15:05 Goodwood

Wednesday 26 September 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:10

Drink Warehouse UK Imperial Handicap

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 1m 12.73s

(6)

Major Pusey²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J Gallagher| OR: 81| BF| C| D

10/1

Soft ground saw return to form latest at Haydock (5f) which is his best trip although he has won once over 6f too. Well handicapped on best form so another positive effort can be expected here. Also declared Monday, Leicester.

Form: 305920

(2)

Blaine^b³³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 80| D

25/1

Won first start for this yard last May but seven starts since never seen him better than ninth and that was a ten runner race. Last again latest after a break at Ffos Las and very hard to fancy now.

Form: 0000-90

(1)

Handytalk²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B R Millman| OR: 78| D

15/2

Over a year since his last win and not fired many times this season although he ran a couple of decent races earlier in the campaign on fast ground. Seems to favour such conditions so ground here may inconvenience him.

Form: 382055

(3)

Iconic Knight²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: E Walker| OR: 79

7/2

Battled to second success in four starts latest at Windsor (5f). Upped 4lb for that but won on soft ground at two so should handle these conditions and worth another go at 6f although yet to win over the distance.

Form: 321551

(9)

Delagate This Lord¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: M J Attwater| OR: 77| D

11/1

Three-time winner last year hasn't added to that this term but five placed efforts show his consistency overall. Won on good to soft last year so conditions won't inconvenience and ought to again make a bold bid.

Form: 256243

(11)

Mullionheir¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: J R Best| OR: 77| D

5/1

6f Ascot winner last September (soft) and ran best race of this campaign when second in the same race latest (good). Raised 1lb but that unlikely to be a major inconvenience so fully expecting another strong run today.

Form: 1-87072

(10)

Lady Dancealot⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: G Mosse| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 78| BF| CD

7/2

Soft ground C&D winner at two hasn't added to that this year but has placed in five of her eight starts. First possibility of testing conditions for a while raises optimism but handicapper still unrelenting.

Form: 253423

(12)

Charming Guest²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M R Channon| OR: 76| D

16/1

Inconsistency at first glance explainable as all of her lesser efforts come when ground rattling fast. More than impressive on soft at Epsom two starts back before struggling again on good to firm. Conditions here should suit so big player again.

Form: 568316

(7)

Met By Moonlight³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: R J Hodges| OR: 70| D

16/1

Tried over a variety of different distances this season winning once (5½f). Ran reasonably over 7f two starts back before probably not getting 1m latest. Trip will suit better but more needed overall.

Form: 231369

(4)

Just An Idea^b⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 70| D

14/1

6f Chepstow winner on good to soft hasn't matched that level of form in last two efforts at same venue and Kempton (AW). Same mark here makes life tough and yard's form a concern.

Form: 548138

(5)

Swanton Blue³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 66| BF| D

16/1

A winner at Chepstow first time out this season and again showed a liking for that venue latest when beaten a short head in a seller on soft ground latest. This a stronger race but showed his wellbeing so not ruled out.

Form: 578462

(8)

Deeds Not Words^p⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: M Wigham| OR: 65| CD

40/1

Back to back wins at Yarmouth on good to firm in the summer but handicapper slowed him since. One of his nine career starts on soft ground albeit over four years ago so conditions probably be ok.

Form: 411545

Forecasts

Lady Dancealot (7/2), Iconic Knight (7/2), Mullionheir (5/1), Handytalk (15/2), Major Pusey (10/1), Delagate This Lord (11/1), Just An Idea (14/1), Swanton Blue (16/1), Charming Guest (16/1), Met By Moonlight (16/1), Blaine (25/1), Deeds Not Words (40/1)

A very open looking contest this but the vote goes to three-year-old ICONIC KNIGHT for the Ed Walker team who have had a fine 2018 season. Ryan Moore's mount has been progressive this season and seems effective on all ground which is a help given conditions could easily change with a dry forecast. Mullionheir went well latest at Ascot in a race he won the year before and appreciates conditions similar to the expected here so should again be involved. Delegate This Lord deserves a first win of the season and it is entirely possible here.