steadied start, closer in 3rd 5f out, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on well into 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
bit keen tracking leader, every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish
led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd entering final furlong, still well there until weakened towards finish
pulled hard early, steadied last 5f out, smooth headway on outside 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, bit in hand
Fountain Cross has faced some tough tasks since winning a novice event at Haydock in June but is looking a bit exposed now. Percy's Lad, on the other hand, won his only start so far and Love Is Golden showed massive improvement to score at Ripon after finishing last on debut at Sandown. His stable companion GOLDEN FLAME is the only maiden in this but went down with all guns blazing over this trip last time at Salisbury and deserves a change of luck.
Fountain Cross 80-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 14 1/4l behind New Mandate (9-0) at Doncaster 7f lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Golden Flame (IRE) 11-4jfav (9-5) Led and set steady pace, pushed along and quickened 3f out, ridden over 1f out, narrowly headed and edged left briefly inside final furlong, rallied, always just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Longlai (9-5) at Salisbury 1m stks (4) gd in Sep.
Love Is Golden (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Restless in stalls, prominent, led over 3f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ripon 1m stks (5) sft in Aug beating Intello Boy (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Percy's Lad 15-2 (9-5) Midfield, headway 3f out, switched left and ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, impressive, won at Salisbury 1m stks (5) gd in Sep beating Freddy Flintshire (9-5) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
