15:40 Goodwood

Sunday 9 June 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1016:4517:15

R L Austen Diamond Handicap

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 33.70s

(3)

Master Archer^v²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 88| D

25/1

Dual 2m winner at Chester on quick ground last season and relishes stamina test. Appeared in need of the run at Newmarket on return over 1m6f and can do better over this trip.

Form: 12410-8

(11)

Maquisard⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: C Gordon| OR: 88| D

25/1

Runner-up over 1m6f here last summer in weaker handicap than this, one of only three Flat starts since arriving from France. Has changed hands since, though hurdles form only modest and something to prove at the moment.

Form: 639/022-

(8)

Orin Swift³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 85

7/2

Matched 2018 effort with winning reappearance at Nottingham (1m6f, good to soft; 3-1) in April and just denied in this grade at Ascot (2m, soft; 4-1) next time. Up another 2lb in ratings, but should be in the firing line.

Form: 3522-12

(1)

Suegioo^p³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85

8/1

Chester Cup winner in 2014, though has only a single win to his name in 51 other starts on turf. Ran fine race to be second in valuable 2m2½f handicap on the Roodee last month on debut for Ian Williams. Needs to replicate here.

Form: 84665-2

(10)

Imphal²⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S W Kelly| T: G & J Moore| OR: 84| CD

33/1

Landed a four-timer in staying handicaps during 2017, including a win over C&D. Placed three times here last year, though weakened late on in first-time visor (discarded) when last spotted in September over C&D. New trainer now.

Form: 333349-

(2)

Guns of Leros^v²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 83| C

16/1

Quick-fire 2016 hat-trick (all 1m4f) was followed by winning return at Newmarket (1m2f) in May last year after missing 588 days. Laboured in five runs since, though last month's York run over extended-2m was much better. 6lb below last win-mark

Form: 1507-86

(6)

Early Summer²³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Morrison| OR: 78

9/2

Daughter of Sea The Stars has shaped with promise in three novice runs last year, she's going right up in trip for this seasonal return/handicap bow. Mark potentially fair and top jockey on board.

Form: 325-

(7)

October Storm¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR: 77| C| D

6/1

Only seen out three times in 2018, but showed he retains all his ability when a close third at Doncaster on reappearance over similar trip. Not built on that since over C&D (quick ground) but may do so now with some ease underfoot.

Form: 1/365-36

(9)

Nuits St Georges²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: S M Levey| T: D Menuisier| OR: 76

3/1

Has won two of last four either side of winter break; scoring at Haydock (1m4f, good to soft) and Nottingham (1m6f, soft). Up 4lb for that win last month and promises to stay this trip, player.

Form: 2615-91

(5)

Bailarico^v¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: W Greatrex| OR: 74| D

8/1

5-12 record on the Flat and has run three good races since returned to this sphere in April (work to do with October Storm on middle run). Good second Nottingham (2m, good to firm; 7-2) latest in first-time visor (retained), but this is tougher.

Form: 111-342

Non-Runners

(4)

Dawn Trouper¹⁵

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: N J Hawke J: Rossa Ryan

Forecasts

Nuits St Georges (3/1), Orin Swift (7/2), Early Summer (9/2), October Storm (6/1), Bailarico (8/1), Suegioo (8/1), Guns of Leros (16/1), Dawn Trouper (20/1), Master Archer (25/1), Maquisard (25/1), Imphal (33/1)

Conditions are set to favour NUITS ST GEORGES, a winner on soft ground at Nottingham last time, given solid claims from this 4lb higher mark with the longer trip unlikely to derail him given the way he went through the line last time. Orin Swift looks a big danger and is another for whom ease underfoot is favourable. October Storm wasn't seen to best effect on quick ground over C&D last month but may bounce back now. Guns of Leros lurks on a favourable mark these days, while Irish import Dawn Trouper stays this far and will be sharper for the run at Chester. Handicap debutante Early Summer is worth monitoring too.