16:30 Goodwood

Friday 20 May 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Sussex Roof Garden Bar Handicap

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 3m 34.82s

(1)

Goshen⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 87| BF| D

10/11

Classy hurdler who has won three of his seven starts on the Flat. Resumes in this sphere following back-to-back victories over timber, latterly the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, and he's the one to beat.

Form: 011163/

(8)

Diamond Bay¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Ward| OR: 86

11/1

Hit the target three times last year and added to his tally on return at Kempton (1½m) in March. Not disgraced at Ascot since, but he appears to be more effective on the AW and going into new territory trip-wise here.

Form: 112-180

(5)

Cloud Thunder^b¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Frederick Larson⁽⁵⁾| T: H Main| OR: 79| D

25/1

Did the job well when opening his account in this sphere at Newbury in October. Best to draw a line through his low-key reappearance at Hamilton and capable of playing a leading role here if on-song.

Form: 83153-0

(7)

Mellow Magic²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Davies⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 80

5/1

Deservedly got off the mark on return at Windsor (11.4f, good, 5/2) last month and followed that with a solid effort in defeat back up to 1¾m here three weeks ago when beaten 2½ lengths by Saratoga Gold. Should make her presence felt.

Form: 3342-12

(6)

Saratoga Gold²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 79| C

5/1

Looked better than ever when scoring here (1¾m, good to firm) three weeks ago, proving 2½ lengths too strong for Mellow Magic. This trip should be within range and yard won this race last year, so there's cause for optimism.

Form: 11533-1

(4)

Aggagio³³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 74| C

9/1

Dual winner for Jean-Claude Rouget in France, latterly a 9f claimer in May. Successful sole previous visit here and, with no concerns with regard to wellbeing (winner over hurdles in March), he's by no means discounted.

Form: 715313-

(2)

Nellie Moon²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 72

16/1

Improved when striking at Newbury last summer, but she was behind three of these on return here last month and clearly has work to do, for all that she's entitled to come on for that run.

Form: 14633-5

(3)

Cherry Cola²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: T E Whelan| T: Miss S West| OR: 68

18/1

Performed above market expectations when third behind Saratoga Gold and Mellow Magic here 21 days ago. Possibilities off the same mark if able to build on that encouraging effort.

Form: 31486-3

Non-Runners

(9)

Single²¹⁰

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: M R Channon J: George Bass

Forecasts

Goshen (10/11), Mellow Magic (5/1), Saratoga Gold (5/1), Single (8/1), Aggagio (9/1), Diamond Bay (11/1), Nellie Moon (16/1), Cherry Cola (18/1), Cloud Thunder (25/1)

This race revolves around high-class hurdler GOSHEN, who resumes in this sphere on an attractive mark and will prove a tough nut to crack provided all is well. Mellow Magic shapes as though this trip will be within range and she is taken to reverse recent placings with Saratoga Gold. Andrew Balding's charge is second choice ahead of Aggagio.

Previous Winners

2021

East Asia

Weight: 8-13 |Age: 6

J: W Buick | T: Ian Williams

11/5

Prize Money

1st: £6,156.002nd: £2,890.003rd: £1,446.004th: £723.005th: £300.006th: £300.00