14:25 Goodwood

Friday 4 August 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:15

Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 40.83s

(4)

Beat The Bank²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A M Balding| OR: 112| D

7/4

Only defeat in four starts came when below par in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) but bounced back to impressively win a Listed event at Newmarket in first attempt at 1m. Big threat if handling easier ground.

Form: 1101

(10)

Escobar^p1⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 106

12/1

Looked like a hot prospect, winning his first two starts at Newbury last year in convincing style but hasn't quite kicked on as expected. Never travelling well in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot but has been gelded since and may improve.

Form: 117-20

(7)

Forest Ranger²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 106| D

13/2

A winner at Redcar and Newcastle from his first three starts and not disgraced since stepping up to pattern company, finishing a 3L second behind Beat The Bank in a Listed event at Newmarket (1m, good) latest. Tall order to win this.

Form: 13-1652

(9)

Make Time¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D Menuisier| OR: 103| D

5/2

Impressive winner on soft ground at Salisbury on his second start and, though below par in a Newbury Group 3 next time (good to firm) he bounced back with an easy handicap win at Sandown (1m, good) last month. Respected with easy surface in his favour.

Form: 21-71

(8)

Solomon's Bay⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 108

14/1

Good winner of a Listed contest at Epsom in June but form of that contest perhaps not the strongest for the grade. Struggled to land a blow in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) last time and plenty to prove stepping up to 1m.

Form: 10-0410

(5)

Zainhom⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 106| BF

5/1

Impressive York maiden winner (good to soft) who was second in a Group 3 last back-end but a shade disappointing in two runs this year, only finishing third when odds-on for a Listed event at Sandown (1m, good to firm). May do better on this ground.

Form: 312-33

Non-Runners

(11)

Trais Fluors²⁶

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: A Fabre J: Non Runner

(6)

Bless Him⁴³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: D M Simcock J: Oisin Murphy

(1)

La Rav²²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: L M Cumani J: Non Runner

(2)

Mr Scaramanga³⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: S Dow J: Harry Bentley

(3)

Ronald R²²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: M L W Bell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Beat The Bank (7/4), Trais Fluors (7/4), Make Time (5/2), Zainhom (5/1), Forest Ranger (13/2), Bless Him (13/2), Ronald R (8/1), Escobar (12/1), Solomon's Bay (14/1), La Rav (14/1), Mr Scaramanga (33/1)

In the absence of likely favourite Trais Fluors, it's Beat The Bank who sets the standard on the form of his impressive Britannia Stakes win. If he handles the forecast slower ground, he should prove too strong but, at the likely odds, it may pay to pass him over in favour of proven soft ground performer MAKE TIME who won his handicap debut in fetching fashion at Sandown last time. Zainholm is also interesting.