chased leader to 2f out, one pace and held when switched right over 1f out weakened final furlong
out paced 4f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to take 2nd last stride, not reach winner
held up, effort on outside over 1f out, stayed on never nearer
held up, never near to challenge
led, edged left from 2f out, soon headed, stayed pressing winner final furlong, not quicken and caught for 2nd last stride
reminder soon after start, close up led well over 1f out, soon edged left, driven out
chased leaders until weakened from 3f out
Croix De Guerre looks a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver and is taken to land this ahead of Windsor winner Haile Selassie and Colourful Lady. Admittedly the selection has been well beaten in all three starts, including over this trip on the all-weather last time, but, as a result, he has been allotted a low mark and the trainer's record with this type of horse is second to none. Haile Selassie did not seem to beat much last time and has more to do off his new mark here so a bigger threat may be Colourful Lady, who runs for the sponsor Peter Harris. She was unlucky last time when her saddle slipped but has been dropped 3lbs since and step sup in trip today. That could bring about improvement in the daughter of Quest For Fame. The John Hills-trained Loves Travelling takes a drop in class and has to be respected, while Shares lost no caste in defeat at Warwick on Friday and is another to consider provided that race has not left its mark. However, Croix De Guerre makes plenty of appeal and gets the vote.
