COUNTER ATTACK!
ATTEMPTING to beat Frankie Dettori in a top-class flat race at the moment is akin to playing Shane Warne with a tooth pick, but CROSS COUNTER (3.35) looks a sporting bet to dethrone the imperious Stradivarius in today’s Qatar goodwood Cup.
The two-time winner of this afternoon’s staying feature race arrives in great form once more courtesy of a snug gold Cup win at Royal Ascot where he again showcased his versatility.
A modest gallop, set by Dee ex Bee, required Stradivarius to utilise his trademark turn of foot to extricate himself from a pocket turning for home, but once he was in the clear there was only going to be one winner.
in the circumstances, Cross Counter emerged with plenty of credit as his sectional time from the three-furlong marker was identical to Stradivarius’s but, because he was held up in rear to help him get the trip on easy ground, he faced a near-impossible task to reel in his adversary.
Although a return to the Sussex Downs will play to the strengths of Stradivarius, a change of venue may also assist Cross Counter, who broke the goodwood track record for a mile-and-a-half last year when winning the gordon Stakes.
Some questioned that form given the selection only beat three rivals, but a subsequent win in the Melbourne Cup emphasised it was a performance to respect and a win in Dubai reinforced the view Cross Counter is a smart stayer on his day.
The prospect of tackling better ground and that recent run at Ascot should also assist his chances of finishing closer to Stradivarius, who bids for a record-breaking third win in today’s showpiece.
earlier on the card, godolphin boast a serious chance of success courtesy of Setting Sail in the opening handicap, while Chesham Stakes winner PINATUBO (2.25) will be fancied to lift a cracking renewal of the Qatar Vintage Stakes.
SOTO SIZZLER (nap, 1.50) is also effective on undulating, switch-back tracks as his record at epsom and goodwood of 2-1-1-1 shows.
Admittedly, the trip is a little short of his best with the balance of his form over 12 furlongs but, if he is close to the main protagonists approaching the final furlong, he could be difficult to resist under Oisin Murphy.
SUEDOIS (3.0) has found victories hard to come by, but a combination of the first-time cheekpieces and a return to Sussex may see him exceed market expectations today. David O’Meara’s veteran may not boast the ideal profile for a winner of this race, but he was agonisingly caught on the line last year and he went well over a mile at Ascot in a strongly-run race narrowly won by Beat The Bank. The return to seven furlongs can see him finish closer to the runner-up that day, Zaaki, and looks a fair each-way bet.