led, headed over 6f out, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, soon edged left and stayed on
always in rear
led over 6f out, joined over 4f out, ridden 2f out, driven out
raced wide, tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and effort 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to challenge
held up, never a factor
dwelt, in rear, headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders
pulled hard, tracked leaders, joined winner over 4f out until 2f out, soon weakened
An interesting handicap where COOKIE CRUMBLES gets the tentative vote. Chris Wall's filly takes on some exposed runners and can hardly be called that herself after just five career starts. Dropped 6lb by the assessor since her handicap debut and over a trip that should suit, she is selected. Justcallmehandsome has had plenty of success at this track and is well weighted to repeat that if retaining his ability, so support for him would probably be significant. Perfect Friend might struggle to see this out against runners proven over the trip, while Aussie Blue should be very competitive but has gone up 2lb for a defeat here last time. Cross The Boss should be involved after rising 6lb for a course and distance win, though he is likely to have to negotiate traffic from a wide draw.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, pushed along to challenge 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Spanish Island (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Star Links (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, one pace straight under tender handling, 8th of 14, 9l behind Buaiteoir (10-0) at Dundalk 1m hcp 50-70 pol.
Blue Spinnaker (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Dwelt, towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, tailed off from 2f out, last of 9, 26l behind Destiny Blue (8-10) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Elijah Pepper (USA) 10-3fav (9-8) Dwelt, held up in rear, under pressure when hampered over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 8l behind Aussie Blue (8-11) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Justcallmehandsome 28-1 (9-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Bakongo (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Cookie Crumbles (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, driven along over 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 11l behind Compton Blue (9-6) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sep.
Toga Tiger (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) In rear and keen, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 17l behind Spanish Island (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Vertigo On Course (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) In touch, ridden to chase leading pair over 2f out, soon outpaced, lost place inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 7l behind True To Form (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Tanforan 10-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 5th of 11, 5l behind Casino Night (9-11) at Ayr 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sep.
Cross The Boss (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up, headway and not clear run entering final 2f, switched right 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Philosophers Guest (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Takajan (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, driven 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 6l behind Fleetwoodsands (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sep.
Perfect Friend 15-8fav (9-1) Tracked leader until over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased leader again over 1f out, kept on, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Fol Liam (8-0) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol.
