15:00 Goodwood

Wednesday 2 August 2023

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

Jaeger-Lecoultre Molecomb Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 1.27s

(7)

Baheer²⁷

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

9/1

Mehmas colt who took knew a whole lot more than on debut and looked a useful sprinting 2-y-o when getting off the mark at Newbury (6f, good to firm) last month. Yard won the last 2 renewals of this race and he looks the sort to go on improving.

Form: 21

(2)

Barnwell Boy⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Johnston| OR: 94| C

10/1

Early foal who quickened up in the style of a useful juvenile when making a decisive winning debut at this track (6f) in May. Best excused the run when well behind Big Evs in listed Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot next time and remains capable of better.

Form: 10

(8)

Big Evs⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: M Appleby| D

9/4

Finished runner-up on debut at Redcar and took a significant step forward when a commanding 3 length winner of the listed Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) 6 weeks ago. Has bags of natural speed and could well take plenty of catching.

Form: 21

(6)

Hackman^t1²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Palmer| OR: 87| D

16/1

Confirmed the promise of his debut to score at Chester in May and having shaped as if amiss when well held in Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot in June, wasted no time getting back to form when placed in listed company for a second time at Sandown last month. Tongue tie on but this a huge ask.

Form: 31302

(3)

Kylian²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: K R Burke| OR: 105| D

9/4

Took another step forward to get off the mark in good style switched to all-weather at Newcastle in June and showed much improved form when following up in listed race at Sandown (5f, good) last month, settling matters quickly with a good turn of foot. Looks sure to be in the mix.

Form: 3211

(1)

Markakol^h¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 85| D

50/1

Starspangledbanner colt who stepped up on his debut effort when winning 5f Newcastle novice in decisive fashion last month. Not up to the task in listed company at Newbury since, so likely to come up short in this company.

Form: 618

(4)

Purosangue²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 97| D

11/2

Bred for speed and duly made an impressive racecourse bow when making all in minor event at Haydock (5f, good to firm) in June. Matched rather than advanced that form when fifth in July Stakes at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) just under 3 weeks ago and he remains with potential.

Form: 15

(5)

Shagraan¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: C G Cox| OR: 97

9/1

Sioux Nation colt who left debut form behind when winning Windsor novice in good style last month. Progressed again upped in grade when runner-up in listed race at Newbury (good) 12 days ago and fancied to keep on improving dropped to the minimum trip for the first time.

Form: 712

Forecasts

Big Evs (9/4), Kylian (9/4), Purosangue (11/2), Baheer (9/1), Shagraan (9/1), Barnwell Boy (10/1), Hackman (16/1), Markakol (50/1)

BIG EVS landed the Windsor Castle with aplomb 6 weeks ago, and with that level of form enough to win most recent renewals of this contest, he's fancied to take this step up to pattern level in his stride and get the better of Kylian, who arrives chasing a hat-trick but may have to settle for silver on this occasion. Shagraan continues to go from strength-to-strength and now down at the minimum trip for the first time he can do battle with Barnwell Boy for third spot.