17:20 Goodwood

Friday 26 May 2023

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

Goodwood Racehorse Owners Group Handicap

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 3m 26.52s

(8)

Ehteyat^b1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 87

25/1

Much improved on the back of a gelding operation, winning twice at Southwell (both 14.1f) in January before posting an excellent second at Lingfield (15.8f). Wasn't seen to best effect back on turf at Ascot latest and must enter calculations in first-time blinkers.

Form: 151205

(6)

Diamond Bay⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Ward| OR: 86| D

12/1

Posted another respectable effort when seventh of 14 in handicap at Lingfield (15.8f, AW) last month but it's been some time since he scored on turf. Others more appealing.

Form: 26-6437

(9)

Blazeon Five¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Christian Howarth⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 85| D

11/1

Back to winning ways when narrowly taking a handicap at Ascot (16f, soft) 14 days ago, better placed than most. 2 lb rise fair and ought to be in the mix again.

Form: 1-22251

(4)

Sashenka³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: L P Keniry| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 82| D

10/1

Acquitted herself well in both starts on level last year and arrives on back of creditable fourth over hurdles at Cheltenham last month. Not out of things.

Form: 2222/37-

(7)

First Emperor^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J Ryan| OR: 83| D

6/1

Won twice on AW at this sort of trip earlier this year and not disgraced in defeat back on turf more recently. Others look better treated, though.

Form: 322385

(11)

Hydroplane^p,t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 82| D

17/2

Won 1 of his 3 starts on Flat last year and posted solid fourth in Kempton handicap (16f) when last seen in March. Remains 6 lb above his last winning mark, though.

Form: 3/616-34

(3)

Melakaz²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Darragh Keenan| T: R Stephens| OR: 78

6/1

Won 3 of his 5 starts in 2022 and back on the scoreboard (on return from 7-month absence) when easily taking 7-runner handicap at Chelmsford City (14f) 22 days ago. 8 lb higher now but holds strong claims nonetheless.

Form: 11125-1

(5)

Grandmaster Flash^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: G & J Moore| OR: 75| D

9/1

Been given a chance by the handicapper and posted respectable fourth at this course (14f, good to soft) latest but remains without a victory on turf and percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 8-59934

(10)

Alpine Stroll^b²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: T E Whelan| T: E De Giles| OR: 74| D

22/1

Twice a winner (at up to 16f) last summer and stepped up on return effort when third at Bath last month. Not in same form at Musselburgh (12.5f) since but has been cut some slack by the handicapper and will find this trip more suitable.

Form: 034-039

(1)

Dance To Paris^v¹¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Marco Ghiani| T: L Wadham| OR: 74| D

28/1

Ran a cracker at Chester first time up last year and returned to winning ways at Lingfield (15.8f) in July. Largely disappointed since, however, and others preferred despite her potentially lenient handicap mark.

Form: 1778-59

(2)

Yorksea³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: G & J Moore| OR: 72

15/8

Fair performer when last ran on Flat in France in 2021, winning handicap at Angers (10.4f). Won twice over hurdles for Gary Moore since and could be interesting back on the level with Hollie Doyle booked.

Form: 060015/

Forecasts

Yorksea (15/8), First Emperor (6/1), Melakaz (6/1), Hydroplane (17/2), Grandmaster Flash (9/1), Sashenka (10/1), Blazeon Five (11/1), Diamond Bay (12/1), Alpine Stroll (22/1), Ehteyat (25/1), Dance To Paris (28/1)

MELAKAZ resumed his progress when winning a Chelmsford handicap with ease earlier this month and remains relatively unexposed over staying trips. He can follow up. Yorksea could be well treated returned to the Flat and is feared most, whilst Ehteyat can also make his presence felt.