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2.00 Goodwood – Qatar Stewards´ Sprint Stakes (Handicap)
On his run behind Steward’s Cup fancy Huntsman Close, Patrick Chamings Charles Molson has to have a place on the shortlist. He found life a little tough in competitive races as a three-year-old but a change of yard seems to have really helped him and having won at Lingfield in June, he chased home Roger Charlton’s five-year-old at Windsor at the end of that month. He has gone up another 3lb for that effort and he was a little unlucky not to make the cut for the main race. He is drawn in the centre which gives his jockey Jim Crowley options and having shown up well on his last two runs, it would be no surprise to see him go close again here.
Towards the bottom of the weights, Jan Van Hoof arrives here in search of a four-timer and was last seen getting the better of Derek Shaw’s Top Boy at Newmarket. He gets a 6lb penalty for his latest win over five furlongs and this extra furlong should if anything suit him better than the minimum trip. This race was nominated as a target after his latest win and he is one of four runners for a yard that have won this twice in recent years. He races off a career high mark but is clearly improving and it would be foolish to dismiss him.
Also towards the foot of the weights is The Hooded Claw who represents the yard of Simon Crisford, who has enjoyed a fine start to his time with a license. Purchased out of Tim Easterby’s yard over the winter, he was well-backed to make a winning debut for the yard but went down narrowly Bahamian Heights who had the benefit of race fitness on his side. Simon Crisford’s four-year-old has gone up 5lb on the back of that and although he looks to have a bit to find, like Noble Gift earlier in the week I would suggest backing him each-way as well as my main selection.
Peter Chapple-Hyam has long thought a lot of Direct Times and since returning to action in May, he has won two of his three starts. Tom Marquand rode him last time and keeps the ride on the four-year-old who could prove a bit better than handicap class with a bit more time. He is unexposed and clearly improving and looks one of the more progressive runners in the line-up.
However, my marginal preference is for Mick Channon’s SHORE STEP who won twice last season and turned in his best effort so far this term at York last weekend. He came off a strong pace like the winner but the saddle slipped and that surely cost him some ground on the winner. He won off a mark of 89 last year and only races off 92 here and with the in-form Silvestre De Sousa onboard, I think he can go close again this week.
2.15 Newmarket – British Stallion Studs EBF Chalice Stakes (Listed Race)
Despite being bought for 10,000 guineas as a yearling, William Muir is firmly of the belief that his filly Strawberry Martini can get some black type before long. We saw why last time when she made all at Sandown, booting clear in the closing stages to win by six lengths from a useful yardstick in Satellite. She has already won over two miles and 1m6f in her career although the drop back to 1m4f should be fine as she likes to race prominently. We have already seen a couple of horses get loose on the front at the July Course this term and it will be a case of whether anything is good enough to pass her. She should keep finding as she has run over further and she looks worth a place on the shortlist.
James Tate’s Urban Castle is also dropping back in trip having run in the John Smith’s Silver Cup at York last time. She stayed on from the back to finish fifth that day and the cheekpieces she wore there are now replaced with blinkers in a bid to eke out further improvement from the filly. She would like a strong pace to run at here which isn’t out of the question and with the headgear switched, she could make the frame.
However, Saeed Bin Suroor’s ENDLESS TIME continues to improve and made all when stepped up to 1m4f at Goodwood at the end of May. That form has worked out really well with the runner-up Simple Verse having won at Salisbury before following up in the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday. The Godolphin filly has won her last three starts and looks to have earned the step into this company. She has a had a break following two quick runs in May and if she returns better off, she could be tough to beat.
2.35 Goodwood – Educate A Child Stakes (Handicap)
Sir Michael Stoute’s Dartmouth looked a colt going places when drawing clear of the useful Space Age to win at Ascot three weeks ago. He won by four lengths off a mark of 83 that day and the handicapper hasn’t overreacted by giving him just a 6lb rise on the back of that effort. It is worth mentioning that he was receiving nearly a stone from the runner-up on that occasion but it was nevertheless an impressive performance and like many of his trainer’s horses, he seems to be getting better with racing. He is drawn well on the inside and with Olivier Peslier in the saddle, he looks to set a pretty good standard.
