Not a great deal of early pace on show which will count against the well-handicapped Kiwano, while Knebworth and Chairmanoftheboard would be better suited by slower ground. The unexposed Waleefy should go well but SPRING BLOOM (nap) is the pick. It has been a while since he won away from Newmarket but he ran creditably there on his reappearance, will benefit from going back up to 6f and has a hugely promising apprentice taking off 7lb. He often races prominently and has run well over C&D in the past.[Paul Smith]
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The switch to handicaps and addition of a tongue-tie saw him make good progress last summer, winning at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) and Doncaster (7f, good to firm); could have more progress in him this year and he's quick enough to deal with the return to sprinting; good chance.
His four turf wins have come on slower than good, the latest a narrow defeat of Capote's Dream at Newbury last October (6f, heavy); two encouraging runs this year and the switch to blinkers could spark extra; good chance if the ground doesn't dry out too much.
Inconsistent 6yo but he has plenty of talent, as witnessed at Yarmouth last summer when he powered home to win a Racing League handicap (6f, good to firm) off a 1lb higher mark; out of sorts in Bahrain over the winter; can win a nice prize this year but not sure this race will set up ideally for his hold-up style.
Finally exploited his drop in the weights when winning a C&D handicap last October (heavy ground); should come on for March's return to action at Doncaster and while slower ground would be ideal, he did run well in a fast-ground Stewards' Cup in 2020.
Hasn't won away from Newmarket since the summer of 2022; satisfactory return to action at Newmarket two weeks ago (5f, good) and the return to 6f will help; promising 7lb claimer rides for the first time; should go well.
Veteran who has been absent for 439 days; he has been given a chance by the handicapper and returns with his stable in better form than when last seen; would be more interesting were it not for his record of having been unplaced in all ten Goodwood runs.
Just one win since August 2021; fully effective over C&D and the ground shouldn't be an issue; ran respectably on his reappearance last month but suspicion he'll find a couple too strong once again.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
