We've teamed up with Timeform to preview Saturday's Celebration Mile at Goodwood and they think Regal Reality is worth following at the distance.
Top-Rated
Benbatl (Timeform weight-adjusted rating: 134)
Benbatl must shoulder a 3 lb penalty for winning at Group 2 level at Meydan earlier this year, but he still comes out narrowly on top on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings. The globe-trotting Benbatl - a winner at the highest level in Australia, Dubai and Germany - has proved that he is a high-class performer and he was especially impressive when winning the Joel Stakes on his reappearance at Newmarket last season, bolting up by five lengths. His Meydan victories were also achieved with ease, and he ran creditably when finishing third in the valuable Saudi Cup when last seen in action in February. He has a good record fresh, so the break should not be a concern, but softening conditions would not play to his strengths (disappointed on testing ground in the QEII).
The Improver
Sir Busker (133)
None of these has the Timeform ‘p’– a symbol that indicates improvement is expected – attached to their rating, but Sir Busker has a likeable, progressive profile and arrives on the back of a career-best effort, so you couldn’t rule out another improved showing. He has been contesting some of the most competitive handicaps of the season but has won a couple of times, beating the subsequent Hunt Cup winner at Newcastle and then landing the Silver Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. His only disappointment this season was over course and distance, when he finished in ninth, but that result doesn’t tell the whole story as he was consistently denied a run and essentially finished on the bridle. He quickly got back on the up at York last week, however, producing an impressive late surge to get within a neck of the winner, and he has earned a crack at this Group 2 prize.
The Timeform Flag
Duke of Hazzard (Horses For Courses)
Duke of Hazzard was bitterly disappointing in the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury last time, failing to beat a rival home, but his supporters will be hoping that a return to Goodwood will enable him to bounce back. Duke of Hazzard has a fine record here and won his first three starts at the course, including last year's Celebration Mile. He also ran right up to his best when runner-up in the Lennox Stakes here last month, the form of which was subsequently boosted by the winner, Space Blues, following up in Group 1 company in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.
The verdict
There may be only seven runners but this is a competitive contest with only 2 lb separating four of these on Timeform ratings. Benbatl just has the edge on the figures, but deteriorating conditions would be a concern and it could be worth siding with Regal Reality, who looked better than ever when landing the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury last time. Regal Reality has been largely campaigned over a mile and a quarter, but his wide-margin win at Salisbury proved he has plenty of pace, and this tricky track won't be an issue as he won over course and distance as a three-year-old.
Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings
134 Benbatl
133 Regal Reality
133 Sir Busker
132 Urban Icon
130 Century Dream
128 Duke of Hazzard
123 Positive