Richard Hannon’s Barreesh has also looked a horse on the up of late and won on his handicap debut at York a few weeks ago. A 300,000 euros purchase as a yearling, he didn’t run as a two-year-old but looked a strong stayer on his latest outing so the extra two furlongs shouldn’t pose too many issues for the gelding. His draw out in stall 11 is far from ideal but he continues to progress and he can’t be ruled out with any certainty.
However, I have had my eye on Brian Meehan’s SENRIMA on his last few starts and this well-bred gelding would have been three from three had he not run into a smart Godolphin performer on debut earlier in the season. He has won two small-field events recently, the latest of which came over 1m6f but he has shown a turn of foot in all his races so the drop back wouldn’t bother me too much. He still looked to be quite green when hanging off the bend at Haydock last time, which suggests there should be more to come and I think he could be the one with most ability in the race and we definitely haven’t seen the best of him yet.
2.50 Newmarket – British EBF Fillies´ Nursery Handicap
One of the more valuable nurseries of the season, this looks ultra-competitive and like the one at Goodwood earlier in the week, the form can be hard to weigh up.
Towards the top of the weights, William Haggas’ Tutu Nguru bounced back from her seventh in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot with a narrow win in a Novice stakes at Doncaster last time. She showed a good turn of foot to run down the leader and clearly has ability but will need to start better if she is to go close here. That inexperience should suggest that there is more to come from this lightly-raced filly and having been entered in the Lowther Stakes at York later this month, she deserves a second look.
Justice Lass who got off the mark at the third attempt when dropped back to six furlongs last time. There was plenty to like about her first two runs and she has improved with each of them but I definitely think that six furlongs is her trip. Having led, she showed a good turn of foot to quicken away from a smart rival at Windsor last time and I don’t think her mark of 79 is overly harsh. Tim Clark takes a useful 3lb off her back and I think she has a solid each-way chance in the race.
As we look of those at the bottom of the weights, my eyes are drawn to Jonathan Portman’s Poster Girl who won first time out at Newbury in June. She travelled well that day and although her trainer commented that he thought she would be better over seven, she had enough ability to run down the leader and get up on the line. With Danny Brock’s claim she only carries 8st on her back and with her likely to be doing her best work late on, she looks a player.
However, I slightly prefer the chances of Hugo Palmer’s EDIYE who was really impressive when winning at the second time of asking at Lingfield a few weeks ago. She was still a little keen and green but it didn’t stop her drawing clear to win by two and a quarter lengths at the line. The yard ran New Providence in this race twelve months ago and whilst they also have Nidnod in the line-up here I think this is the first choice. They continue to fire in the winners and with just 8st 3lb on her back, she looks likely to run a big race for her connections.
3.10 Goodwood – Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1)
This race could centre around the two Irish fillies who fought out the finish of the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. Aidan O’Brien’s Diamondsandrubies came out on top that day having been given an enterprising ride by Seamie Heffernan from the front. He set a good pace in front and kicked on just at the right time to hold off Legatissimo by a short-head. She was fourth in the Oaks prior to that and looked a strong stayer when winning at Chester the time before that. Despite her success last time I still feel she is better over 1m4f and it will be more difficult to get her own way in front here. Having said that, she has plenty of class and I can’t see her being too far away at the business end of the race.
As I mentioned, LEGATISSIMO was the runner-up under a more patient ride at the Curragh and I don’t think Wayne Lordan will be sat as far back as Ryan Moore did last time, given how much the winner found at the front. She finished ahead of most of her main rivals in the Oaks at Epsom but just didn’t see the 1m4f out as well as the winner Qualify. She showed she had enough tactical speed to win a 1,000 Guineas and I think Goodwood should suit her. Three-year-olds have won two of the last three renewals and of the Classic generation, I think on her day she is the best of this crop. A stronger run race should suit her better and I think she is the one to beat.
With nine runners, there may be some each-way value to be had in the race and the improving Star Of Seville would have to be high on anybody’s list. She was probably the worst affected by the scrimmaging in the straight at Epsom but she showed all of her class when staying on strongly to win the Prix De Diane at Chantilly last time. She has a bit to find with Legatissimo on their Oaks form but her trainer has won the last three renewals of this race and she wouldn’t be the first three-year-old to leave behind a poor run in the Oaks in this race.
