towards rear, headway on inner over 1f out, no impression when slightly hampered inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
close up, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish
towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon joined, ran on, headed post
soon led, 4 lengths clear over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked clear leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung left and headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace
in touch, wide into straight 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ridden to join leader, ran on, led post
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
Dougan pulled hard on his hat-trick bid at Wolverhampton but remains reasonably treated if his young rider can restrain him. Van Huysen has been racing over a mile and Archie Stevens scored over the minimum trip at Wolverhampton last week for which he's penalised. Crack Shot was in very good form over this trip during the summer and has had a nice break but Corporal Maddox has completed his double on Tapeta at Wolverhampton and a 5lb rise may just be enough to prevent a hat-trick. Kingscroft scored over 6f at Chelmsford and looked as though this extra furlong would suit when staying on at the same track a couple of weeks ago but the vote goes to MYSTICAL SAPPHIRE, a winner at Kempton in October and unlucky in-running on her next start at Chelmsford last month.
Kingscroft (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Foreign Diplomat (9-2) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Kung Hei Fat Choy (USA) 20-1 (8-2) Outpaced in rear, never a factor, eased over 1f out, last of 11, 22 3/4l behind Westwood Hoe (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Crack Shot (IRE) 2-1fav (9-6) Steadied start, held up, ridden and headway on outer approaching final furlong, pressed winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Black Dave (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Mystical Sapphire 5-1 (9-5) In touch, headway when not clear run over 1f out, switched right, kept on inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Natural Nine (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Corporal Maddox 8-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Red Harry (8-13) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Archie Stevens 6-1 (9-4) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Eland Ally (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Van Huysen (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Rocket Punch (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Dougan 5-2fav (9-1) Led, ridden 2f out, headed in side final furlong no extra, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind My Target (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Swiss Cross 11-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Corporal Maddox (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
