15:35 Goodwood

Friday 3 August 2018

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

King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 56.50s

(1)

Battaash⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 122| CD

8/11

Had no equal over 5f last year, his only disappointment in the Nunthorpe, and landed Temple Stakes at Haydock on return. Went off too hard when second in King's Stand at Royal Ascot, and hard to beat on balance.

Form: 1141-12

(11)

Duke Of Firenze^p³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 97| CD

100/1

Smart handicapper on his day, but he's not been in great form on the whole this season, and even a return to his best would leave him plenty to do at this level.

Form: 067040

(6)

Havana Grey¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 111| CD

9/1

Top sprinting two-year-old in 2017, and right back on track when winning Group 2 at the Curragh last time from Caspian Prince. Won Molecocomb over C&D a year ago, and solid place claims now he's found his feet again.

Form: 122-561

(5)

Kachy⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 111| CD

8/1

Well beaten by Battaash in this race 12 months ago, but has won three times at a lower level this term. Struggled in King's Stand at Royal Ascot last time, though, and seems best dominating lesser rivals.

Form: 112139

(8)

Mr Lupton²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 109| D

20/1

Smart handicapper given a sound surface, and produced a career-best effort when winning 5f listed race at York last time from Alpha Delphini. That looks his limit, though, and needs others to falter if he's to win.

Form: 261871

(7)

Muthmir^b²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108| CD

16/1

Won this race in 2015, and still has some fire in his belly, taking a listed race at Haydock in June, and shaping better than the bare result when third to Mr Lupton at York last time. Trying blinkers for first time now.

Form: 3-45123

(2)

Take Cover²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 109| CD

20/1

Veteran won this in 2016 and retains bright speed despite advancing years. Only fifth behind Mr Lupton at York last time, however, and seemingly not the force of old this season.

Form: 111-735

(10)

Sioux Nation^t²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| BF| D

6/1

Won a 6f Group 3 at Naas in May, and bounced back from a poor run at Royal Ascot when fifth behind U S Navy Flag in July Cup at Newmarket. Has the pace to drop back in trip, and holds place claims here.

Form: 16-4105

(9)

Stone Of Destiny²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 108| BF| D

66/1

Standout effort to date when fourth in Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, but that form hasn't worked out too well, and he ran poorly in listed race won by Mr Lupton at York last time.

Form: 121747

(3)

Heartache⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: M Harley| T: C G Cox| OR: 108| D

16/1

Dual Group 2 winner who was well beaten at that level at Haydock on return, and while she ran better when seventh in the Commonwealth Cup last time, that form has taken plenty of knocks since.

Form: 1131-67

(4)

Main Desire⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: M L W Bell| OR: 100| D

25/1

Won her first three starts over 5f, including two listed races at York. Disappointed in Commonwealth Cup last time, but should bounce back, for all she needs to find plenty of improvement against older sprinters.

Form: 11-10

Forecasts

Battaash (8/11), Sioux Nation (6/1), Kachy (8/1), Havana Grey (9/1), Muthmir (16/1), Heartache (16/1), Take Cover (20/1), Mr Lupton (20/1), Main Desire (25/1), Stone Of Destiny (66/1), Duke Of Firenze (100/1)

It's very hard to oppose BATTAASH who ran a tremendous race despite getting beaten in the King's Stand. He bolted up in this race last year, and should stage a repeat. Havana Grey is another to have won over 5f at this meeting 12 months ago, and belatedly built on his smart juvenile form when winning at the Curragh last time; he rates the main danger, with July Cup fifth Sioux Nation best of the others on balance of form.