3.45 Goodwood – Qatar Stewards´ Cup (HANDICAP )
The 6yo Hawkeyethenoo scooped the honours back in 2012, becoming only the second six-year-old winner in the last decade. The group with the most success are the 4yo or 5yos who have won eight of the past ten renewals. In fact it is the 4yos that have the stronger record outpointing the 5yos by 5-3. I won’t go to the trouble of listing them all as I am sure you can work that out for yourself but it has to be a concern for the likes of Tropics, Another Wise Kid, Dinkum Diamond and Boomerang Bob.
As with the Betfred Mile on Friday those running from the top or the bottom of the handicap don’t fair that well. To be precise, horses officially rated between 95 and 104 have won all of the last 10 renewals. There is perfectly good reason behind that. Horses towards the top of the weights are often fully exposed and therefore find it tough to improve again in such a competitive contest whilst those towards the bottom of the weights usually aren’t quite up to this level. If you rely on the ‘magic’ 95 to 104 rated horses you must consider every runner from Ashpan Sam down to Firmdecisions.
Closely related to official ratings is the weight each horse is asked to carry and as six of the last ten winners carried between 8st 11lb and 9st 7lb, this looks to be the desired bracket. Only three of this year’s field miss the cut, so on weight at least it looks best to avoid Tropics (9st 13lb), Lancelot Du Lac (9st 9lb) and Jack Dexter (9st 9lb).
Recent form also plays an important role in finding the winner as a horse that achieved a top four finish on their most recent start has taken six of the last ten renewals. This suggests that horses have to be at their optimum to run well here and it is not a race in which you should be hoping for horses to have a miraculous return to form. It clearly isn’t the be all and end all but it is something to bear in mind.
Also worth factoring into your calculations is the draw. If my memory serves it was the far rail that usually won but times seem to be shifting as 7 of the last 10 winners came from a pretty central draw (stalls 10-20). Because of the design of the course there are very few races in which the runners come down the centre of the course and it may well be that after 4 days of racing this provides the freshest strip of ground?
The final factor worthy of consideration is the betting and given the competitive nature of the race you are always going to get the odd shock. The Stewards’ Cup has had its fair share – Guinea Hunter at 33/1 and Conquest at 40/1 – but overall it has still paid to concentrate on those at the head of the betting as 8 of the last 10 winners have come from the first five in the betting. This race is notorious for the runners flip-flopping in the betting in the lead up to the race but as it stands at the time of writing Magical Memory is the favourite at around 6/1 with Huntsman Close his nearest rival at 7/1. Discussiontofollow is also popular as are the quartet of Tropics, Poyle Vinnie, Related and Tatlisu.
Shortlist
HUNTSMANS CLOSE – 6/6
Tatlisu – 6/6
Related – 5/6
Poyle Vinnie – 5/6
Conclusion
Roger Charlton’s HUNTSMAN CLOSE tops the shortlist having matched all six of our trends and he comes here on the back of a good win at Windsor last time. He was well-fancied for the Wokingham but bolted to the start and was withdrawn but he has otherwise been in good form since joining the Charlton yard last season. He finished last season by winning the Ayr Silver Cup and it is also worth noting that he ran well to finish sixth in the consolation race last year. He has gone up 4lb for his latest success but in terms of the trends, he looks the one they all have to beat.
Richard Fahey’s Tatlisu has also been well-touted for some of these big sprint handicaps in recent months and lost little in defeat at Hamilton last time. Apart from his run in the Wokingham where he wore blinkers, he has finished in the first four on all of his starts this season and should be thereabouts at the business end of the race. He also has a perfect profile in terms of the trends but I slightly prefer the claims of Roger Charlton’s five-year-old.
Towards the foot of the weights, David Simcock’s Related looks to have plenty going in his favour having finished fourth in the Wokingham before filling the same position in the Bunbury Cup three weeks ago. Having been drawn in stall 24, that is the only trend that he misses but he doesn’t have much weight and with Tom Marquand taking another 5lb off his back, he looks likely to show up well once again here.
The shortlist is completed by Mick Appleby’s Poyle Vinnie who made all to win the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton a few weeks ago with Tatlisu back in second place. That win came off a 10lb higher mark than he had ever won off before and even with a 6lb penalty it would not be too optimistic to think he can run well here. He is drawn on the far side in stall 4 but he is likely to race prominently so should avoid any trouble and he could have place claims in a wide-open race.
