14:30 Goodwood

Thursday 31 July 2025

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4516:2016:5517:30

HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 2m 37.88s

(3)

Galveston^b⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106

8/1

Frankel colt who was blinkered when resuming winning ways in 7-runner conditions event at Naas (10.4f, good) in May. Showed improved form up in trip/grade when third of 9 in Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, well ridden. Going the right way but this demands more still.

Form: 71-713

(4)

Merchant⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103| D

6/5

Classy looker who's proving most progressive, producing a dominant display upped to 1½m for the first time at York's Dante meeting before following up in 19-runner King George V Stakes (Handicap) at Royal Ascot last time, finding plenty to lead final 50 yds. Exciting prospect with more to come.

Form: 721-311

(5)

Rahiebb⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 105

17/2

Frankel colt who overcame considerable greenness to make a winning debut in 1m novice at Newcastle in March and has improved when placed all 4 outings since, including when third of 13 in Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (14.2f, firm) last time. Drop back to a sharp 12f may not be ideal, though.

Form: 12223

(7)

Sir Dinadan³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 112

4/1

Well-made colt who showed progressive form in novices at 2 yrs, off the mark in 10f event at Pontefract on final outing. Has acquitted himself well at a higher level this season, including when fifth of 10 to Lambourn in Irish Derby at the Curragh (12f, good) 32 days ago. Solid claims down in grade.

Form: 021-425

(6)

Too Soon⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 95

50/1

Progressive in maidens as a juvenile, off the mark at third time of asking at Epsom (8.5f). However, didn't appear to grow much prior to his 3-y-o season and has had his limitations exposed since. Set for another struggle.

Form: 314-695

(2)

Wimbledon Hawkeye^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S D Bowen| T: James Owen| OR: 109

15/2

Smart colt who took the Royal Lodge on the Rowley Mile last autumn and has made the frame on 4 of his 5 starts at pattern level this year, including when second of 4 to El Cordobes in Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket (12f, good to firm, 5/2) 21 days ago. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 3-25342

(1)

Windlord^p²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 107

15/2

Used as a pacemaker for Field of Gold in the Irish 2000 Guineas/St James's Palace but smart in his own right and gained a second win of his career in 6-runner listed event at Sandown (10f) 27 days ago, edging ahead final strides. Has hopes of staying this 2f longer trip on that evidence.

Form: 13-2861

Forecasts

Merchant (6/5), Sir Dinadan (4/1), Wimbledon Hawkeye (15/2), Windlord (15/2), Galveston (8/1), Rahiebb (17/2), Too Soon (50/1)

The one who stands out is the highly progressive MERCHANT, who impressed with how he responded for pressure having still had plenty to pass approaching the final furlong in the King George V Stakes (Handicap) at Royal Ascot, which points to him being a Group class performer. Of the opposition, Sir Dinadan looks most interesting back down in grade having shaped a good deal better than his finishing position suggests in the Irish Derby.