14:25 Goodwood

Friday 29 July 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 1m 38.10s

(6)

Bayside Boy⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: R Varian| OR: 112

2/1

Won Group 2 Champagne at Doncaster last September and third in Group 1 Dewhurst and Futurity on final 2 outings in 2021. Never figured from difficult draw in French 2000 Guineas on return but right back on track when close seventh in St James's Palace since. Big player with sights lowered.

Form: 2133-07

(4)

Berkshire Shadow²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 111

11/4

Won the Coventry and hard to knock his mid-field efforts in 2000 Guineas/St James's Palace upon returning this term. Promised more than he delivered when third in Newmarket listed event since but no surprise to see him thereabouts here.

Form: 274-563

(5)

Checkandchallenge²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: W J Knight| OR: 109| BF| D

11/4

Won on AW first 2 starts, the latter a 1m Newcastle listed race on Good Friday. Inexperience found him out in the 2000 Guineas (also met trouble) but he stepped up markedly again despite being left with too much to do when second in a Sandown handicap latest. Serious player back up in class.

Form: 1-102

(3)

Hotline Bling^t³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Manuel Martinez| T: Raphael Freire| OR: 91| D

50/1

Fair performer at sprint trips for Richard Hannon and improved over longer trips for present stable, completing hat-trick in Norwegian 2000 Guineas at Ovrevoll 5 weeks ago. However, he'll have to step up a good deal on that form to feature back on these shores.

Form: 1-45411

(1)

Rocchigiani⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: P Schiergen| OR: 110

11/2

Well-bred colt who has been progressing well in Germany, finding only Maljoom too strong in German 2000 Guineas at Cologne in May. Confirmed improvement showed then when fifth in the Jersey at Ascot last month, staying on again final 1f. Return to 1m rates a plus on that evidence.

Form: 117-625

(2)

Sonny Liston⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 103

12/1

Lawman colt who landed sole start at 2 yrs and stepped up without looking finished article when not beaten far in Feilden/Dee Stakes during the spring. Set a stiff task and never figured in the Derby when last seen and he needs to find some improvement to figure back at 1m.

Form: 1-430

(7)

The Wizard Of Eye⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: J S Moore| OR: 103

40/1

Highly tried since landing a Newbury novice (6f) last summer, never a factor when eleventh in English Guineas and strictly below best when 9.5 lengths fifth in German equivalent back in May. Likely to find a few too good again.

Form: 55-7505

Forecasts

Bayside Boy (2/1), Berkshire Shadow (11/4), Checkandchallenge (11/4), Rocchigiani (11/2), Sonny Liston (12/1), The Wizard Of Eye (40/1), Hotline Bling (50/1)

CHECKANDCHALLENGE put up one of the handicap performances of the season despite meeting with defeat when runner-up at Sandown 4 weeks ago, staying on strongly but left with too much to do. Well worth his place back at this higher level, he can come out on top. Little separates Bayside Boy and Berkshire Shadow on St James's Palace form and they can also feature.