mid-division, closer orders 6th, mistake 7th, soon ridden and one pace
tracked leaders, ridden when mistake 3 out, every chance 2 out, left in lead close home
always in rear
led, jumped right 2nd, soon clear, ridden and headed after 6th and weakened
in rear, steady headway 6th, ridden to chase leading pair 3 out, hung right and led approaching last, in command when hung badly right and unseated rider close home
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden when hit 2 out, headed approaching last and left 2nd flat
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, ridden and some progress after 4 out, soon one pace
towards rear, headway on inside 6th, ridden and weakend 2 out
ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway after 3 out, not reach leading trio
in rear when pulled up approaching 4th, dismounted
Croix de Guerre can give the Hobbs yard another winner, with Just In Time, Flying Spirit and Screenplay just three out to stop him. Croix de Guerre will benefit from being put back up to the trip over which he was successful in July after failing narrowly to overhaul Black De Bessy here in September. He could still do with some respite from the handicapper but should just about be good enough. Just In Time made all at Perth last time but has more to do here despite the claimer taking seven-pounds off his back, while Flying Spirit has topweight and returns from a fair effort over fences here in June. That lack of an outing might just count against him, and Screenplay was well held by Fait Le Jojo at Fontwell last time and might have come to the end of his run. Valley Ride will definitely be one to follow after he has had a run or two, but on this occasion we would rather side with Croix de Guerre.
Cool Roxy 10-1 (10-8) Prominent and keen, ridden and weakened 3 out, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Kalca Mome (10-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl (B) hvy in Feb.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, ran on flat, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Black De Bessy (10-13) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Sept.
Grave Doubts 66-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on from next, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 17, 9l behind Rooftop Protest (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Valley Ride (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led soon after 3 out, blundered and rider lost irons 2 out, driven out flat, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Mar beating Alrafid (11-8) by 4l, 7 ran.
Just In Time 25-1 (11-5) Made all, ridden 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Aug beating Lake Merced (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Screenplay 3-1fav (10-12) Held up, ridden and headway 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, left 2nd last, stayed on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Fait Le Jojo (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd.
Herne Bay (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway 6th, ridden and every chance flat, ran on, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Burundi (10-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gf in Aug.
Flying Spirit (IRE) 13-8 (11-6) Always prominent, left 2nd 6th, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, hung left after 2 out, every chance flat, ran on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Tigers Lair (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (D) gd in Jun.
