Goffs Two Million Series Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 3m 10.33s

(6)

Adjuvant¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M L W Bell| OR: 87| D

13/8

Winless since 2023 and having resumed from 10 months off with a good fifth at Goodwood (12f) in August, he was unable to land a telling blow when tenth in last month's Old Borough Cup at Haydock (14f). Eased 2 lb ahead of this less demanding assignment which can only help. Player.

Form: 0/749-50

(2)

Appier^h¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: N Callan| T: S Woods| OR: 73

20/1

Unreliable sort. Fourteen runs since last win in 2024. Fifth of 7 in handicap at Lingfield (13f, AW, 3/1) 15 days ago. Others make greater appeal.

Form: 325555

(3)

Sword Of Wessex^v²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 79

9/4

Fairly useful gelding who hasn't progressed this year but not far off his best when second of 7 in novice at Ffos Las (12f, good, 11/2) 21 days ago, clear of rest. Return to handicaps rates a likely plus but he does need to conclusively prove his stamina for this far.

Form: 2-36762

(5)

King's Castle⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Taryn Langley⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 70| BF

13/2

All the better for his reappearance/stable debut when landing back-to-back handicaps at Ffos Las/Sandown and shaped well when third of 6 in handicap (5/4) at Epsom (12f, good to soft) 49 days ago, left poorly placed in a sprint finish. Interesting back up in trip.

Form: 95/7113

(4)

Kuredu King^b⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 76

3/1

Advanced his form in first-time blinkers when bagging 7-runner handicap at Haydock (11.6f) in July. Far from disgraced in follow-up bid when fifth of 7 in handicap (4/1) at Ascot (12f, good to firm) 54 days ago and interesting now connections for a further step up in trip.

Form: 0-44915

Non-Runners

(1)

Burj Zabeel³⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: C Johnston J: J Mitchell

Forecasts

Adjuvant (13/8), Sword Of Wessex (9/4), Kuredu King (3/1), King's Castle (13/2), Burj Zabeel (8/1), Appier (20/1)

A trappy small-field staying handicap with class-dropping ADJUVANT given the tentative vote from a reduced mark now encountering forecast softer ground for the first time this term. King's Castle has made a bright start for David Simcock and he's worth a look having not been seen to best effect at Sandown last time. Burj Zabeel and Kuredu King complete the shortlist.