/ Editor / 07 June 2007 /

Eight previous winners, including four who won last time out, will line-up in Goodwood's feature handicap (15:55) on Friday but the race could go the way of the only maiden in the race.

Rock Anthem has been brought on steadily by trainer John Dunlop and his colt makes only his second handicap start in this 10f contest.

Although never disgraced in maiden company, the three-year-old came into his own when making his handicap debut at Windsor in May. Doing his best work in the closing stages that day, he left the impression this step up in trip will suit and provided he handles the track and the slighter faster ground than he has previously encountered, he could rate the best value in a competitive contest.

Traders may want to see how his Windsor conqueror Leptis Magna fares in the previous race on the Goodwood card. A win for David Elsworth's charge in that race will be a big fillip to the form of a contest that has already produced a winner and two placed runs from horses the front two beat fairly and squarely.

Course form is vital at Goodwood and Mr Aviator certainly showed a liking for the track, when scoring here two weeks ago. The form of that race looks solid and he looks set to be suited to this step up in trip. At his likely short price, however, traders will have to consider whether he represents value given a rise in the weights and the fact that last victory was the only time he has shown any real ability.

Another course winner is Zoom One, who scored at this track last term. The obvious question regards fitness with the colt having been off the track since last September. Market confidence may be the best guide as to whether the three-year-old is capable of running a big race after a long lay off, while some traders may feel the son of In The Wings will prove a better horse over a longer trip.

Those tempted by the credentials of the hat-trick seeking Guiseppe Verdi need to be aware that John Gosden's charge has to improve a fair bit on his last effort, if it is to get truly serious here. There was, however, plenty to like about his first turf victory last time at Beverley and he has certainly got a progressive profile.

Mulligan capable of striking gold

Mulligan´s Gold showed he was returning to form last time out over course and distance and looks to have an excellent chance of breaking his seasonal duck in Catterick's feature race (15:40).

Tim Easterby's gelding has an excellent record at the northern track, having won his maiden and been placed second on his other two starts. Now looking extremely well handicapped, he only lost out last time conceding over a stone to Rainbow Bay.

It was his consistency last season that marks him out as a horse to keep the right side of this term and this looks an ideal chance for him to get off the mark.

Connections may have preferred him to be better drawn on a track that favours those racing prominently, although it may transpire the gelding is handicapped to land this event and be suitably rewarded for his efforts last season.

Another course specialist is Alugat who raced with merit throughout last season, picking up three races over the minimum distance. It is interesting that connections step him up for his seasonal reappearance and a check in the market may give the best indication of whether he will last out the trip.

History looks against him with the gelding failing miserably on all attempts over 6f, including finishing last on two of three races. Still, if given an easy lead he may be able to last home but there will be many willing to take him on across the markets.

There are no stamina doubts about Violent Velocity, who scored over 7f after winning over course and distance three starts ago. A little disappointing last time out when pulling too hard for his own good, Violent Velocity also suffered in a race where horses found it difficult to come from behind. If settling better and racing more prominently, he looks set to be a danger suggesting an in-play trade may be the order of the day for those who believe him capable of winning.

Although H Harrison does most of his running over slightly further, the gelding is no mug over this shorter trip and given he comes into this race with plenty of confidence having won last time out, his chances should not be written off too quickly.

The seven-year-old ran respectably in this contest last season and can compete here off a 3lb lower mark. Blessed with a better draw than last season, expect him to race prominently throughout and he may be of special interest to those who like to play in the place markets.

Ishetoo too good for rivals?

Given the weakness of opposition, it looks very difficult to oppose Ishetoo in Friday's sprint handicap at Haydock (20:50).

The in-form speedster escapes a penalty for his success in an apprentice event at Catterick last time out and due to go up 12lb after this contest, it is no surprise to see his trainer turn him out so quickly. The manner of that recent success, where he won by four lengths, was of an improving sprinter and it is arguable he could still have landed this contest off his revised mark.

Mandurah looks the obvious one to take advantage should the likely short-price favourite fail to give his best. David Nicholls' sprinter has a consistent profile and has already won a couple of races this season. Although not disgraced when stepped up in trip last time, this drop back to the minimum distance should bring out the best of him and if running up to his best, should give the favourite most to do.

Another with a consistent profile is the filly Princess Ellis. She burnt herself out last time at Carlisle, where she showed plenty of pace before fading close home. If ridden with slightly more restraint, she certainly has the form in the book to give a good account of herself and the return of a professional jockey on her back will please her supporters.

Two horses who need to put poor runs behind them last time out are Windjammer, who let down supporters when looking for a hat-trick at Newmarket in May, and Russian Silk, who ran no sort of race on her return to action at Beverley recently.

Should either be able to get back to the sort of form they showed last year, they could both run big races here with the latter likely to be the better value in the market.

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