Goodwood Betting: 4.20 Foundation Stakes (Listed)

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 23 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

The Timeform preview returns! They're looking at the seven-runner Foundation Stakes where Henry Cecil's Many Volumes is likely to go off favourite...

This is a competitive-looking contest for three-year-olds and older, with the seven entrants having been campaigned in a variety of different ways.

Henry Cecil fields two runners, Many Volumes and Tranquil Tiger, both of whom are owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah. The former was below form when fourth in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton last time, but has previously been successful at this level already in 2008, finding plenty in front when beating the smart Bushman by three lengths at Sandown on his fifth start in July.

Tranquil Tiger was a respectable fifth to Sixties Icon over 12 furlongs at this course last time when ridden more patiently than usual. He is a three-time winner at this level, although he hasn't run over today's ten furlong trip since last June. He will have no concerns with the ground and should give another good account.

Purple Moon posted a career-best effort when a very good second to Efficient in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on his final start last season. He had previously been successful in a listed race at Goodwood before taking the Ebor at York by three-quarters of a length from Honolulu. Purple Moon makes his seasonal debut today and is probably best watched given the length of his absence and having never won at ten furlongs.

Saeed Bin Suroor has a superb record in this race, having won it four times in the past six years and is represented today by Meydan City, at $11.7m the second highest-priced yearling ever sold at public auction. He had shown progressive form in three starts until below form when contesting the Great Voltiguer Stakes over 12 furlongs at this course last time. He appeared not to stay that day, having travelled best to three furlongs out and looks well worth another chance at this shorter distance.

Mr Aviator has been in good form this season, winning three of his seven starts. Those victories included handicaps at Kempton and Lingfield as well as a career-best in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot. The two former wins both came at ten furlongs.

Walter Swinburn's Pinpoint has been mostly plying his trade back in handicaps this term. He was a creditable sixth of 16 to Ask The Butler at Sandown last time and had previously contested a heritage handicap over this course and distance at the Glorious Goodwood Meeting, where he finished second to Gulf Express.

One who needs to bounce back to form is Hearthstead Maison, who has been below form since finishing four lengths third to Passage of Time in a similar event to this at Newbury in July.