17:15 Goodwood

Sunday 9 June 2019

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

Confidence To Care Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 28.66s

(6)

Sir Busker^v1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Knight| OR: 77

4/1

Surprise winner of a Newbury maiden (6f, good to soft; 25-1) in September on turf debut, has been consistent in four starts since (including runner-up over C&D last year, soft) and now eased in class holds fair claims despite top-weight.

Form: 2128-54

(1)

Balata Bay¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 74| D

11/2

Winner on the AW at Kempton (7f) on April (2-12 overall), well held back on turf at Sandown (1m) last time, does at least ease in class here in dropping back in trip.

Form: 7-31696

(7)

Conspiritor¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: C Hills| OR: 73

11/2

Yet to win in five starts but has shown promise, including last-time-out third at Sandown (1m, good to firm; 25-1) with Balata Bay back in sixth on seasonal bow. Entitled to build on that showing.

Form: 6637-3

(8)

Island Glen²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: H Main| OR: 73| D

16/1

Novice winner on the AW at Newcastle over this trip on second start last year; fifth behind highly-promising Jubiloso on return at Newbury (7f, good; 33-1) last month. Unlikely to find anything of that quality in this line-up and sharper now.

Form: 01-5

(3)

Sassoon¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: P & O Cole| OR: 73

9/2

Some pleasing efforts in five runs, including handicap debut at Windsor (1m, good; 10-1) when attempting to make all and settling for third. First-time cheekpieces worn then are left off now, down in distance.

Form: 32-733

(9)

Spirit Of May²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: R A Teal| OR: 73

9/2

Good effort on reappearance to deny in-form rival with 6f success on AW at Chelmsford, built on that since when edged out at Salisbury (6f, good to firm; 9-2) and should go well again despite another 3lb rise with that form working out well.

Form: 3693-12

(10)

Sense of Belonging⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 72

20/1

Five-race maiden, tends to lead, and unable to see thing out on Fibresand at Southwell (6f; 9-4) on reappearance in April. Makes handicap from what might be workable mark now.

Form: 3375-4

(5)

City Wanderer²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR: 69

5/1

Expensive Kodiac gelding (120,000 gns), best of three qualifying runs came at this venue over C&D, though still needs to improve on it and unconvincing either side.

Form: 736

(4)

Bring Us Paradise²²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A W Carroll| OR: 59

22/1

Only bits of form in novice/handicap races over 6f and 7f. Handicap mark is sliding but likely best watched on first start since October.

Form: 85006-

Non-Runners

(2)

Eligible²⁰

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: A Kirby

Forecasts

Sir Busker (4/1), Eligible (4/1), Spirit Of May (9/2), Sassoon (9/2), City Wanderer (5/1), Balata Bay (11/2), Conspiritor (11/2), Island Glen (16/1), Sense of Belonging (20/1), Bring Us Paradise (22/1)

An open finale, with the vote going to SPIRIT OF MAY. He halted a thriving rival on the AW at Chelmsford on his comeback to shed the maiden tag and has since finished a very credible second at Salisbury with a couple of subsequent winners behind. He's nudged up in the ratings again, but looks likely to make more progress. Sir Busker is eased in grade here and looks the principle danger, while Island Glen and Eligible are also noteworthy runners.