Commander Crouch
Commander Crouch finished off his race well on the near side in the Tattersalls October Auction Stakes to take second place behind Woodhay Wonder, doing really well from his high draw and well back in the field early on in a race in which the low numbers dominated.
Favourite Zoulu Chief broke smartly from stall 14 and made his way to the front and over towards the far rail. He looked set for victory too, when he went clear inside the two-furlong marker. He couldn't sustain it though, as Woodhay Wonder stayed on strongly. Commander Crouch was well back in the field early on. Breaking from stall 22, he had to race on the near side of the field, as all runners tacked over towards the far side. He was still no better than 14th or 15th passing the two-furlong pole, but he stayed on strongly from there, keeping on best of all late on to snatch second place.
It was a fine performance by Richard Hannon's colt. The other three horses who, with him, filled the first four places, raced from single-figure stalls, while the fifth horse made his way over towards the far rail from early. Commander Crouch has had plenty of racing, but he is in a rich vein of form now, his last three runs are probably the best three runs of his career. He holds entries in nurseries at Newmarket this weekend, on Saturday and on Sunday, both races over seven furlongs, and he will be of interest now back in handicap company on his mark of 80. He should do better too stepped up in trip, and we know that he goes well on Newmarket's Rowley Mile.
Newmarket, 7th October 2023
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