On his run behind Steward’s Cup fancy Huntsman Close, Patrick Chamings Charles Molson has to have a place on the shortlist. He found life a little tough in competitive races as a three-year-old but a change of yard seems to have really helped him and having won at Lingfield in June, he chased home Roger Charlton’s five-year-old at Windsor at the end of that month. He has gone up another 3lb for that effort and he was a little unlucky not to make the cut for the main race. He is drawn in the centre which gives his jockey Jim Crowley options and having shown up well on his last two runs, it would be no surprise to see him go close again here.
Towards the bottom of the weights, Jan Van Hoof arrives here in search of a four-timer and was last seen getting the better of Derek Shaw’s Top Boy at Newmarket. He gets a 6lb penalty for his latest win over five furlongs and this extra furlong should if anything suit him better than the minimum trip. This race was nominated as a target after his latest win and he is one of four runners for a yard that have won this twice in recent years. He races off a career high mark but is clearly improving and it would be foolish to dismiss him.
Also towards the foot of the weights is The Hooded Claw who represents the yard of Simon Crisford, who has enjoyed a fine start to his time with a license. Purchased out of Tim Easterby’s yard over the winter, he was well-backed to make a winning debut for the yard but went down narrowly Bahamian Heights who had the benefit of race fitness on his side. Simon Crisford’s four-year-old has gone up 5lb on the back of that and although he looks to have a bit to find, like Noble Gift earlier in the week I would suggest backing him each-way as well as my main selection.
Peter Chapple-Hyam has long thought a lot of Direct Times and since returning to action in May, he has won two of his three starts. Tom Marquand rode him last time and keeps the ride on the four-year-old who could prove a bit better than handicap class with a bit more time. He is unexposed and clearly improving and looks one of the more progressive runners in the line-up.
However, my marginal preference is for Mick Channon’s SHORE STEP who won twice last season and turned in his best effort so far this term at York last weekend. He came off a strong pace like the winner but the saddle slipped and that surely cost him some ground on the winner. He won off a mark of 89 last year and only races off 92 here and with the in-form Silvestre De Sousa onboard, I think he can go close again this week.
2.15 Newmarket – British Stallion Studs EBF Chalice Stakes (Listed Race)
Despite being bought for 10,000 guineas as a yearling, William Muir is firmly of the belief that his filly Strawberry Martini can get some black type before long. We saw why last time when she made all at Sandown, booting clear in the closing stages to win by six lengths from a useful yardstick in Satellite. She has already won over two miles and 1m6f in her career although the drop back to 1m4f should be fine as she likes to race prominently. We have already seen a couple of horses get loose on the front at the July Course this term and it will be a case of whether anything is good enough to pass her. She should keep finding as she has run over further and she looks worth a place on the shortlist.
James Tate’s Urban Castle is also dropping back in trip having run in the John Smith’s Silver Cup at York last time. She stayed on from the back to finish fifth that day and the cheekpieces she wore there are now replaced with blinkers in a bid to eke out further improvement from the filly. She would like a strong pace to run at here which isn’t out of the question and with the headgear switched, she could make the frame.
However, Saeed Bin Suroor’s ENDLESS TIME continues to improve and made all when stepped up to 1m4f at Goodwood at the end of May. That form has worked out really well with the runner-up Simple Verse having won at Salisbury before following up in the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday. The Godolphin filly has won her last three starts and looks to have earned the step into this company. She has a had a break following two quick runs in May and if she returns better off, she could be tough to beat.
2.35 Goodwood – Educate A Child Stakes (Handicap)
Sir Michael Stoute’s Dartmouth looked a colt going places when drawing clear of the useful Space Age to win at Ascot three weeks ago. He won by four lengths off a mark of 83 that day and the handicapper hasn’t overreacted by giving him just a 6lb rise on the back of that effort. It is worth mentioning that he was receiving nearly a stone from the runner-up on that occasion but it was nevertheless an impressive performance and like many of his trainer’s horses, he seems to be getting better with racing. He is drawn well on the inside and with Olivier Peslier in the saddle, he looks to set a pretty good standard.
