17:40 Goodwood

Sunday 27 August 2017

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Molecomb Blue Handicap

Off time: 17:41 | Winning time: 57.32s

(2)

Operative¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: S De Sousa| T: E De Giles| OR: 70

15/8

Much better dropped back down to sprint trips the last twice, yet to win a handicap but should be capable of doing so off his current mark. Didn't see out his race last time, needs to avoid a repeat of that here.

Form: 067-922

(8)

Zipedeedodah^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J Tuite| OR: 69| D

10/1

Still 3lb higher than at the time of his last victory, at Lingfield in May, and has gone relatively close on some of his recent starts without suggesting another victory is imminent.

Form: 277344

(5)

Pour La Victoire^v²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Georgia Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 68| C| D

11/1

Ran a fine race at Brighton earlier in the month but less impressive here on Friday and nowadays seems better over further (though he has won over this trip in the past).

Form: 066027

(15)

Archimedes^p,t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Fran Berry| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 66| D

20/1

A winner at Bath three starts ago but 5lb higher now and probably too high in the handicap to show his best from a wide draw.

Form: 753159

(6)

Her Terms²⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: H Crouch⁽³⁾| T: C G Cox| OR: 67| BF

8/1

0/9 and looked a little bit difficult to win with last year but went close on a few occasions and possible that this new trainer may have found the key to her. Needs to overcome the absence since December.

Form: 254425-

(7)

Roundabout Magic¹¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Paddy Bradley⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 66| D

25/1

Solid efforts at this trip so far this season but those have mostly come in weaker races than this. Generally better on the all-weather and is probably playing for a place at best here.

Form: 341149

(11)

Captain Ryan¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: T J Murphy| T: G Deacon| OR: 61| D

9/1

Consistent when on his preferred fast ground, should be on a workable mark and is probably better over this trip, having acquitted himself well over further last time out.

Form: 232382

(4)

The Big Short⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 63| D

9/2

Won what was probably a slightly weaker race than this at Leicester a few starts ago, and ran very well in defeat last time out. Claims here off the back of those two efforts but less convincing on his intervening start.

Form: 3-58153

(16)

Harrison Stickle¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S W Kelly| T: J Gallagher| OR: 59

25/1

Now back below his last winning mark (at Bath last September), but not at his best so far this season and needs to leave his recent efforts behind him in order to figure here.

Form: 1/0-2708

(10)

Prominna⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: A W Carroll| OR: 58| D

16/1

Fair efforts so far this season but his turf victories have come on ground softer than what is forecast and would probably like some rain to be at his best.

Form: 3-36343

(3)

Ask The Guru^b¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Kieren Fox| T: M J Attwater| OR: 55| D

12/1

Has hit a fine run of form recently, and is up another 3lb from a victory at Brighton last time out. Likely to be challenged for the lead here but is drawn well and should go close once again.

Form: 584211

(13)

Deer Song²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Mitch Godwin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 54

33/1

Longstanding maiden who is 0/35 overall. Has gone close on occasion but this doesn't seem like a suitable opportunity to get off the mark.

Form: 268959

(12)

Molly Jones⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-5| J: Ryan Powell| T: Mat Salaman| OR: 49| D

40/1

Not an appealing record since switching to this yard, with her sole victory in that time having come in a much weaker race than this; easy to oppose here.

Form: 744006

Non-Runners

(1)

Fujin¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: S A Harris J: Charlie Bennett

(14)

Flowing Clarets¹¹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: J J Bridger J: William Carson

(9)

Dr Doro⁵⁰

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: Josephine Gordon

Forecasts

Operative (15/8), The Big Short (9/2), Her Terms (8/1), Fujin (8/1), Captain Ryan (9/1), Zipedeedodah (10/1), Pour La Victoire (11/1), Ask The Guru (12/1), Flowing Clarets (14/1), Prominna (16/1), Archimedes (20/1), Roundabout Magic (25/1), Harrison Stickle (25/1), Deer Song (33/1), Dr Doro (33/1), Molly Jones (40/1)

Despite the big field quite a few of these arrive in poor form, and ASK THE GURU looks the best option. This seven year old gelding has been in good form recently, and up only 3lb for a recent victory at Brighton he is taken to secure a hat-trick in a race which may not take much winning, provided he doesn't burn himself out by taking others on for the lead early on. Jim Crowley gets on well with The Big Short and he is also respected, as well as Fujin, who may prefer the all-weather but has also run some big races on turf.