14:25 Goodwood

Thursday 1 August 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Markel Richmond Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 9.97s

(2)

Aparajeo¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| D

16/1

70,000 gns Invincible Army colt. Half-brother to 2-y-o 5f/6f winner Kodi Red. Dam 2-y-o 5f winner. Overcame inexperience to make a winning debut in 12-runner novice (6/1) at Windsor (6f, good to firm) 17 days ago. Open to improvement but needs to find a big chunk of it here.

Form: 1

(9)

Big Cyril¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 94| D

33/1

Built on 7f debut third when readily making all over 6f at Ayr (good to firm) and progressed again when third in listed race at Newbury 2 weeks ago. This much tougher, however.

Form: 313

(8)

Billboard Star²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 104| D

6/1

Confirmed debut promise when winning 9-runner novice at Newmarket (July Course) and took form to another level when second in Group 2 there 3 weeks ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 312

(5)

Black Forza²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: M O'Callaghan| D

9/1

Much better for debut when winning 13-runner maiden at Fairyhouse (6f, good) 22 days ago. Runner-up has since boosted he form so no forlorn hope.

Form: 51

(7)

Intrusively²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E Bethell| OR: 83

40/1

Ran to a similar level when placed all 3 starts and unlikely to be breaking his duck in this.

Form: 232

(1)

King Of Bears²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: P & O Cole| D

18/1

Left debut behind to win 9-runner novice at Newbury (6f, good) 28 days ago but another big step forward is required.

Form: 71

(6)

The Strikin Viking³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 109| D

11/10

65,000 gns 2-y-o, Inns of Court colt. Impressive debut winner at York and enhanced his reputation when runner-up in Group 2 at the Curragh, travelling best. First run for yard after leaving Kevin Ryan. Form choice.

Form: 12

(3)

The Waco Kid^t¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: H Palmer| D

14/1

80,000 gns yearling, Mehmas colt. Dam unraced half-sister to high-class winner up to 1m Kameko. Put debut experience to good use when beating mostly newcomers in 11-runner novice at Newbury (6f, good to firm, 16/5) 12 days ago. Has potential but this is a big step up.

Form: 41

(4)

Tropical Storm⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 101

9/2

Stepped up on debut when second at Newmarket and further progress when runner-up in Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, firm, 11/1) 6 weeks ago. Should be in the mix again up in trip.

Form: 522

Forecasts

The Strikin Viking (11/10), Tropical Storm (9/2), Billboard Star (6/1), Black Forza (9/1), The Waco Kid (14/1), Aparajeo (16/1), King Of Bears (18/1), Big Cyril (33/1), Intrusively (40/1)

THE STRIKIN VIKING had created a big impression at York and enhanced his reputation without quite being able to fend off another excellent prospect when second in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh. This race doesn't look as deep so he is fancied to go one better. Tropical Storm and Billboard Star can place again at this level.