13:50 Goodwood

Wednesday 2 August 2023

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

Coral Handicap

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 2m 49.13s

(11)

Tagabawa¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 96| D

11/1

Gelded following promising 2-y-o campaign and duly landed a 4-runner Kempton handicap on return in April. Shaped well when sixth in Royal Ascot handicap next time but not in quite the same form at Newmarket (10f) since. Steps back up in trip now.

Form: 13-167

(9)

Struth¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 95| D

10/1

Kicked off the campaign with success at Chester (12.3f, heavy) in May and made the frame on 3 of his 4 starts since, albeit not entirely convincing off the bridle having travelled best when third at Ascot (12f) last month. Still, easy ground will hold no fears and not out of things.

Form: 5-12033

(4)

Westerton¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: A King| OR: 93

7/2

Cemented positive start in handicaps when off the mark in a Sandown maiden (10f) on penultimate start in June and he took another step forward when third in a competitive Newmarket handicap (10f) 19 days ago, staying on gradually. Unexposed at this sort of trip and well worth considering.

Form: 52-2213

(12)

Tony Montana²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 92

9/1

425,000 gns Kingman colt who didn't need to improve when opening his account in a Newbury novice (10f) 3 weeks ago, going clear over 1f out. Plenty of stamina on dam's side to think he's worth a crack at this sort of trip now attentions switch to handicaps.

Form: 2-301

(7)

Fox Journey¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 90| D

5/1

Showed ability all 3 starts at 2 yrs and boasts 2 wins from 4 starts this campaign, staying on to lead final 100 yds for the latest at Newbury (12f) last month. Attitude looks an asset and unlikely he's finished improving yet.

Form: 44-1641

(6)

Amleto⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 89

5/2

Brother to high-class 1¼m-1½m winner Sea of Class who has progressed with each start to date, off the mark on return (gelded in interim) in a Chester maiden (10.3f, heavy) back in May. Did that readily and highly likely there's more to come now handicapping up in trip.

Form: 04-1

(3)

Inquiring Minds⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 89

33/1

All-weather maiden winner (10f) on debut in May who seemed to find Lingfield Derby Trial too much later that month. However, has shaped as if his opening mark is fair since, midfield in competitive 19-runner Royal Ascot handicap (12f) without being given a hard time. Remains with potential.

Form: 1820

(1)

Clan Chieftain⁴⁰

12/1

Stepped up greatly on his debut effort last year when landing a Chepstow maiden (10f) in June, staying on to lead final 100 yds. Not in same groove at Newmarket later last month but very much the type to do better still in handicaps following wind op for his in-form yard.

Form: 0-16

(8)

French Invasion¹⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Dettori| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| D

16/1

Well-bred colt who was a taking winner on debut at Kempton (12f) in January before following up under a penalty at Lingfield a month later. Possibly not 100% when third on handicap debut at Southwell (11f) thereafter (hung badly left 2f out) but he remains a bright prospect back from a break.

Form: 113

(5)

The Goat²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 81

25/1

Cracksman colt who surpassed previous form granted the run of things when third in 5-runner Kempton novice (11f) 21 days ago, headed 2f out and keeping on. Stamina drawn out a little more now handicapping.

Form: 32-63

(2)

Cool Party^v1⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 78

50/1

Progressive dual winner at around 1m as a juvenile. Yet to kick on in handful of starts this term, not making himself of any real short-term interest when third in 5-runner Sandown handicap (14f) 6 days ago. Connections opt for a first-time visor now.

Form: 11-5043

Non-Runners

(10)

Alumnus⁴

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: C Johnston J: F Norton

Forecasts

Amleto (5/2), Westerton (7/2), Fox Journey (5/1), Tony Montana (9/1), Struth (10/1), Tagabawa (11/1), Clan Chieftain (12/1), French Invasion (16/1), Alumnus (16/1), The Goat (25/1), Inquiring Minds (33/1), Cool Party (50/1)

A strong staying handicap for 3-y-os with a host arriving with claims including FOX JOURNEY. He showed a likeable attitude as he doubled his career tally over this trip at Newbury 12 days ago and he could be up to taking another step forward from this 5 lb higher mark. Westerton, stepping up in trip, and low-mileage Amleto are others to consider, whilst Clan Chieftain could also get back on track following a wind op now making his handicap debut.