held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge
led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
pulled hard tracking leaders, under pressure over 2f out, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 2f out, never able to challenge
held up, never dangerous
soon prominent, weakened well over 1f out
held up, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong
always behind
It would be no surprise to see CROSS SECTION attract support and she's taken to get the better of Bob Stock and Downhill Skier. Jamie Spencer has ridden more winners for Ed Vaughan than any other jockey this season and has been the trainer's go to man. The filly makes a belated debut in handicap company after qualifying for a mark in June and sports cheekpieces for the occasion. She split smart performers Axel Foley and Mirrored on debut which was her only run on an artificial surface so could turn out to be well handicapped having disappointed on two subsequent starts on grass. Connor's Choice won well at Wolverhampton but could struggle to post a similar performance at this venue and of more interest is Downhill Skier who has run decent races the last twice including at this venue over six but he'll be far better served by the extra furlong. Stanley Goodspeed has place claims but Bob Stock is of more interest if the market gives out the right signals. He was well supported when losing a race in the Stewards' Room at Warwick and is still just 2lbs higher having failed to trouble the judge since. He should handle this track and is better than the bare form of his latest run suggests and should be monitored closely but Cross Section gets the nod at present.
Cross Section (USA) 11-4 (9-0) Led, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 10l behind Wotasparkler (9-0) at Warwick 6f fll mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Connor's Choice 14-1 (8-13) Led early, tracked leaders on inner, headway going well 2f out, led well over 1f out, edged right well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct beating Loyal Royal (8-13) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Crystallize 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind King Of Defence (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Stanley Goodspeed 13-2 (9-0) In rear, ridden, effort over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Black Dahlia (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Downhill Skier (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Black Dahlia (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Bob Stock (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, kept on, never near leaders, 8th of 16, 9l behind Amethyst Dawn (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Prominent until ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 10l behind Ocean Countess (8-12) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Golden Prospect 20-1 (9-3) Missed break, held up towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 9l behind Thunderstruck (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Istiqdaam 9-4fav (9-8) Held up in touch, headway well over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 20l behind On The Loose (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Imperial Skylight 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, some headway when not clear run briefly just inside final 2f, weakened soon after, 10th of 13, 7l behind Hereford Boy (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Shake On It 11-4fav (9-0) Chased leader to half way, prominent, went 2nd again over 2f out until weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 5l behind Final Drive (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol.
