We highlight four horses who caught the eye in recent days and are well worth monitoring with our free video replay facility.
Gallifrey - Lucy Wadham
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Champion jockey Jim Crowley is clearly right at the top of his game but he possibly gave the well-handicapped (and well-backed) Titi Makfi too much rope when riding Gallifrey in the nine-furlong handicap at Goodwood on Thursday.
The fillies’ race was completely dominated by three-year-olds and the suspicion is the first three are probably all worth following.
The eventual runner-up could not be classed as an unlucky loser but she was held up in the rear as the winner cut out the running and it was to her credit she got so close at the finish, staying on powerfully.
An impressive winner over a mile at Kempton on the second of her two starts as a juvenile, Lucy Wadham’s daughter of Sir Percy should appreciate an even more demanding test in time but can surely pick up a race around a mile and a quarter first, having clearly started out in handicaps on a perfectly acceptable mark (will no doubt go up to around 80 having gone into this race on 76).
Galactic Prince – A M Balding
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The apprentice handicap that opened Goodwood’s card on Friday evening may not live long in the memory but it did feature some relatively unexposed three-year-olds with the scope of going on to better things.
Among them was Galactic Prince who was sent off the 7/2 favourite and looked unfortunate not to oblige for trainer Andrew Balding.
William Cox waited a long time to ask his mount a question despite two horses, including a Mark Johnston runner, racing clear of the field and ultimately it looked as though he left his challenge too late.
He shouldn’t go up very much in the weights for this run, the eighth of his career, and compensation in a small race awaits, quite possibly over further given his dam stayed well and is from the family of decent stayer Grey Shot.
Pennsylvania Dutch – William Haggas
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It goes against the grain to put a winner in the eyecatchers usually and there is very little chance that Pennsylvania Dutch will be missed by the market next time he lines up given his connections and perfect two from two record.
However, he rates a mention for pulling victory out of the fire at Haydock on Saturday when far better value for victory than the half-length winning margin in a bunched finish suggests.
Awkwardly away from the gates and racing keenly, Ben Curtis had to come around the whole field to make his challenge in a competitive event for the grade but the son of Dutch Art still had enough in hand to take the spoils a shade cosily.
The assessor can’t get too carried away with this narrow success for a horse who has been a nervous character in the past. As he matures and settles mentally, he should continue to improve and he looks capable of making up into a smart handicapper.
Rebel De Lope – Charlie Hills
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Godolphin bossed Saturday’s card at Newmarket and their Parfait obviously proved to be well ahead of his mark with a pretty resounding victory stepping back up to seven furlongs with cheekpieces fitted for the first time.
He never saw another horse on his way to a seven-length victory, for which he will face a significant rise in the ratings. It’s fair to say he got a fairly soft lead but those who even vaguely attempted to go the early gallop finished out the back of the field and it was left to the closers to battle it out for the minor honours, so the winner is not to be underestimated after reassessment.
Six Strings won the scrap for second and he looks a classy type who may appreciate a drop back to six furlongs, while third Town Charter was near the back early on and looks a typical Mark Johnston-trained three-year-old who will relish a mile and further as the season goes on.
However, the one who looks ready to strike soon is fifth Rebel De Lope, who was tried at Listed level a couple of times last season and had proved a shade disappointing in his first two starts in 2017.
The Hills yard has been a touch quiet but does appear to be turning a corner now and this effort suggested this horse is not only becoming well handicapped, but also looks right back on good terms with himself physically.
He was checked in his run momentarily when the pace quickened and can be marked up on the bare form.
