won at Kempton, the way he came through and won very comfortably must give him a good chance. He’s done nothing but improve,” Brittain said.

“Kieren (Fallon) thought he could have waited a bit longer and still won easily. It was a solid Group Three and obviously there’s dangers here again, but he must have a chance.

“We have got Frankie (Dettori) on him which will give him a bit of an edge.”