13:50 Goodwood

Friday 3 August 2018

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

Bombay Sapphire Glorious Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 2m 33.69s

(7)

Blakeney Point^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 105| D

20/1

Had the run of the race when third of 5 in a listed race over C&D on his return (subsequently demoted), and similar form when fifth of 16 to Rainbow Rebel in Old Newton Cup at Haydock last time. Bit to find on form.

Form: 2411-D5

(2)

Eminent²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: C O'Donoghue| T: M Meade| OR: 112

6/1

Not tried at this trip since fourth in 2017 Derby, and hasn't fired this year. Fared a bit better dropped to 1m at Ascot last time, but also hinted at temperament (tried to bite rival), and unconvincing at present.

Form: 513-556

(6)

Mirage Dancer²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 114| BF| CD

6/5

Had Blakeney Point behind when winning C&D listed race in May, and at least as good as ever when ½L second of 7 to Best Solution in Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket last time. Leading claims.

Form: 34-2152

(1)

Red Verdon^b⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 113| D

6/1

Listed winner at Kempton last year and has finished runner-up in three Group races this time around, latest when 2½L second of 5 to Crystal Ocean in Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Respected on that effort.

Form: 1-14222

(5)

Scotland^h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: A M Balding| OR: 108

11/1

Lightly raced in recent years, and showed all his old ability remained when 1L third of 5 to Dylan Mouth in Group 3 at York last time. Has something to find on that form, though, and others stronger.

Form: 620/653

(3)

Second Step³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 110| CD

7/2

Won a pair of listed races last year, including over C&D, and runner-up in this contest. Back to winning ways at Newmarket last time, beating Dylan Mouth, and unlikely to be far away.

Form: 2212-21

(4)

Top Tug³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 104| C| D

20/1

Placed over further here on return, and good fifth in Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot. Excuses over 2m last time, but has a fair bit to find at this level of competition.

Form: 020-250

Forecasts

Mirage Dancer (6/5), Second Step (7/2), Red Verdon (6/1), Eminent (6/1), Scotland (11/1), Blakeney Point (20/1), Top Tug (20/1)

Second Step should run well in his bid to improve on last year's second in this race, and he rates a danger to MIRAGE DANCER, who has also won over C&D, and looked better than ever when second in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket. Red Verdon chased home Crystal Ocean in the Hardwicke, and would be a major player if that form is taken at face value.