14:15 Goodwood

Tuesday 28 July 2020

All13:1013:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:2016:55

Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 1m 28.8s

(7)

Battleground⁴⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| D

13/8

By War Front out of Arc winner Found, and this colt improved markedly on a promising debut when running out a clear-cut winner of the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Holds leading claims on that form, and sure to do better still.

Form: 51

(4)

Dark Lion²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 97| D

9/1

Encouraging fourth on debut at Newmarket, and progressed significantly when 3L fourth in the Coventry Stakes at Ascot. Had a confidence-boosting win at Wolverhampton (7f) since, although didn't seem to relish the longer trip.

Form: 441

(6)

Devious Company¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 104| D

4/1

All three runs at this trip, winning twice at Haydock, and improving when 3L second of 10 to Master of The Seas in G2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last time. Solid place claims.

Form: 112

(9)

Fountain Cross¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 87

100/1

Haydock winner (6f, good) on his second career start, but he's not gone on since that, and just a respectable fourth behind Method in listed race at Newbury last time. Up in trip, but hard to fancy.

Form: 2144

(5)

Gorytus⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: R A Fahey| D

28/1

Footstepsinthesand colt out of a 2m winner. Showed a good attitude to get on top late in a 7f novice at York on debut nine days ago. Will improve, although is facing a much stiffer task here, and will do well to get involved.

Form: 1

(3)

King Zain¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| D

6/1

Travelled well into the race when winning at Kempton on debut, but failed to build on that when only sixth of 10 to Master of The Seas in Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last time. May do better, but needs to.

Form: 16

(1)

Kraken Power¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: I Jardine| OR: 84

80/1

Ran on strongly when scoring by 3½L at Hamilton on second outing, but got worked up and ran below that form when sixth of 8 to Method in a Listed race at Newbury last time. Plenty to find even if coping with preliminaries better.

Form: 216

(2)

Painless Potter³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 95

16/1

Improved on a promising debut when a staying-on 4¼L fifth of 15 to Nando Parrado in Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Bit to find on that form, but seems sure to progress further at this trip.

Form: 35

(10)

Thunder Of Niagara³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 91

22/1

Beat a subsequent winner at Newcastle on last month's debut. Did plenty on the front end when sixth of 15 to Nando Parrado in Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, and may prove better than that bare form, so not dismissed entirely.

Form: 16

(8)

Youth Spirit¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| D

13/2

Caught the eye behind Devious Company on racecourse bow at Haydock, and improved as expected when winning a strong maiden at Newmarket (7f) last time from Magical Land. Has more to offer, and one to take seriously now.

Form: 41

Forecasts

Battleground (13/8), Devious Company (4/1), King Zain (6/1), Youth Spirit (13/2), Dark Lion (9/1), Painless Potter (16/1), Thunder Of Niagara (22/1), Gorytus (28/1), Kraken Power (80/1), Fountain Cross (100/1)

The form of the Chesham won by Battleground is open to question, and he isn't the standout the early market suggests, but he is bred to be outstanding, so is dangerous to omit from calculations. Preference, though, is for Superlative Stakes runner-up DEVIOUS COMPANY, with Youth Spirit also shortlisted having won well at Newmarket after finishing behind the selection on his racecourse bow at Haydock.