always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, driven out
slowly into stride, held up, headway on inside to chase winner 2f out, challenged and swished tail from over 1f out, held close home
led, hung right most of the way, headed over 2f out, soon beaten
held up, headway on outside under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, outpaced by leading pair entering straight
Cross Fell is weighted to win this claimer and can do so at the main expense of Copperbottomed and Wee Buns. Cross Fell is officially rated 10lb clear here but at the weights both Rio Taffeta and Wee Buns have chances. The selection acts well at the track and over this trip and although not one to lump on he is taken to go in. Wee Buns scored here over 6f in September and ran a decent race last time over this trip at Lingfield, though he could not show much turn of foot over this longer trip. Rio Taffeta has shown form here before and has won over the trip elsewhere, though his yard are not really firing as they might at present. Copperbottomed stayed on well to beaten Mister Beano over c&d last time and even though he is not favoured at the weights here he would not have to improve a lot to figure prominently, but for today we prefer Cross Fell.
Cross Fell (USA) 2-1jt-fav (9-2) Led early, chased leader, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ten Pole Tudor (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Copperbottomed (IRE) 10-3 (8-12) Chased leader 6f out, led over 3f out, soon clear, easily, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo sll (6) pol in Nov beating Mister Beano (8-9) by 3l, 9 ran.
Rio Taffeta 4-1co-fav (8-12) Led for 1f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out and eased, 9th of 11, 10l behind Lord Deevert (8-7) at W'hampton 6f 2yo clm (5) pol in Aug.
Wee Buns 6-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Geezers Colours (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 2yo clm (6) pol in Nov.
Prunes 16-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 12, 13l behind Lujano (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 2yo sll (6) std.
What's For Tea 13-2 (9-2) Reared start, in rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders and effort over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Caprio (9-6) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.