Coral Henry II Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 35.36s

(4)

Cross Counter¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 118| D

11/8

Ready winner of the Melbourne Cup in 2018 (also won the Grp 2 Dubai Gold Cup in March 2019); often in the shadow of the brilliant Stradivarius last season, and that was the same situation (kept on from off the pace) in the Gold Cup 17 days ago.

Form: 4348-53

(1)

Dashing Willoughby²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 109

11/4

Game winner of the Grp 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, soft) in June 2019; soon beaten (seventh) in last year's St Leger; back with a bang, under a bold front-running shift at Newmarket (1m4f, Lstd) four weeks ago; may face pace competition.

Form: 14579-1

(2)

Spanish Mission¹²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: D M Simcock| OR: 110

9/2

Went from strength to strength last season; narrowly beaten (third) in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood (1m4f), before winning a Conditions race at Belmont Park (1m4f, good) the following month; stamina reserves are untested beyond 1m6f.

Form: 52131-6

(5)

Summer Moon¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102

12/1

Cesarewitch third (50-1); matched (even bettered) that form when a close third to Coeur De Lion in the Ascot Stakes (2m4f, good) 19 days ago; takes the leap into the unknown in a Grp 3 contest; thought likely to race towards the fore.

Form: 46134-3

(3)

Withhold^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 110| D

6/1

Cesarewitch (2017) & Northumberland Plate (2018) winner; has had issues since (bled prior to a tilt at the 2018 Melbourne Cup); his performances so far this season, inc in the Grp 3 Sagaro Stakes (Newcastle) don't serve to instil much confidence.

Form: 1015-74

Forecasts

Cross Counter (11/8), Dashing Willoughby (11/4), Spanish Mission (9/2), Withhold (6/1), Summer Moon (12/1)

A modest numerical turnout for the Group 3 Henry II Stakes, but the chances are that there'll be plenty of competition for the lead with the 2018 Northumberland Plate winner Withhold, the 2019 Cesarewitch third Summer Moon, and the 2019 Queen's Vase winner Dashing Willoughby all perfectly adept at setting the early fractions. Should such a pace tussle develop, Spanish Moon may be found wanting for stamina, playing firmly into the hands of William Buick aboard CROSS COUNTER. The Godolphin-runner (winner of the 2018 Melbourne Cup) was recently a remote third to the brilliant Stradivarius in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.