Richard Hannon’s Barreesh has also looked a horse on the up of late and won on his handicap debut at York a few weeks ago. A 300,000 euros purchase as a yearling, he didn’t run as a two-year-old but looked a strong stayer on his latest outing so the extra two furlongs shouldn’t pose too many issues for the gelding. His draw out in stall 11 is far from ideal but he continues to progress and he can’t be ruled out with any certainty.
However, I have had my eye on Brian Meehan’s SENRIMA on his last few starts and this well-bred gelding would have been three from three had he not run into a smart Godolphin performer on debut earlier in the season. He has won two small-field events recently, the latest of which came over 1m6f but he has shown a turn of foot in all his races so the drop back wouldn’t bother me too much. He still looked to be quite green when hanging off the bend at Haydock last time, which suggests there should be more to come and I think he could be the one with most ability in the race and we definitely haven’t seen the best of him yet.
2.50 Newmarket – British EBF Fillies´ Nursery Handicap
One of the more valuable nurseries of the season, this looks ultra-competitive and like the one at Goodwood earlier in the week, the form can be hard to weigh up.
Towards the top of the weights, William Haggas’ Tutu Nguru bounced back from her seventh in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot with a narrow win in a Novice stakes at Doncaster last time. She showed a good turn of foot to run down the leader and clearly has ability but will need to start better if she is to go close here. That inexperience should suggest that there is more to come from this lightly-raced filly and having been entered in the Lowther Stakes at York later this month, she deserves a second look.
Justice Lass who got off the mark at the third attempt when dropped back to six furlongs last time. There was plenty to like about her first two runs and she has improved with each of them but I definitely think that six furlongs is her trip. Having led, she showed a good turn of foot to quicken away from a smart rival at Windsor last time and I don’t think her mark of 79 is overly harsh. Tim Clark takes a useful 3lb off her back and I think she has a solid each-way chance in the race.
As we look of those at the bottom of the weights, my eyes are drawn to Jonathan Portman’s Poster Girl who won first time out at Newbury in June. She travelled well that day and although her trainer commented that he thought she would be better over seven, she had enough ability to run down the leader and get up on the line. With Danny Brock’s claim she only carries 8st on her back and with her likely to be doing her best work late on, she looks a player.
However, I slightly prefer the chances of Hugo Palmer’s EDIYE who was really impressive when winning at the second time of asking at Lingfield a few weeks ago. She was still a little keen and green but it didn’t stop her drawing clear to win by two and a quarter lengths at the line. The yard ran New Providence in this race twelve months ago and whilst they also have Nidnod in the line-up here I think this is the first choice. They continue to fire in the winners and with just 8st 3lb on her back, she looks likely to run a big race for her connections.
3.10 Goodwood – Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1)
This race could centre around the two Irish fillies who fought out the finish of the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. Aidan O’Brien’s Diamondsandrubies came out on top that day having been given an enterprising ride by Seamie Heffernan from the front. He set a good pace in front and kicked on just at the right time to hold off Legatissimo by a short-head. She was fourth in the Oaks prior to that and looked a strong stayer when winning at Chester the time before that. Despite her success last time I still feel she is better over 1m4f and it will be more difficult to get her own way in front here. Having said that, she has plenty of class and I can’t see her being too far away at the business end of the race.
As I mentioned, LEGATISSIMO was the runner-up under a more patient ride at the Curragh and I don’t think Wayne Lordan will be sat as far back as Ryan Moore did last time, given how much the winner found at the front. She finished ahead of most of her main rivals in the Oaks at Epsom but just didn’t see the 1m4f out as well as the winner Qualify. She showed she had enough tactical speed to win a 1,000 Guineas and I think Goodwood should suit her. Three-year-olds have won two of the last three renewals and of the Classic generation, I think on her day she is the best of this crop. A stronger run race should suit her better and I think she is the one to beat.
With nine runners, there may be some each-way value to be had in the race and the improving Star Of Seville would have to be high on anybody’s list. She was probably the worst affected by the scrimmaging in the straight at Epsom but she showed all of her class when staying on strongly to win the Prix De Diane at Chantilly last time. She has a bit to find with Legatissimo on their Oaks form but her trainer has won the last three renewals of this race and she wouldn’t be the first three-year-old to leave behind a poor run in the Oaks in this race.
