15:15 Goodwood

Saturday 25 August 2018

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Ladbrokes Bet 5 Get 20 Handicap

Off time: 15:18 | Winning time: 1m 25.02s

(9)

Flaming Spear²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: D K Ivory| OR: 104| BF| D

4/1

Has been slowly away in both starts this year including when the blindfold was removed late in a strong Ascot contest won by Burnt Sugar. Should be in the mix if getting away on better terms but would ideally like give in the ground.

Form: 9180-50

(20)

Burnt Sugar²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: S W Kelly| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 104| D

12/1

Very progressive since finishing runner-up in this last year and now 14lb higher. Drawn poorly this year but is on a hat-trick and has to be respected in his current form.

Form: 708011

(7)

Absolutely So⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 102| CD

12/1

Well handicapped on best form but has only posted one win now in over three years. Both runs this campaign have been well below his best and others preferred.

Form: 4219-08

(17)

Medahim¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 100| CD

16/1

Winner over this C&D off 5lb lower before disappointing back up to a mile at Ascot. Has now run poorly in all three starts there and drop back to this trip should suit. Can be competitive but high draw to overcome.

Form: 540419

(18)

Cape Byron²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 100| D

7/1

Lightly-raced and posted a career-best when an eye-catching fourth over a mile at this track. Has suffered with the same poor draw again and while he remains one to follow, will need luck in the run particularly down to this distance.

Form: 13-9404

(1)

Chessman^p,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Watson| OR: 99| D

8/1

Yet to add to his debut win when trained by John Gosden but looks to have a big race in him following his strong finishing fifth behind Burnt Sugar at Ascot. Has plenty of progress to come and should be a leading contender off 4lb higher.

Form: 7-35535

(12)

Aces^t⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97| D

14/1

On a sharp upward curve in three starts for new trainer, including winning his last two. Relished the step up in trip last time and although this is much tougher, he was placed in a Group 2 as a juvenile and likely he's ahead of the handicapper.

Form: 323-711

(14)

Masham Star¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| D

25/1

Gained a second win of the year when scoring last start at Redcar under this apprentice. Drop in distance isn't an issue but this will be tougher off 4lb higher.

Form: 94U401

(4)

Vale Of Kent²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| CD

4/1

Unraced as a juvenile but has enjoyed a busy first campaign and gained a sixth win from 14 starts when scoring over this C&D. Drawn to attack and could reverse form with Medahim from two runs back. Looks a leading player.

Form: 816121

(5)

Lake Volta¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Bentley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| D

16/1

Drawn well for a front-runner and gained a third win when making all in a Listed Epsom contest back in June. Yet to win a handicap and could be on a better mark, while he has also shown his best form on an easier surface.

Form: 105436

(11)

Reckless Endeavour¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Callum Shepherd| T: T D Barron| OR: 94| D

33/1

Hasn't been with new stable for long having left Jamie Osborne. Dropping in the handicap but his last three wins came on the AW and doesn't look in good enough form for a race of this strength.

Form: 520073

(3)

Mukalal²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Dane O'Neill| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 94| D

20/1

Finished fourth in this last year and ended the campaign with success. However nowhere near that form in three starts this year since wind surgery and remains best watched.

Form: 441-000

(15)

Danielsflyer²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: O J Orr⁽³⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 93

14/1

Just touched off narrowly on last two starts and remains on a winnable mark. Could be drawn better but could be competitive again.

Form: 040622

(13)

Sir Titan²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Hayley Turner| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 91| CD

16/1

Enjoyed a productive campaign which includes two C&D wins, however has moved plenty high enough in the weights and was well behind Medahim here last start.

Form: 7-91120

(2)

Mr Scaramanga⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 90

33/1

Just three career wins and on a long losing run. Recent form leaves him with plenty to find and best watched in this company.

Form: 950886

(10)

Whitefountainfairy⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 92

20/1

Has been highly-tried at times but after being outclassed in the Coronation was disappointing back in handicap company at Newmarket. Tough ask in this company off present mark.

Form: 052-105

(8)

Truth Or Dare⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: Raul Da Silva| T: J D Bethell| OR: 85| CD

20/1

Just three wins from 39 starts and ran well when third to Medahim over this C&D. Held at Doncaster subsequently and likely to find it tough again.

Form: 250536

Non-Runners

(19)

Mankib²²

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: Dane O'Neill

(16)

Hajjam¹⁴

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: C J McGovern

(6)

Aljady²⁴

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: R A Fahey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Flaming Spear (4/1), Vale Of Kent (4/1), Cape Byron (7/1), Chessman (8/1), Aljady (10/1), Mankib (10/1), Burnt Sugar (12/1), Absolutely So (12/1), Danielsflyer (14/1), Aces (14/1), Lake Volta (16/1), Medahim (16/1), Sir Titan (16/1), Mukalal (20/1), Whitefountainfairy (20/1), Truth Or Dare (20/1), Hajjam (20/1), Masham Star (25/1), Reckless Endeavour (33/1), Mr Scaramanga (33/1)

A race that tends to be won by one of the more fancied runners in recent years sees a very open renewal. Chessman is overdue a win, is drawn well and looks poised for a big run following his fast finish behind last year's runner-up Burnt Sugar at Ascot. The latter is poorly drawn as is Medahim who may struggle to confirm the C&D form with Aljady who had no luck in behind and is the horse with the most improvement to come. Mankib is also open to significant progress while Vale Of Kent should be on the pace and looks the pick of his trainer's trio. The narrow verdict goes to ACES who is finally fulfilling his potential with back-to-back wins and remains on a very good mark for a shrewd yard.