16:30 Goodwood

Saturday 4 May 2024

All13:3514:0514:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

William Hill Epic Boost Handicap

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 2m 12.22s

(6)

Bill Silvers¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 94

5/1

Lightly-raced Doncaster 7f winner who ran creditably after 6 months off when fifth of 21 at Newbury (8f, good) 2 weeks ago, shaping a bit better than the distance beaten suggested given he began his challenge a bit away from the other principals. Should be more to come.

Form: 4163-5

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(4)

Wonder Legend^h1,t1²⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 93| BF| D

9/2

Off the mark at the third attempt in Wolverhampton maiden and took a step forward to score on handicap debut at Doncaster last April. Better than result at Royal Ascot next start and ran to similar level at Chelmsford 8 months ago. Hood/tongue tie applied (also gelded) and he's respected.

Form: 5/21185-

(3)

Captain Wierzba²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 90

10/1

Very easy to back but showed more than he had in 2 outings in useful company last spring when eighth on all-weather/handicap debut at Kempton (11f) 4 weeks ago. Mark 5 lb lower back on turf and should have more to offer.

Form: 1U6/95-8

(2)

Sweet Reward¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: J G Portman| OR: 90| CD

11/1

Better than ever when landing handicap in the mud over C&D last August. Signed 2023 campaign off with a poor effort but looked at least as good as ever after 7 months off when finishing runner-up at Newbury (10f, good) 2 weeks ago. Can build on that here.

Form: 71657-2

(5)

Maghlaak³⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: C Hills| OR: 86| BF| CD

6/1

Won 2 of his 3 starts as a 3-y-o (second one over C&D) and enhanced his form when placed on both starts in handicaps last May. Clearly had his problems to not have been seen since but remains a useful prospect provided all is well (gelded in the interim).

Form: 311/32-

(8)

Alpha Crucis¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Watson| T: G & J Moore| OR: 84| C

3/1

Won twice over 1m in the mud last year (including at this track) and returned with a good fourth of 20 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (heavy). Unable to build on that at Newbury subsequently (though did lose a shoe) and now steps up to this sort of trip for the first time.

Form: 2516-40

(7)

Qitaal¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 83| BF| D

12/1

Rejoined former yard for just 4,000 gns and proved that all ability is retained to make a winning handicap debut at Doncaster after almost 2 years off in March, going with zest. Possibly unsuited by the track at Epsom last time and remains one to be positive about.

Form: 3316/16

(1)

Indemnity¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 80

6/1

Has finished runner-up on all 3 starts to date, latest at Lingfield (10f, AW) back in November. Makes turf/handicap debut for powerful connections and warrants considerable respect on reappearance (gelded in the interim).

Form: 222-

Forecasts

Alpha Crucis (3/1), Wonder Legend (9/2), Bill Silvers (5/1), Maghlaak (6/1), Indemnity (6/1), Captain Wierzba (10/1), Sweet Reward (11/1), Qitaal (12/1)

Cases can be made for most, but the most persuasive is for WONDER LEGEND, who boasts some strong 3-y-o form and has been gelded ahead of his return. A first-time hood/tongue tie goes on, and he can get the better of Indemnity, who has finished runner-up on 3 all-weather starts last year and now makes his handicap/turf debut. Bill Silvers and the returning Maghlaak can fight out third spot.