15:25 Goodwood

Tuesday 1 August 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:0517:35

Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 1m 30.15s

(5)

Golden Mind³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94

4/1

Half-brother to Perfect Power who won the Norfolk and Commonwealth Cup and he's going the right way himself, building on an encouraging debut when landing 6f Leicester maiden. Stuck to the task really well when third in thew Chesham over 7f when last seen.

Form: 313

(4)

Haatem¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 102

9/4

Bath maiden winner who took his form up a notch when fifth of 20 in Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Confirmed stamina for 7f when runner-up in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes and that form puts him right in the mix.

Form: 31352

(9)

Iberian⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| D

10/3

Well backed and posted fairly-useful effort when taking 13-runner novice event at Newbury over 6.5f, on debut in June. Open to plenty of improvement, particularly over 7f so he's dangerous to rule out.

Form: 1

(7)

Mountain Bear¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97

11/1

Left his debut run behind when landing big-field maiden at the Curragh in June. Hampered early when seventh of 9 in the July Stakes and on the evidence of that race, he's ready for 7f.

Form: 617

(8)

Soldier's Gold¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: H Palmer| OR: 90

20/1

Going the right way, off the mark in Carlisle novice in June before finding a jolt of progress to follow up switched to a nursery at Ascot. Well worth his place in this grade tackling 7f for the first time.

Form: 4211

(2)

Son¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 93| D

20/1

Built on encouraging debut effort when taking 10-runner maiden at Newbury (6.5f) with a but in hand. Fared about as well as could be expected when fifth of 9 in the Superlative Stakes over 7f 17 days ago.

Form: 315

(6)

Turf Phoenix¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 95

14/1

Leicester maiden winner who was doing all his best work at the finish when eighth of 20 in Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Promises to stay 7f but weakened out of, albeit in the face of a stiff task in the Superlative Stakes.

Form: 4186

(3)

Thunder Blue¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 98| C

8/1

Opened account in fine style over 6f here in June and far from disgraced when fifth of 14 in the Norfolk Stakes since. Another fair fourth in the July Stakes but no reason to think he's much better than that unless improving for 7f.

Form: 2154

(1)

Witness Stand³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: Tom Clover| D

14/1

Foaled January 24. 80,000 gns foal, Expert Eye colt. Half-brother to 3 winners and created a fine impression himself when taking 7-runner maiden on debut at Chester in June (7f). Wasn't extended to so and he's a sure-fire improver.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Haatem (9/4), Iberian (10/3), Golden Mind (4/1), Thunder Blue (8/1), Mountain Bear (11/1), Witness Stand (14/1), Turf Phoenix (14/1), Son (20/1), Soldier's Gold (20/1)

On the face of it, IBERIAN has quite a bit to find graduating from novice company, but he created a very favourable impression when winning at Newbury and, given his pedigree, there should be lots more to come. Haatem had little chance with a top prospect in the Superlative Stakes but he beat the rest easily enough and he's the form pick, with Soldier's Gold another to consider up in trip.