Golden Mile Handicap: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

TF Tips
30 July 2020

Timeform bring you their comprehensive runner guide to the Golden Mile on Friday

Join

Twitter

Facebook

View the Betslip

Timeform bring you their comprehensive runner-by-runner guide to Friday's Golden Mile Handicap and pick out their 1-2-3...

"...big player in search of hat-trick..."

Timeform on Prompting

1. Urban icon (Richard Hannon/Pat Dobbs)
Unbeaten at 2 yrs and largely consistent faced with some stiff tasks last term. Back to winning ways in AW listed event (7f) in March and not disgraced since. Yet, this a tough handicap debut.

2. Vale Of Kent (Mark Johnston/Joe Fanning)
Landed the Bunbury Cup prior to a fine second this race 12 months ago. Mixed bag so far this campaign, well held in International Handicap (7f) at Ascot latest but no surprise to see him bounce back.

3. Sir Busker (William Knight/Oisin Murphy)
Improving handicapper who made it three from his last five when weaving through to lead late in the Silver Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. Smashing second in Bunbury Cup followed and his record here is appealing.

4. Blown By Wind (Mark Johnston/ Patrick McDonald)
Better than ever this term, winning at Newmarket (7f) in June and back to that level when runner-up at that venue later that month. Blew the start last time though, and draw in 14 not ideal here.

5. Bless Him (David Simcock/Tom Marquand)
Rounded off 2019 with handicap wins but hasn't looked up to listed/pattern company so far this term. Worth noting his best efforts have come over a straight mile.

6. Montatham (William Haggas/Jim Crowley)
Upwardly mobile sort who progressed again to make it two wins from last three starts at Sandown (1m) 26 days ago, albeit all out to hold on. Handicapper applies more pressure but that may not be his limit.

7. Afaak (Charlie Hills/Dane O'Neill)
2019 Royal Hunt Cup winner. Not disgraced in this year's renewal of that race on his reappearance and not as bad as bare result in John Smith's Cup latest. Blinkers now enlisted.

8. Cardsharp (Mark Johnston/William Buick)
Given a chance by the assessor and latest third in the International Stakes at Ascot was a big step in the right direction. On a good mark on that evidence but a well-run 7f has suited best previously.

9. Willie John (Roger Varian/Andrea Atzeni)
Lightly-race type who ran best race when runner-up in 1¼m listed event here last May. Disappointing both subsequent starts in 2019 but best not judged on his return effort in the Hunt Cup on return.

10. Zwayyan (Andrew Balding/Silvestre De Sousa)
Largely held his form well after winning on reappearance last season. Similarly ran well when fourth in Coral Challenge (1m) on return but present mark leaves him vulnerable in a race like this.

11. Fox Premier (Andrew Balding/Rob Hornby)
Generally progressive in 2019, second in strong 9.9f handicap at this meeting on final outing. Seemed amiss at Royal Ascot on comeback but can't be written off now tongue tied.

12. Cliffs Of Capri (Jamie Osbourne/Dougie Costello)
Landed final start in Meydan (1m, blinkered) and continued good work back in Britain, hitting frame all three starts in competitive big-field handicaps at 7f. Mark has crept up but respected nevertheless.

13. Baltic Baron (David O'Meara/Jason Watson)
Only a maiden win in France to his name but he has posted plenty of decent efforts in very competitive 1m handicaps since joining this yard. Too free in John Smith's Cup latest but this more suitable.

14. Almufti (Hugo Palmer/David Egan)
All three career victories have come on AW but he excelled when fourth in Silver Hunt Cup (1m) two starts back, impressing with how he travelled. Not disgraced latest but finishing effort was a shade tame.

15. Prompting (David O'Meara/Harry Bently)

Rapidly improving for new yard, confirming promise of his Ayr victory with a comfortable success at York (7f) six days ago. Cracking draw to work from and big player in search of hat-trick back at 1m.

On Betting.Betfair – Betslip

You can bet without leaving Betting.Betfair with our on-site betslip for Exchange markets. You'll see the Exchange back and lay prices at the end of articles - simply login and place your bets as you would do on the main Exchange site.

GET EXTRA PLACES ON RACING EVERY DAY

The Betfair Sportsbook pays extra places on selected races every day. T&Cs apply.

Recommended bets

Timeform's Golden Mile Analyst Verdict:
PROMPTING boasts a positive profile and has made big strides forward since joining David O'Meara this summer, supplementing his Ayr victory in no uncertain terms at York last weekend. A well-bred sort, he's open to further improvement and is fancied to go well in the hat-trick bid. Last year's runner-up Vale of Kent and progressive pair Sir Busker and Montatham head up the dangers.

1. Prompting
2. Vale Of Kent
3. Sir Busker