14:25 Goodwood

Saturday 1 August 2020

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

Unibet Summer Handicap

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 1.62s

(2)

King's Advice²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104| CD

11/2

Winner of this last year (7-2f, off 4lb higher mark) when gaining his eighth win of the year. Nowhere near the same form this year failed to give his running last time at Newmarket (in another race he won in 2019), leap of faith required to support.

Form: 306200

(1)

Themaxwecan¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: R Kingscote| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102| C

6/1

Typical steady improver for this yard at staying trips (won over 2m here last year); not quite at his best yet this year. Good fourth at Ascot (14.2f) in June, ridden with patience, ridden same way last time at Newbury (16.5f), prominent ride needed.

Form: 210-540

(9)

Laafy^v²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 101| BF| D

9/4

Much improved when returning to win at Newbury (12f, good) in ready fashion having been gelded, looked a good prospect. Progressed again (lost nothing in defeat) when not beaten far in Old Newton Cup at Haydock (11.8f, heavy), sure to go close.

Form: 2166-12

(6)

Shailene¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 100

14/1

Third in this last year off 2kb lower she was twice a winner last year over shorter trips. Well held behind Themaxwecan at Ascot (14.2f) prior to not being seen to best effect in a fillies' Listed contest (12f) last time (left poorly placed).

Form: 314-406

(3)

Indianapolis^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: J G Given| OR: 98

8/1

Dual winner at up to 12f last year, has run with credit this year bar one blip, bounced back to form last time returned to usual cheekpieces. Ripon (12.1f) effort last time his best of the season, this is tougher but worth a try at this trip.

Form: 81-6504

(4)

Hochfeld¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Harry Bentley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92| D

15/2

Useful handicapper on his day (not won for nearly three years) slipped down the handicap to an attractive mark. Ran with credit eased in grade last time (events not really going to plan, contested lead early), needs to show some spark to interest.

Form: 0/07-004

(7)

Platitude¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 89| CD

10/1

Plenty of course form (dual C&D winner), appears here defending a long losing run (last win a C&D one in May 2018). Slipped to an interesting mark now having run with credit off this mark at Sandown (14f) last time, could well run another solid race.

Form: 358-452

(10)

Quloob^p⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: S W Kelly| T: G & J Moore| OR: 88

20/1

Well below form on return over 20f in the Ascot Stakes (likely to have needed run), still lightly-raced for one of his age (may still have something to offer). Yet to win for this yard but only 1lb above his last winning mark, cheekpieces back on.

Form: 0/5434-0

(5)

Mordred²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: K T O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 83

9/1

Took advantage of a fall in the weights to win on his reappearance at Lingfield (second AW start) over 12f. Continued in good form in three starts since all at shorter trips than this, not crying out for this trip, faces some stout stayers.

Form: 90-1222

Non-Runners

(8)

Calling The Wind²¹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: R Hughes J: P J Dobbs

Forecasts

Laafy (9/4), King's Advice (11/2), Themaxwecan (6/1), Calling The Wind (7/1), Hochfeld (15/2), Indianapolis (8/1), Mordred (9/1), Platitude (10/1), Shailene (14/1), Quloob (20/1)

Mark Johnston has a good record in Class 2 handicaps at Goodwood (won this three times since 2015, including last year) and field a trio in this. Last year’s winner King’s Advice isn’t in the same form this year and with Hochfield struggling for form despite a reduced mark his best chance lies with THEMAXWECAN who may well get the stamina test he needs here to get back to winning ways. Old Newton Cup second Laafy looks a big danger stepping up in trip a gelding operation looking to have given him an improved outlook. Shaailene was third in this last year and should go well again whilst dual C&D winner Platitude has slipped to a dangerous looking mark and must be respected.