17:20 Goodwood
Saturday 5 August 2017
All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20
Qatar Apprentice Handicap
- 3YO plus | Class 3 | 1m 1f 11y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 17 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 1m 57.5s
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Without a win since 2015 and hard to think that he can give weight away here to the entire field in his current form despite the declining mark.
Course winner who won three of his four starts last year and ended his 2016 campaign with a win at Yarmouth. Stable do well at this track and he's of interest having run well (and won) when fresh before.
Won a couple of times last year at a mile and has proved to be consistent enough this year without winning. Could probably do with the handicapper cutting him some slack as he does appear to struggle off marks of 90 and above and that makes his task difficult here.
Not seen that much on course these days and this would only be his fourth run of the year but he is still 6lb above his last winning mark and that makes life a little difficult here.
Ground conditions could be a worry as he does look to be better on good ground so he'll need it to continue dry out to be seen at his best here. Won twice already this year but both have come on better ground than this and he's now a further 3lb up in the weights.
Three runs this year have all have their creditable aspects but yet to have his ideal conditions which are a big field and a strong pace this season. Could get that scenario here and with his mark easing he's not one to write off.
Useful handicapper especially when he's allowed to go from the front or race predominantly as he did at Chester last time out. May not find it so easy to dominate here and forces up in grade here again after his latest win.
His C&D record here reads 4/6 and his last two wins have come in apprentice races. Certainly looked to be on his way back last time out (in an apprentice race) and also given a chance by the handicapper off a mark of 85 (his last winning mark).
Course winner who has come back to form this year and is going through a good spell with three wins to his name. Disappointed when trying for a hat-trick last time out when too keen and pulling his chance away and will need to settle better here to have a chance.
A long losing streak came to an end last time out when taking a Bath handicap under today's rider. Overall he's a reliable sort but the win-to-run ratio does leave him something to find overall.
Managed to end a long losing run when coring at Ripon over a mile and his starts since have been consistent enough. He's not a straightforward sort though and can look an awkward ride although he's sure to be fit enough having won the charity race here on Thursday.
Certainly the most inexperienced runner in the field with just two runs to his name so far with the win coming on his second run at Ayr in a mile maiden with cut in the ground. Travelled well on that occasion although it was only poor race but there is improvement in him and his opening mark doesn't look too tough.
A winner in lowly company earlier in the year when with Jamie Osborne but hasn't offered much at all for his new yard and hard to see him taking much of a part here.
His course record reads 2/2 and it was the return to this course that proved to be the catalyst for his return to form over 7f in June. Shaped well enough on one subsequent run last time out at Ascot (not quite in the right part of the track) but might be a question mark over him at this trip with his best form coming over 7f.
Among the more progressive types in the field having won his last two starts winning an apprentice handicap last time out at Ascot over a mile with a few of today's rivals behind. Looks to be on a real roll now and given where he raced last time out his run could well be better than it looks and is just 4lb higher and looks to have a leading chance.
Won twice earlier in the year in small field handicaps but hasn't quite been able to match that form since. His last run came earlier in the meeting when he failed to cope with the heavy ground over this trip that looks to really stretch his stamina.
Certainly improved to win at Chepstow over 1m2f in June and wasn't far below that form when trying to follow-up at Epsom. Despite the qualities in that run he does have to step up in grade again here and other make more appeal.
Non-Runners
17
(18)
Surrey Hope37
Weight: 9-2| Age: 3
T: J Tuite J: Non Runner
NR
Forecasts
Born To Be Alive (5/2), You're Hired (6/1), Storm Ahead (6/1), Fire Tree (10/1), Rotherwick (11/1), Interconnection (12/1), Fast Dancer (14/1), Spring Offensive (16/1), Balmoral Castle (16/1), Jufn (16/1), Surrey Hope (16/1), Magic City (20/1), In The Red (20/1), Morning Suit (20/1), Storm King (25/1), Boots And Spurs (25/1), Bancnuanaheireann (33/1), Retrieve (40/1)
The apprentices get their chance in the finale to the meeting with a couple of improving types facing some accomplished handicappers at this level. Born To Be Alive is inexperienced and makes his handicap debut but he should have more improvement in him and along with the progressive Fire Tree form a dangerous duo. Storm Ahead could finally get his ideal scenario with strong pace in this big field conditions that suit him ideally. Magic City and In The Red are another two to throw in the mix but this 1m1f trip may just test the stamina of both. You’re Hired sits towards the head of the market with a good record when fresh but BALMORAL CASTLE loves this C&D and apprentice races and off his last winning mark he’s the suggestion in this trappy finale.
- Balmoral Castle
- Fire Tree
- Storm Ahead
Prize Money
1st: £16,172.002nd: £4,812.003rd: £2,405.004th: £1,202.00
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