15:00 Goodwood

Friday 3 August 2018

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

Unibet Golden Mile Handicap

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 1m 36.63s

(9)

Master The World^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 108| CD

11/1

Won this race off 3lb lower last year (second in 2016), and added Winter Derby to his haul in February. Not quite firing since return to turf, though, and down the field in John Smith's Cup at York last time.

Form: 7-12540

(13)

South Seas²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 107

9/1

Often spoils his chance with slow starts, and again left with plenty to do when sixth of 15 to Tigre du Terre at Sandown last time. Claims on form, but wouldn't want to get out of his ground here.

Form: 2/50-746

(11)

Hors De Combat⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: D J Coakley| OR: 105| D

16/1

Won at Meydan in February, and better than bare result when 3½L sixth of 30 to Settle For Bay in Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot last time. Has claims on that form, but did run poorly in this a couple of years ago.

Form: 20-3166

(4)

Repercussion^t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: C Fellowes| OR: 104| D

16/1

Much his best effort this year when scoring in the mud at Nottingham in May, but couldn't repeat that in Hunt Cup at Ascot. Balance of his form in the top handicaps suggests he will struggle again.

Form: 1-55010

(2)

Escobar^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104| D

9/2

In fine form for new yard this term, winning at Haydock and improving again when second to Tigre du Terre at Sandown last time. Runs off same mark here, and looks well treated, and also well berthed in a low stall.

Form: 9-03102

(8)

Firmament^p⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: M Harley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 101| D

10/1

Consistently better than the bare result in big-field handicaps, and that was again the case behind Burnt Sugar at Ascot last weekend. Well handicapped if it all drops for him, and better drawn here than is often the case.

Form: 609060

(18)

Cape Byron⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 100| D

12/1

Best of those held up when fourth in a strong handicap at York in May, and did too much too soon in the Hunt Cup last time. Clearly on a workable mark, and not dismissed despite an awkward draw.

Form: 1/13-940

(3)

Seniority⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 100| BF| D

9/2

Won three of his last six starts, all on AW, and seemingly best at 1m having been tried at longer trips. Not seen to best effect when favourite for Hunt Cup at Ascot, and well drawn here, so considered.

Form: 138-118

(12)

Borderforce²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: G Mosse| T: K R Burke| OR: 99| D

50/1

Useful at up to this trip for Francis-Henri Graffard in France, but unfancied when down the field in Bunbury Cup on debut for new yard. Likely to do better, although not obviously well treated on form shown in public.

Form: 31-6100

(16)

Shady Mccoy⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: Ian Williams| OR: 99| C

20/1

Back to his best when second to Burnt Sugar in Bunbury Cup at Newmarket, and badly drawn behind that rival at Ascot (7f) on Saturday. Clearly in top form, but not as convincing at 1m, and others more compelling.

Form: 4-00620

(17)

Original Choice³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 99| D

12/1

Won rearranged Thirsk Hunt Cup at Wetherby in May, and proved his stamina for 1¼m when second here on Tuesday. Return to 1m no problem, but drying ground might be, and wide draw no great help.

Form: 22-0103

(19)

C Note^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: David Egan| T: H Main| OR: 97

100/1

Reappearance win came on Tapeta at Wolverhampton in March, and he's been well below his best since, including back on turf at Newmarket last time.

Form: 64-1707

(1)

Mythical Madness^v¹⁸^{(ex 3)}

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Bentley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

14/1

Produced career-best effort in winning seven-runner handicap at Haydock last month, but readily held off revised mark at Ayr last time. Well drawn here, but others better treated.

Form: 266515

(10)

Third Time Lucky⁷^{(ex 3)}

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94| D

20/1

Gained first win since 2015 when landing soft-ground handicap at York last time under a 7lb claimer. Everything clicked for him there, and he looks vulnerable under a penalty on different ground.

Form: 637341

(14)

Hayadh⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 95

50/1

Respected on his second to Original Choice at Wetherby in May, but he's unpredictable at best, and both runs since have been poor. Easy enough to take him on again.

Form: 896208

(21)

Masham Star²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95| D

33/1

Being kept very busy this season, and turned out again after finishing a good fourth over 7f here on Wednesday. Well drawn there, but stuck on wide outside here, and not easy to get a good position as a result.

Form: 1494U4

(7)

Poet's Society²^{(ex 3)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: L Dettori| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92| C| D

12/1

Has a similar profile to his stablemate Masham Star, and like that one he also ran here on Wednesday, but didn't show a great deal, and is handicapped to the hilt now. Reserve.

Form: 417850

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(20)

Zhui Feng²⁰

Weight: 9-12| Age: 5

T: Mrs A J Perrett J: Non Runner

(6)

Fire Brigade³⁶

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: M L W Bell J: W Buick

(22)

Zwayyan⁴⁸

Weight: 8-13| Age: 5

T: A M Balding J: Jason Watson

(15)

Isomer²⁷

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: F Norton

Forecasts

Seniority (9/2), Escobar (9/2), Fire Brigade (7/1), South Seas (9/1), Firmament (10/1), Master The World (11/1), Poet's Society (12/1), Original Choice (12/1), Cape Byron (12/1), Mythical Madness (14/1), Hors De Combat (16/1), Repercussion (16/1), Zhui Feng (16/1), Third Time Lucky (20/1), Shady Mccoy (20/1), Zwayyan (25/1), Isomer (25/1), Masham Star (33/1), Borderforce (50/1), Hayadh (50/1), C Note (100/1)

A low draw is probably a major plus here, although the lack of obvious pace could complicate matters. ESCOBAR has thrived since joining David O'Meara, and looks well handicapped on his latest second to Tigre du Terre at Sandown. Stablemate Firmament could easily pose the biggest danger, and wouldn't be winning out of turn at this level, although there are plenty of others to consider, such as unfortunate Royal Hunt Cup favourite Seniority and Fire Brigade, who has his second start after wind surgery, and caught the eye last time.