15:35 Goodwood

Friday 4 August 2017

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

Qatar King George Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 58.51s

(11)

Final Venture²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P T Midgley| OR: 112| D

16/1

Seems as good as ever this term winning twice in Meydan and then in Listed company at Haydock in June. Fine second behind Take Cover in a Listed event at York (5f, good) last time and has won on soft.

Form: 841952

(9)

Glass Office⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105

40/1

Smart performer at best, having won a Group 2 at York over 6f (good) in 2015. Was having only his second run since when returning from a two-year absence at Salisburyin June to finish fourth in a Listed event (6f, good to firm). Unproven on an easy surface.

Form: 46719/4

(8)

Kachy^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 107| BF| CD

25/1

Runner-up in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup over 6f at Royal Ascot last year. Hasn't quite scaled the same heights in Group races this season but only just touched off by Magical Memory in a conditions event at Haydock (6f, good to firm). Ground is a concern.

Form: 00-4502

(12)

Priceless⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 109| D

20/1

Fourth career win when landing the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock (5f, firm) in May. Couldn't back that performance up when well beaten in the Kings Stand Stakes at Ascot but has won on an easy surface and would be dangerous to discount.

Form: 41-1510

(5)

Profitable⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: C G Cox| OR: 116| D

9/4

Rattled off a sparkling hat-trick at the start of last season, including ploughing through the mud to win the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. A runner-up in this year's renewal on much quicker ground and holds rock solid credentials.

Form: 1467-22

(3)

Take Cover²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 111| CD

10/1

A credit to connections, having won this event in 2014 and 2016. Only fifth in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) but bounced back to his best when winning at York last month. Has won on an easy surface in the past.

Form: 360-751

(4)

Washington Dc^b1,t⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

4/1

Four-time Listed winner who still hasn't managed to land a Group race as of yet, though only just touched off in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in May. Well beaten in the King's Stand at Ascot and others look more likely.

Form: 7-71260

(10)

Ardad⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 104| D

20/1

Showed some smart form as a juvenile most notably winning the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and shaped well in the Group 1 Abbaye (travelled well). Just off the pace in two Listed events over 5f this season but easier ground in his favour.

Form: 9719-45

(1)

Battaash²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 115| D

9/2

Much-improved this season, impressively winning a Listed event and a Group 3 at Sandown (both good to firm), breaking the track record in the process. Clearly a hugely exciting prospect but unproven on ground this slow.

Form: 0333-11

(2)

Kyllang Rock²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: M Harley| T: J Tate| OR: 107| D

33/1

Upwardly mobile three-year-old, narrowly defeated in two starts in Listed company, including on soft ground at Haydock. Took a step backwards in first-time cheekpieces behind Take Cover at York last time but they are dispensed with here. Big ask.

Form: 12-1220

(7)

Marsha²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 115| BF| D

9/2

A close-up fifth in this race behind Take Cover last season but improved to land the Group 1 Abbeye at Longchamp (5f, good). Won a Group 3 at Newmarket on his return and respectable efforts in defeat since, so a potential player if handling the ground.

Form: 521-132

Non-Runners

(6)

Yalta⁴²

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: W Buick

Forecasts

Profitable (9/4), Washington Dc (4/1), Battaash (9/2), Marsha (9/2), Take Cover (10/1), Final Venture (16/1), Priceless (20/1), Ardad (20/1), Kachy (25/1), Yalta (25/1), Kyllang Rock (33/1), Glass Office (40/1)

There was much to admire about Battaash's track record-breaking performance at Sandown and he looks more than capable of winning Group races but he is, as yet, unproven on ground this slow which makes PROFITABLE a more appealing proposition on this occasion. Clive Cox's five-year-old won the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes in testing conditions last year and looked as good as ever when second in this year's renewal. Last year's hero Take Cover remains a potent force despite his advancing years and cannot be ruled out, whilst Marsha would also hold every chance if handling the ground.