15:45 Goodwood

Thursday 30 July 2020

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

Gusbourne Nursery

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 1m 27.56s

(2)

William Bligh²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 87| D

5/4

Improved with each start and made it third time lucky when an all the way winner at Haydock (7f; soft). Form of that race let down since. Open to more progress as he goes handicapping though so a major player.

Form: 721

(9)

Running Back³⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Hannon| OR: 81| BF

6/1

Form of his debut second to Qaader has been well advertised since, but he was disappointing (sent off 5-6f) on the face of it when runner-up at Kempton (6f; good). Should improve for the step up to 7f on handicap bow and highly respected.

Form: 22

(4)

Mark of The Man³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 81| D

12/1

Front-pair drew seven-length clear of the third when he made it third time lucky at Chepstow (7f; good). Runner-up didn't advertise the form particularly well when beaten next time out. Should win races in this sphere, but others have stronger form.

Form: 431

(5)

Calcutta Cup¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 77

12/1

Debut effort can be ignored and he appreciated the switch to novice company to finish fourth at Newbury (7f; good) when upped in trip. Should have a bright future at this level and still open to more improvement.

Form: 54

(1)

Rommel¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: M R Channon| OR: 74| D

8/1

Not disgraced on turf debut conceding a penalty when fifth at Ascot (7f; good). However, that was a moderate affair and this looks comfortably stronger. Subsequently has something to prove now and stable in poor form.

Form: 315

(11)

Codebook³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-8| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 74

16/1

Not showed a great deal on either start so far behind impressive winners in small-field contests over this trip. Switches to handicaps now but hard to make a convincing case for given what limited ability he has shown so far.

Form: 32

(6)

Quarantini¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-5| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 71

12/1

Progressed from debut effort to finish third behind two promising fillies at Newcastle (7f; standard). That was her first go at 7f, so should represent herself well on handicap debut off what looks a fair opening mark.

Form: 63

(12)

Miss Diamond²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: George Rooke⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 69

100/1

Only promising run came on the AW. Makes handicap debut but easily opposable after finishing a distant seventh of seven when last seen at Chepstow (6f; good). Steps up to 7f.

Form: 847

(8)

Monza City⁴⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 69

22/1

Disappointed on both career starts to date, including when failing to beat a single rival last time out at Newmarket (7f; good). That may have had something to do with the quick turnaround from debut effort. Betting likely to prove informative.

Form: 55

(7)

Samara Bay⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 2| Weight: 8-2| J: J Quinn| T: R A Fahey| OR: 62| D

28/1

Showed significant improvement for the switch to handicaps when winning a low-grade affair at Catterick (7f; good) on debut in this sphere. Up 7lb and in a better race, but she could be open to more progress so not entirely ruled out.

Form: 0941

(10)

Balavad¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J A Osborne| OR: 66

40/1

Shown more in defeat in maiden company the last twice, finishing third on each occasion. Now switches to turf on handicap bow, and likely to win races down the line but stiff task against some classier sorts.

Form: 0533

(3)

Study The Stars¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 8-0| J: David Egan| T: S Kirk| OR: 66

12/1

Outpaced over 6f the last twice, so return to 7f will suit better. Form of Windsor (6f; good) third to Cairn Gorm has since been boosted. Should appreciate the switch to handicaps but this is a very competitive affair.

Form: 633

Forecasts

William Bligh (5/4), Running Back (6/1), Rommel (8/1), Mark of The Man (12/1), Calcutta Cup (12/1), Quarantini (12/1), Study The Stars (12/1), Codebook (16/1), Monza City (22/1), Samara Bay (28/1), Balavad (40/1), Miss Diamond (100/1)

Despite the rise in grade, it would be foolish to rule out Samara Bay who showed improved form to make a winning handicap debut at Catterick eight days ago. It is unlikely her progress has halted yet despite the higher mark she must content with. The other Richard Fahey representative Quarantini is also respected as is Calcutta Cup. He may have disappointed when switched to the AW last time, but returned to turf Running Back has strong claims especially on the strength of his debut second behind Qaader. We'll go with WILLIAM BLIGH though who is improving all the time & looked a horse to follow when producing a relentless front-running display at Haydock.