Toca Madera ran well on his Newmarket reappearance two weeks ago, all the more so given he was pulling far too hard in the opening furlong, and he should run well under suitable conditions. He kept finishing behind Shagraan (second choice) last year though and Mick Appleby's topweight, who didn't miss a dance last summer and progressed steadily, appeals as the type to make up into a Pattern-race performer this year. He is returning from a break though and perhaps HOLKHAM BAY, who was also progressive last year, may have his measure now he has a run under his belt.[Paul Smith]
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Tough sprinter who ran a string of good races in hot handicaps last year, beating 15 rivals over C&D at Glorious Goodwood and adding a good Haydock event to his tally in September; absent since a midfield finish over 5.5f in the Portland at Doncaster; drying ground in his favour and he could develop into a Pattern horse this year; good chance.
Form took off last year, winning a Class 4 event at York last June and adding two Class 2 handicaps at Ascot in the second half of the year; shaped as though the run was needed on his Southwell reappearance four weeks ago; mark left unchanged but some of his autumn form suggests he could still be well treated; Brandon Wilkie takes off a useful 3lb and he's more appealing than many.
Ran well when third behind Shagraan in the big 3yo sprint handicap at Glorious Goodwood and went on to win over 6f at Windsor two weeks later; pulled his rider's arms out for the first furlong of his Newmarket reappearance two weeks ago and did well to finish second given those early exertions; should remain competitive and drying ground would suit.
His mark is easing but only gradually and the evidence of his latest Newmarket seventh (first-time cheekpieces, retained; Toca Madera second) suggests he needs more weight off his back; first Goodwood appearance.
A wind operation in October 2023 proved successful and he had some smart sprint form last year, notably his narrow defeat of Miss Attitude over C&D at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good; made all); ran well off this mark at Southwell when last seen 246 days ago; back from an absence perhaps not the time to catch him though.
Beaten a nose by Tatterstall in a Class 2 over C&D at last summer's Glorious meeting; better than ever on AW in March and she didn't get much luck in a Bath Listed event 12 days ago (stiff task); this should be more suitable and she represents last year's winning connections.
In good form on AW this year, winning two 5f handicaps at Southwell; latest second, at the hands of a handicap blot, was another fine effort; has run well at Goodwood in the past but a 3lb rise for the last run could just find him out.
Has bundles of ability but his losing run stretches back to February 2022 and he has spurned easier opportunities than this on AW over the winter; ran another good race back on turf at Epsom ten days ago when hemmed in against the stands' rail and keeping on well for second when finally seeing daylight; 3lb wrong today, however, and more minor money perhaps his best hope.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
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