13:50 Goodwood

Tuesday 31 July 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 2m 8.5s

(14)

Rainbow Rebel¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 105| D

10/1

Arrives here bidding for a four-timer. Most impressive when winning a valuable handicap at Haydock earlier in the month before staying on in good fashion at Chester. Drop back in trip a minor concern and 7lb higher back in a deeper race here.

Form: 342111

(4)

Afaak⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C Hills| OR: 104

8/1

Ended 2017 with an excellent second at Newmarket. Improved from his reappearance with a York win and followed that with a fine second in the Royal Hunt Cup last time. Only up 1lb for that and likely to stay this trip. Wouldn't want too much rain.

Form: 442-012

(10)

Dark Red^b³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 102| D

10/1

Unlucky to lose this race in the stewards' room last year. 10lb higher this time around but has been running well in defeat all season. Won't mind any rain that arrives and while others may be better handicapped, he's not without each-way claims.

Form: 472332

(15)

Appeared^v1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 102

8/1

Progressive since joining this yard but there's signs the handicapper has caught up with him too some extent now. Seemingly tapped for toe over a bit further at York last time and the trip is a concern again. Wears a first-time visor.

Form: 1258-49

(2)

Pivoine^v²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| D

9/1

Won his last two races for Sir Michael Stoute and came to hand for his new yard with a mightily impressive success at Sandown (runner-up boosted the form). Couldn't follow up in a messy race back at Sandown last time but may be able to bounce back.

Form: 11-0714

(5)

Silver Line⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 98

9/1

Not won since his debut. Running okay in defeat at Meydan this year and ran to a similar level at Sandown last time when delivered late. May be in need of some relief from the handicapper.

Form: 5/45563

(13)

Plutonian⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: C Hills| OR: 97| D

20/1

Won his final start of 2017 and bounced back from his seasonal reappearance when making all at Windsor in May with Rainbow Rebel in behind (11lb better off with that rival). All his best form has come on quick ground or AW so may not want rain.

Form: 1361-01

(7)

Original Choice²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97

9/1

Won a competitive Wetherby handicap and may have found the ground too fast at Sandown last time. Generally consistent when there's cut in the ground and lightly raced for his age; should go well if there's soft in the going with yard in fine form.

Form: 122-010

(3)

Alfarris^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| D

13/2

Impressive when beating Rainbow Rebel at Chelmsford on seasonal return and arrives 8lb better off at the weights with that rival. Looked like the winner at Sandown last time when narrowly denied and likely to go well again from just 2lb higher.

Form: 2414-12

(1)

Not So Sleepy^h,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: H Morrison| OR: 95| D

18/1

Impressive when winning at Epsom last year but has failed to build on that and handicap mark is on the slide after four below par efforts this year. Any rain probably in his favour but others make more appeal.

Form: 8-60348

(8)

Society Red²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94| D

33/1

Inconsistent sort but he's won twice this year, the most recent of those an impressive win at York in a competitive affair. Couldn't back that up when last of 16 at Haydock and all wins have come with firm in the going so he won't want any rainfall.

Form: 621310

(12)

Thomas Cranmer¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Nathan Evans| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 92| D

16/1

Has looked progressive since joining this yard and only narrowly denied at York last time under a penalty for a game win at Ripon. 4lb higher in a more competitive field here and has never won from a mark this high.

Form: 0-41712

(9)

Brittanic¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: D M Simcock| OR: 88

40/1

Won his first two starts on AW at Newcastle but hasn't won since. His better efforts have all come on AW and not always the quickest away. Has a bit to prove in this company.

Form: 7-20035

(6)

Medrano^h¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: S De Sousa| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 87

12/1

Listed winner in 2015 but has only won once since when trained in France. Missed 2017 and slow to come to hand this year but he produced an improved effort at Wolverhampton last time. Well-handicapped on old form and any rain would be in his favour.

Form: 1/08382

(11)

Tuff Rock³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Harry Bentley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 86| BF| CD

10/1

Not won since his C&D maiden last year. Sent off favourite on debut for this yard last time but proved no match for the winner. Seems to appreciate some cut in the ground so couldn't be ruled out if the rain arrives.

Form: 22-4262

Forecasts

Alfarris (13/2), Afaak (8/1), Appeared (8/1), Original Choice (9/1), Pivoine (9/1), Silver Line (9/1), Rainbow Rebel (10/1), Dark Red (10/1), Tuff Rock (10/1), Medrano (12/1), Thomas Cranmer (16/1), Not So Sleepy (18/1), Plutonian (20/1), Society Red (33/1), Brittanic (40/1)

Pivoine found himself at the front too soon last time out in a messy affair but he still looks feasibly handicapped here. Several of these would benefit from any rain that arrives before Tuesday afternoon, most notably Original Choice but preference is for AFAAK after a fine effort in the Royal Hunt Cup last time; he's only 1lb higher here in a less competitive contest.