We've teamed up with Timeform to preview Friday's Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood, where David O'Meara's thriving Prompting is backed to go in again.
The Top-Rated
Prompting (Timeform weight-adjusted rating 129p)
Prompting didn’t make his debut until October of his three-year-old season but he showed ability from the outset and progressed gradually in five starts for Olly Murphy. He then took a big step forward on his first start for David O’Meara at Ayr earlier this month, winning by two lengths with plenty in hand, looking like a horse worth following.
Prompting was well backed to defy an 8 lb higher mark at York on Saturday and he justified that confidence, travelling strongly and finishing well on top in a race that should prove to be strong form.
This half-brother to Group 1 winner One Master is improving leaps and bounds, is now two from two for the yard and he is obviously well treated under a 3 lb penalty.
The Improver
Sir Busker (125)
Prompting is the only runner in the field with the small ‘p’ attached to his rating – signifying improvement is likely – but there are also reasons to think that Sir Busker has yet to reach his limit.
Sir Busker beat subsequent Hunt Cup winner Dark Vision when prevailing in a red-hot race at Newcastle on his return to action in June, and he followed up in the Silver Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, staying on strongly to get up close home.
He dropped back in trip to seven furlongs for the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last time and he ran a huge race, doing well to come from out the back to claim second. He’s clearly thriving at present and may even have a bit more to offer stepping back up in trip to a mile.
Timeform Flag
Vale Of Kent (Horses For Courses)
Goodwood is a tricky course that can catch some horses out, but Vale of Kent has yet to finish out of the frame in five starts at this venue – form figures here read 32142 – and he was a fine second in this race last year, doing well to sustain his effort having been in the firing line throughout, ultimately beaten only by a thriving three-year-old.
His form has been something of a mixed bag this campaign, though he did run a cracker to finish fourth in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot earlier in the campaign. He needs to bounce back from a couple of poor efforts, including in the International Handicap at Ascot last time, but there have been excuses and the return to Goodwood might spark a revival.
The Verdict
Prompting has made rapid improvement since joining David O’Meara’s yard, winning twice from his two starts and impressing on both occasions. He is a very well-bred sort who has more improvement in him and also has the advantage of a low draw (stall 2). Vale Of Kent finished runner-up in this last year and it would be little surprise if he made his presence felt again.
Timeform Weight-adjusted Ratings
- 129p Prompting
- 127 Willie John
- 125 Sir Busker
- 124 Fox Premier
- 124 Cliffs Of Capri
