Timeform Daily: Wednesday 20th May, 4:00, Goodwood

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 20 May 2009 / Leave a Comment

Timeform run the rule over the Sussex Stayers Stakes (Handicap) (4).

Cleaver confirmed he stays this far when he was third at Newbury on his reappearance and he usually runs his race. He is, however, not that keen on getting his head in front and has only one win to his name since 2006.

Kayf Aramis was much improved over hurdles in 2009, including when winning the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham, and he sluiced up on his return to the Flat at York last week. His penalty for that win is likely to prove an irrelevance if he's in the same heart.

American Spin was off for over two years after his debut but returned with an easy win at Kempton in January. He has put in sound efforts in handicaps since, but is returning from a three-month break here and is unproven over this trip.

Takafu won at Warwick and Sandown in 2007, the latter victory coming from a higher mark than he races off here. He has spent nineteen months on the sidelines, however, and must have had his problems.

Look To This Day made a winning handicap bow at Brighton last August but she has been unable to cope with higher marks since. Others make more appeal at these weights, even though this longer trip should suit her.
Ned Ludd appears well treated on his form early last season, but he has been in the doldrums over hurdles of late and fared no better when he was returned to the Flat last month.

Epsom Salts was much improved at the back end of 2008, winning three times and finishing runner-up on his last three starts. He didn't enjoy the run of the race when he was well held on his return, and still has to prove he is as effective on turf.

Isabelonabicycle displayed plenty of tenacity when scoring at Folkestone last month, but she didn't help herself by racing too freely when only third in a small field at Warwick since. She remains lightly raced and her stable are in good form.

Sweetheart was winless but did well over hurdles in 2008/09 nonetheless; she was in the frame twice in graded events and remains relatively unexposed granted this sort of test on the Flat. She could be well handicapped here.

Bold Adventure is not the most straightforward but was in grand form on the all-weather in the early months of the year. He won twice and was second twice, but has been unable to land a blow in both runs since.

Calculating is basically ungenuine, but took advantage of a declining mark when winning at Southwell in March. He looks likely to struggle from out of the handicap in this race though. (Calculating came third at Nottingham on Tuesday)