Cross Counter out to strike in Gordon Stakes

Progressive three-year-old Cross Counter steps up to G3 level for the Gordon Stakes over a mile and a half on the fifth and final day of Glorious Goodwood, Saturday, 4 August. 

The son of Teofilo, who is trained by Charlie Appleby, came from last to first for a convincing two-length victory over the same distance in an Ascot handicap on 14 July. 

He ran well over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot when coming home fourth in the King George V Handicap on 21 June and filled the runner-up spot on his return from a break in a 10-furlong novice race at Sandown Park earlier the same month. 

Cross Counter started out with two wins on Tapeta at Wolverhampton, winning novice races on debut in December and when scoring by eight lengths in an extended nine-furlong contest in January. 

He faces three rivals in the Gordon Stakes - Dee Ex Bee, who was second to Godolphin’s Masar in the G1 Derby, G2 Ribblesdale Stakes third Sun Maiden and Doncaster winner Bombyx. 

Charlie Appleby said: “We were very pleased with Cross Counter’s victory at Ascot and he brings a progressive profile into this race. 

“He is stepping up in class but we feel that he is capable of taking on better horses now and this should hopefully give us a pointer for the rest of the season.”