3.45 Goodwood – Qatar Stewards´ Cup (HANDICAP )
The 6yo Hawkeyethenoo scooped the honours back in 2012, becoming only the second six-year-old winner in the last decade. The group with the most success are the 4yo or 5yos who have won eight of the past ten renewals. In fact it is the 4yos that have the stronger record outpointing the 5yos by 5-3. I won’t go to the trouble of listing them all as I am sure you can work that out for yourself but it has to be a concern for the likes of Tropics, Another Wise Kid, Dinkum Diamond and Boomerang Bob.
As with the Betfred Mile on Friday those running from the top or the bottom of the handicap don’t fair that well. To be precise, horses officially rated between 95 and 104 have won all of the last 10 renewals. There is perfectly good reason behind that. Horses towards the top of the weights are often fully exposed and therefore find it tough to improve again in such a competitive contest whilst those towards the bottom of the weights usually aren’t quite up to this level. If you rely on the ‘magic’ 95 to 104 rated horses you must consider every runner from Ashpan Sam down to Firmdecisions.
Closely related to official ratings is the weight each horse is asked to carry and as six of the last ten winners carried between 8st 11lb and 9st 7lb, this looks to be the desired bracket. Only three of this year’s field miss the cut, so on weight at least it looks best to avoid Tropics (9st 13lb), Lancelot Du Lac (9st 9lb) and Jack Dexter (9st 9lb).
Recent form also plays an important role in finding the winner as a horse that achieved a top four finish on their most recent start has taken six of the last ten renewals. This suggests that horses have to be at their optimum to run well here and it is not a race in which you should be hoping for horses to have a miraculous return to form. It clearly isn’t the be all and end all but it is something to bear in mind.
Also worth factoring into your calculations is the draw. If my memory serves it was the far rail that usually won but times seem to be shifting as 7 of the last 10 winners came from a pretty central draw (stalls 10-20). Because of the design of the course there are very few races in which the runners come down the centre of the course and it may well be that after 4 days of racing this provides the freshest strip of ground?
The final factor worthy of consideration is the betting and given the competitive nature of the race you are always going to get the odd shock. The Stewards’ Cup has had its fair share – Guinea Hunter at 33/1 and Conquest at 40/1 – but overall it has still paid to concentrate on those at the head of the betting as 8 of the last 10 winners have come from the first five in the betting. This race is notorious for the runners flip-flopping in the betting in the lead up to the race but as it stands at the time of writing Magical Memory is the favourite at around 6/1 with Huntsman Close his nearest rival at 7/1. Discussiontofollow is also popular as are the quartet of Tropics, Poyle Vinnie, Related and Tatlisu.
Shortlist
HUNTSMANS CLOSE – 6/6
Tatlisu – 6/6
Related – 5/6
Poyle Vinnie – 5/6
Conclusion
Roger Charlton’s HUNTSMAN CLOSE tops the shortlist having matched all six of our trends and he comes here on the back of a good win at Windsor last time. He was well-fancied for the Wokingham but bolted to the start and was withdrawn but he has otherwise been in good form since joining the Charlton yard last season. He finished last season by winning the Ayr Silver Cup and it is also worth noting that he ran well to finish sixth in the consolation race last year. He has gone up 4lb for his latest success but in terms of the trends, he looks the one they all have to beat.
Richard Fahey’s Tatlisu has also been well-touted for some of these big sprint handicaps in recent months and lost little in defeat at Hamilton last time. Apart from his run in the Wokingham where he wore blinkers, he has finished in the first four on all of his starts this season and should be thereabouts at the business end of the race. He also has a perfect profile in terms of the trends but I slightly prefer the claims of Roger Charlton’s five-year-old.
Towards the foot of the weights, David Simcock’s Related looks to have plenty going in his favour having finished fourth in the Wokingham before filling the same position in the Bunbury Cup three weeks ago. Having been drawn in stall 24, that is the only trend that he misses but he doesn’t have much weight and with Tom Marquand taking another 5lb off his back, he looks likely to show up well once again here.
The shortlist is completed by Mick Appleby’s Poyle Vinnie who made all to win the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton a few weeks ago with Tatlisu back in second place. That win came off a 10lb higher mark than he had ever won off before and even with a 6lb penalty it would not be too optimistic to think he can run well here. He is drawn on the far side in stall 4 but he is likely to race prominently so should avoid any trouble and he could have place claims in a wide-open race.
enjoyed these Bitchy.
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