14:15 Goodwood

Saturday 21 May 2022

All13:1013:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

William Hill Festival Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 2m 8.83s

(1)

Victory Chime¹⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 109| CD

11/1

In the form of his life last autumn, including a C&D listed success (reopposing West End Charmer length back in third). Carries a 3 lb penalty for that so he will need to be better than ever to strike on reappearance.

Form: 002110-

(5)

Al Zaraqaan³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 96| D

50/1

Winning start for this yard in 3-runner Newcastle conditions event in January but limitations have been exposed in good company on AW since. Needs to prove he's equally as effective on the grass. Others preferred.

Form: 4-14626

(9)

Brentford Hope¹⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: R Hughes| OR: 106| D

11/2

Placed at Group 2/3 level last autumn. First start for 195 days. All 3 wins on soft/heavy so any rain in his favour. Should be in the shake-up.

Form: 142733-

(2)

Father Of Jazz^h³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: R Varian| OR: 103| D

14/1

Smart gelding who has run respectably in Kempton listed and Newmarket Group 3 this spring. Won't need to raise his game too much to go close.

Form: 3995-45

(7)

Majestic Dawn^b¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: P & O Cole| OR: 111| D

3/1

Winner of 2020 Cambridgeshire and better than ever when winning Salisbury handicap and second in Newmarket listed last autumn. Had possible excuses when well-held last of 4 on his Chester reappearance and likely to fare better now.

Form: 35312-4

(8)

Movin Time²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 104| D

5/1

Just a Newmarket maiden win to his name so far but he has shown very useful form in defeat on his last 3 outings, leaving the impression he'd be sharper for the run when sixth of 9 in 9f Newmarket handicap on reappearance 3 weeks ago.

Form: 22/154-6

(6)

Stormy Antarctic^t¹⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: E Walker| OR: 108| CD

17/2

Multiple pattern winner over the years and showed he's still capable of smart form when winning this race on soft ground last year. Ought to be thereabouts if primed after 6 months off.

Form: 214926-

(3)

West End Charmer²⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109| D

5/1

Smart performer but doesn't see the track too often. Good third in C&D listed in September on sole 2021 start. Every chance he'll be primed for this. Respected.

Form: 48113/3-

(4)

Ad Infinitum^h²²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 99| CD

17/2

Won a soft-ground C&D listed last May on just her second start. Bettered that when 4 lengths fourth of 15 to Ville de Grace in Newmarket Group 3 final outing. This demands more but she's had only 5 starts so further progress isn't discounted.

Form: 4/1054-

Forecasts

Majestic Dawn (3/1), West End Charmer (5/1), Movin Time (5/1), Brentford Hope (11/2), Stormy Antarctic (17/2), Ad Infinitum (17/2), Victory Chime (11/1), Father Of Jazz (14/1), Al Zaraqaan (50/1)

A wide-open listed contest. WEST END CHARMER isn't seen too often so it's likely he'll be ready to roll on his reappearance and he gets a narrow vote. Majestic Dawn was beaten a long way on his return to action at Chester a fortnight ago but there were excuses and he'll be a threat if bouncing back to anywhere near his best. Last year's winner Stormy Antarctic is another to consider, while Brentford Hope would also enter the reckoning should the ground go soft.