Goodwood Racing Tips: Come Together can strike on handicap debut

Adam Houghton outlines the Timeform view on Friday's card at Goodwood

Timeform's Adam Houghton highlights a Nap, Next Best and Each-Way selection at Goodwood on Friday.

"...it was hard not to be impressed by the way Come Together picked up in a steadily-run race, recording a notably fast closing sectional."

NAP

Goodwood - 14:25 - Back Come Together

No. 2 (5)

Come Together (Ire)

Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 9lbs
OR: 85

Come Together showed improved form to get off the mark on his final two-year-old start at Wolverhampton in November, asserting near the line to land the spoils by half a length.

That appeals as solid form - the runner-up won his next start over the same course and distance - and it was hard not to be impressed by the way Come Together picked up in a steadily-run race, recording a notably fast closing sectional.

The son of Gleneagles now makes the switch to handicaps and his potential for more improvement after just three starts suggests an opening BHA mark of 85 won't prove his limit for Ralph Beckett, who has his team in red-hot form (87% of horses running to form).

NEXT BEST

Goodwood - 16:10 - Back Gregory

No. 4 (4)

Gregory

Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Robert Havlin
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 2lbs
OR: -

Gregory had three previous winners behind him when making a successful debut at Haydock last month, only winning by a length and three-quarters but looking value for extra having been caught further back than ideal in a steadily-run race.

That was a hugely promising start to his career and there should be lots more to come from him with the experience under his belt.

A half-brother to last year's winner of this listed heat, Lionel, Gregory is a smart colt in the making and should be able to take the step up grade in his stride to maintain his unbeaten record en route to bigger and better things.

EACH-WAY

Goodwood - 15:35 - Back Ropey Guest

No. 4 (4)

Ropey Guest

Trainer: George Margarson
Jockey: Tom Queally
Age: 6
Weight: 9st 6lbs
OR: 88

Ropey Guest arrives here on a losing run stretching back to September 2021, but he proved himself at least as good as ever when hitting the frame in a series of valuable handicaps in 2022, notably filling the runner-up spot in both the Buckingham Palace Stakes and Bunbury Cup.

He has now dropped to a BHA mark of 88 - lower than at any stage last season - so this looks a good opportunity for him to gain a deserved win if stripping fitter with his return in the Victoria Cup at Ascot under his belt.

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