17:25 Goodwood

Saturday 4 August 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Qatar Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 1m 53.34s

(14)

Manson^b²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 92

10/1

On a long losing run, but back to form in first-time blinkers at Sandown on return. Failed to fire in the headgear there last time, though, and poor strike-rate is discouraging.

Form: 5300-20

(11)

Waarif¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92

9/2

In the form of his life at present, and followed game Carlisle win with an altogether easier triumph at Pontefract, having the run of things from the front. Up 11lb for those wins, though, and suspicion the handicapper is now in charge.

Form: 524211

(13)

Mister Music⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Aled Beech⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 89| CD

33/1

Four wins this year have come on Fibresand at Southwell over 7f/1m. Has won over C&D in the past, but arguably best at shorter these days, and only ninth here on return to turf in May.

Form: 8-11119

(7)

Noble Peace²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L Pearce| OR: 87| C

33/1

Left Henry Candy for 62,000 gns after winning twice at up to 1m here last term. Fair effort starting out for current yard, but not at best this year, and well placed in a slowly-run race when not beaten far last time.

Form: 516-085

(15)

Aquarium⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95| D

12/1

Has four wins already this year and didn't need to improve to land a three-runner contest under a penalty at Nottingham. Possible to forgive a poor effort at Ascot last time, but looking vulnerable from a career-high mark.

Form: 497110

(5)

Kassar^b³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Adam J McNamara| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 91

11/4

Won 1m novice at Kempton on juvenile bow, but can look ungainly at times; too keen in first-time blinkers at Sandown, but back to winning ways in the headgear at Yarmouth last time, and considered, despite his quirks.

Form: 16-4431

(3)

The Warrior¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: George Wood| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 80

14/1

Not discredited when fourth over 7f here in June, but below that form in three starts since, and easy enough to oppose in a race full of less exposed types.

Form: 324754

(10)

The Night Porter²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁷⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 86

7/1

Won maiden at Beverley and novice at Lingfield in June, and although well held on handicap debut at Newmarket last month, he will have found that aiding his development. Still relatively unexposed, and not a forlorn hope.

Form: 34116

(2)

Poetic Force^t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 78| D

7/1

Better known for AW exploits, but in good form on fast turf of late, winning at Lingfield in June, and running well in defeat twice since. Beaten just a neck at Ascot last time, and no surprise to see another good run.

Form: 224122

(4)

Boots And Spurs^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 72

25/1

Tends to go best on turf when there is some ease in the ground, winning twice in such conditions in 2017. Not in much form this year, however, and easy to oppose on forecast conditions.

Form: 500606

(1)

Delph Crescent^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78

11/2

Has taken time to click in handicaps, but looked a different proposition when scoring by a wide margin at Beverley (1m½f), and followed up under a penalty at York last time. Up another 5lb here, but clearly thriving.

Form: 006211

(8)

Motown Mick⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 76

14/1

Progressive during his juvenile campaign in which he won three nurseries (6f to 1m), and ran well on AW return at Kempton. Best effort this term when third of 5 to Starboy at Newmarket (7f) last time, and step up in trip will suit.

Form: 260743

Non-Runners

(9)

King's Pavilion³⁷

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: J Ward J: Connor Murtagh

(6)

Stormingin⁶⁵

Weight: 8-9| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: Jason Watson

(12)

Keswick³⁵

Weight: 8-9| Age: 4

T: H Main J: Oliver Stammers

Forecasts

Kassar (11/4), Waarif (9/2), Delph Crescent (11/2), The Night Porter (7/1), Poetic Force (7/1), Stormingin (7/1), Manson (10/1), Aquarium (12/1), The Warrior (14/1), Motown Mick (14/1), King's Pavilion (14/1), Boots And Spurs (25/1), Keswick (25/1), Noble Peace (33/1), Mister Music (33/1)

DELPH CRESCENT has taken an inevitable rise in the weights after a wide-margin win at Beverley, but he knuckled down well to defy a penalty at York, and appears to be thriving now things have finally clicked for him; he could hardly be better drawn in his hat-trick bid, and gets a narrow verdict over Kassar, who has his quirks, but is also getting his act together with blinkers to help. Poetic Force has conditions to suit, and is running consistently well of late, so merits respect, with The Night Porter suggested as the best outsider.