17:15 Goodwood

Friday 3 August 2018

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

Maltsmiths Handicap

Off time: 17:16 | Winning time: 2m 23.50s

(6)

Hibernicus¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90| D

4/1

Got the better of a couple with experience on debut and mightily impressive on second start when winning by 12L at Pontefract. That was a smart weight carrying performance and he ought to go well again for a yard that do well at this meeting.

Form: 11

(2)

King's Proctor^b1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89

20/1

Improved from debut to win a Nottingham maiden as a juvenile but things haven't worked out since and well beaten on his last few starts. Looks in need of relief from the handicapper. Wears first-time blinkers.

Form: 329753

(9)

Celestial Force²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 88| BF

16/1

Won his first two starts in good fashion and seemingly did too much too soon at Newbury last time in his bid to make all. The round course at Newbury not an easy place to make the running so worth forgiving that effort and less exposed than most.

Form: 114

(5)

Occupy²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 88

11/1

Won on debut at Kempton but has been inconsistent since. Best effort was a Royal Ascot fifth of 18 in a competitive handicap but he failed to back that up back at that course last month when fancied and others preferred here.

Form: 1-6357

(7)

Desert Path²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 86| D

12/1

His two wins from six starts have both come at Windsor, most recently in June when staying on well to justify favouritism. Under performed at Ascot last time though and needs to step up on that effort.

Form: 74-1616

(3)

Epaulement²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 83| BF

15/2

Got his head in front at the fifth attempt at Haydock two starts back but couldn't justify favouritism back at that course last time out. This is tougher and form of that race doesn't look like anything special; opposable from his revised mark.

Form: 5-72212

(8)

Candidate²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Morrison| OR: 82

33/1

Sole win from seven starts came on his reappearance this season but he's struggled off his revised mark since. Looks in need of relief from the handicapper and probably wants softer ground than what she will get here.

Form: 40-1523

(13)

Baritone²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 82

3/1

A maiden after four starts who couldn't land a blow on handicap debut at Ascot last time when beaten 2L. Extra distance here could be in his favour but wide draw is a little off-putting.

Form: 5-243

(14)

Howman²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 81

6/1

Shaped with promise on his first two starts and improved markedly on third run when an impressive Lingfield winner. Followed up on handicap debut at Yarmouth and the third and fourth have both won since. Must have leading claims from 2lb higher.

Form: 3611

(10)

Sergio Leone⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 80

12/1

Produced a game effort to land his second career success when landing a Newbury seven runner contest two starts back and only narrowly denied back at that course last time out. Due to go up 4lb when the handicapper has his say and should run well.

Form: 1-46712

(11)

Groveman²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 79

10/1

Arrives here bidding for a hat-trick after firm ground wins at Bath and then Salisbury last time. A 4lb rise for his latest success would appear fair but the yard's form at present would have to be cause for concern.

Form: 5-84211

(1)

Dr Richard Kimble⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 79| C

20/1

In good form earlier in the campaign but he's disappointed on his last three starts. One of his three wins came at this course over 1f further but seen at his best when allowed to dominate and that scenario would appear unlikely here.

Form: 121534

(4)

Winged Spur⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J F Egan| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 79

40/1

Won back-to-back races at Ripon and then Bath and got her head back in front at the former course with a game effort two starts back. Struggled from her revised mark at Yarmouth last time but she was consistent prior to that and has each-way claims.

Form: 112213

Non-Runners

(12)

Juneau²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: Fran Berry

Forecasts

Baritone (3/1), Hibernicus (4/1), Howman (6/1), Epaulement (15/2), Groveman (10/1), Occupy (11/1), Desert Path (12/1), Sergio Leone (12/1), Juneau (14/1), Celestial Force (16/1), Dr Richard Kimble (20/1), King's Proctor (20/1), Candidate (33/1), Winged Spur (40/1)

Mark Johnston may well hold the key to this race with his five runners and HIBERNICUS is a fascinating contender bidding to defend his unbeaten record. His wide margin success at Pontefract last time when conceding weight to his rivals and the yard have a fine record at this meeting. Celestial Force is worth giving another chance to and is another lightly raced sort while Howman has only been nudged up 2lb for his Yarmouth win last time and should go well.