17:20 Goodwood

Friday 4 August 2023

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

Coral Handicap

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 2m 32.30s

(8)

Intricacy^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 89

6/1

Already developing a consistent record and found improvement to score readily in first-time cheekpieces at Ascot 3 weeks ago. This is tougher and he needs to prove he gets this far, but his racing style should lend itself to this type of event.

Form: 1-24221

(13)

Balance Play³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 88

7/2

Progressive sort who wasn't hard pressed to open his account at Chester a month ago. More to come but he's likely to be pestered up front this time.

Form: 43-231

(12)

Loyal Touch⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: L Dettori| T: C Johnston| OR: 88

16/1

Won a Carlisle novice and Kempton handicap (both 1m) as a juvenile. Not discredited on either outing this term, but handicapper looks to have his measure for now. Stepped up in trip.

Form: 3151-95

(9)

Nader King³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 87

7/2

Chased home Derby runner-up King of Steel at Nottingham on latter start at 2 yrs before landing maiden there on return. Right back on track when a clear second at Salisbury last time and, with more to come, he's worth backing to resume winning ways.

Form: 62-132

(3)

Maso Bastie³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 87| BF

7/1

Promising sort who doubled his tally in testing ground at Nottingham on return in May and shaped as if still in form at Newcastle subsequently. Good pace should bring more out of him, so likely to feature.

Form: 41-13

(11)

Roaring Legend^p,t³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: J Ferguson| OR: 82| BF

15/2

Posted career best, in first-time cheekpieces, when winning 9-runner maiden at Salisbury in June and backed it up with a solid showing when runner-up at Hamilton a month ago. Third has boosted that form since, so could go well under another positive ride.

Form: 232212

(1)

Rathgar²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: J Channon| OR: 82| C

12/1

Good placed efforts in handicaps at Newmarket and York on first 2 outings this year. Disappointing since and likely to struggle again in a race as competitive as this.

Form: 31-2389

(6)

Kintaro⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

66/1

Fair form on first two starts, then seemed unsuited by soft ground at Thirsk when last seen 45 days ago. Gelded since and longer trip should suit, but the handicapper has taken no chances with opening mark.

Form: 4-36

(5)

True Legend^p⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 75

10/1

Mostly progressive and was firmly back on track in first-time cheekpieces when scoring at Salisbury last weekend. Penalised in a stronger contest but can't be ruled out.

Form: 0-11651

(10)

Alumnus^v⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 80

66/1

Displayed much-improved form equipped with a first-time visor when opening his account at Newcastle (12.5f) in June, allowed first run and in control long way out. Hard to knock his latest third back at that venue 6 days ago but still needs to prove himself as effective on turf.

Form: 28-2613

(2)

Noodle Mission³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: M L W Bell| OR: 79

50/1

Dual winner (readily) twice on AW earlier this year and his turf debut after a break at Chester is easily excused. Remains with potential but needs to prove himself on the ground.

Form: 07-1516

(4)

Dancing In Paris⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 78

13/2

Took a step forward making his handicap debut when off the mark at Haydock (1m) in April. Back to form when runner-up at Sandown 9 days ago but others look better treated.

Form: 512552

Non-Runners

(14)

Perfect Play²⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: C Johnston J: Jason Hart

(7)

Sovereign Spirit¹⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Rob Hornby

Forecasts

Balance Play (7/2), Nader King (7/2), Intricacy (6/1), Dancing In Paris (13/2), Maso Bastie (7/1), Roaring Legend (15/2), True Legend (10/1), Sovereign Spirit (10/1), Rathgar (12/1), Perfect Play (12/1), Loyal Touch (16/1), Noodle Mission (50/1), Alumnus (66/1), Kintaro (66/1)

NADER KING got the better of all bar the front-runner at Salisbury last time and has the scope to go on improving, so he takes marginal preference over Maso Bastie, who has already shown a liking for testing ground. Recent Ascot scorer Intricacy also deserves plenty of respect in what should be a hotly-contested handicap.