13:55 Goodwood

Saturday 25 May 2019

All13:5514:3015:1015:4016:2016:5517:30

Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Festival Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 2m 5.68s

(8)

Thundering Blue²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: D Menuisier| OR: 116| D

9/1

Group 2 winner at York last summer over this trip on good to soft, jet-setting end to 2018 included more group-race success in Sweden. Ran no race on return at Sandown (tough ask) and may well bounce back now.

Form: 13120-7

(3)

Elarqam³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109| BF

11/4

Lost unbeaten record in 2,000 Guineas last May, and trifle disappointing in three subsequent outings given reputation (beaten fav behind Thundering Blue at York). Some encouragement from reappearance in Newmarket Group 3 (1m2f) after wind op.

Form: 1/4634-4

(4)

Extra Elusive^b1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 107| D

11/2

Won twice last season (1m2f/1m4f) before being found out in Newbury Group 3. Started this season with a Listed second on AW and not disgraced since behind Crystal Ocean at Sandown. First-time blinkers and in the mix here on form.

Form: 1217-23

(1)

Fabricate^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: M L W Bell| OR: 107| CD

11/2

Seven-time winner including at Group 3 level twice at Windsor and is a C&D scorer. Unsurprisingly held in Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, that run still puts him in mix with some of these rivals.

Form: 4013-44

(7)

Francis Xavier²⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Bentley| T: K Frost| OR: 97| D

16/1

High Chaparral gelding has rapidly improved in handicaps, winning three on the spin over this trip after 1m maiden success at Newcastle in November 2017. Concern comes from sizeable gaps in his career; back from latest of those for toughest task.

Form: 321/111-

(2)

Glendevon³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hughes| OR: 102

25/1

Just one win from 11 starts and that came as a juvenile in 2017. His attitude in a finish starting to come into question, possibly a side-effect of his tendency to race very keenly. Needs a career-best to master these rivals.

Form: 8227-23

(5)

Vintager²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C Appleby| OR: 110

3/1

Twice a winner at Newmarket, including 1m handicap last summer on July Course when quickening right away. Answered a stamina-query when narrow second there last month (1m1f, good to firm; 8-1) and comes here with trainer doing very well lately.

Form: 341-793

(6)

Willie John⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 98| BF| D

7/1

By Dansili out of the top-class racemare Izzi Top. Unbeaten in first two starts, winning by a wide margin at Doncaster having been sold for 1,900,000 gns. Decent showing in Doncaster Conditions race on comeback, more needed in this grade.

Form: 1/17-4

Forecasts

Elarqam (11/4), Vintager (3/1), Extra Elusive (11/2), Fabricate (11/2), Willie John (7/1), Thundering Blue (9/1), Francis Xavier (16/1), Glendevon (25/1)

Not much to pick between a few of these and FABRICATE might turn around a recent effort behind Extra Elusive at Sandown, though the latter is still progressing and respected. The Royal runner has C&D winning for and would have very sound claims if near his Group 3-winning form of last season. Vintager wasn't beaten far carrying a big weight at Newmarket on return and should run well while Thundering Blue should leave his Sandown effort behind but must concede a penalty.