held up, some headway over 2f out, soon no impression
held up, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, never dangerous
always behind
in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 4f out, soon tracking leaders, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, lost place well over 2f out
mid-division, weakened final 2f
tracked leader, shaken up to lead just inside final furlong comfortable
held up, never dangerous
mid-division, pulled hard, effort over 2f out, never on terms
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
In the 12-furlong handicap, Counterpunch is selected ahead of Thunder Rock, Alessano and Mikao. Counterpunch was impressive when scoring at Windsor last time and his record now stands at two runs, two wins. He looks sure to be popular again today and should go well. Despite having been raised six pounds for a course-and-distance win last time, Mikao still looks to us to be a contender today. Thunder Rock's fourth in a valuable Ascot handicap last time has already been franked and, given that he is lightly raced, he should have improvement to come and can go well today.The consistent Cool Customer's second to Macorville last time showed that he remains in form and he rates as a player today, while Alessano's third to Peppertree Lane in another valuable Ascot handicap last Saturday brings him firmly into things too. Topjeu scored well in a Bath maiden last time, although it was not a competitive affair, and Numeric is another probable improver, having met trouble in running last time when not beaten far. He can go well but, once again, the selection is Counterpunch.
Orange Touch (GER) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, eased when beaten over 1f out, last of 5, 32l behind Jadalee (8-7) at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Sanchi (IRE) 4-5fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 1f out, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Krugerrand (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Mikao (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, remained on far side entering straight, led and overall leader over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept beating Ti Adora (8-12) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Red Lancer 25-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon beaten, 13th of 15, 22l behind Peppertree Lane (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Gold Gun (USA) 40-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 5f out, eased when beaten 1f out, last of 9, well behind Theatre (8-10) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Pevensey (8-8) at Ascot 1m 4f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Cool Customer (USA) 7-2fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Macorville (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Alessano 33-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, every chance 2f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Peppertree Lane (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Eva Soneva So Fast (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden 3f out, no impression on leaders final 2f, 8th of 9, 10l behind Blue Bajan (9-2) at Ascot 1m 2f stk 0-90 (3) sft in Sept.
Topjeu (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) In touch, headway to lead 2f out, soon in command, won at Bath 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Aug beating Fisher Bridge (9-3) by 5l, 8 ran.
Counterpunch 9-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led inside final 2f, soon in command, stayed on strongly, won at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) sft beating Wannabe Posh (9-3) by 5l, 9 ran.
Numeric (GER) 6-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 6l behind Stotsfold (8-8) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
All The Good (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Always prominent, led well over 1f out, soon hung left, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept beating Quantum (9-3) by 2l, 9 ran.
King's Head (IRE) 6-5fav (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 4, 7l behind Steppe Dancer (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) pol in Aug.
Simondiun 14-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway when edged left from over 1f out, every chance just inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Zurbaran (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Warsaw Pact (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Soon tracked leaders, led 3f out, hung left and wide into straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Acrobatic (9-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Sept.
