Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday May 5

The recent wet spell and the soft ground conditions at Goodwood mean stamina is going to be at a premium, which should really suit Taikoo (15:30), a mudlover who's proven over further than the mile-and-three-quarter trip he encounters today. In fact, Hughie Morrison's gelding has won over as far as 17.5f in similar going at Ayr, so today's test shouldn't pose any problem at all. Taikoo has run well on both starts on the fibresand surface at Southwell this year, latterly showing himself better than ever in a good staying handicap for the track, and he makes plenty of appeal in a race where everything looks in his favour.

At Newmarket it's all about the 3-y-os, but the SmartPlay at HQ on 2000 Guineas day comes in the mile handicap (17:30) rather than the classic over the same trip. The selection, Archbishop, does however have the makings of a potential Group winner down the line, so the fact that he's able to run from a BHA mark of just 88 means he's very much one to back. Brian Meehan's colt created a good impression at two, beating Farraaj (now Timeform rated 110) and Surfer (103) in a maiden at Sandown on his debut and then shaping much better than the bare result when sixth in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York, looking the best horse for a long way. A most-imposing sort physically, he's expected to have improved significantly over the winter and ticks all the right boxes.

The final selection comes at Thirsk, where Noodles Blue Boy makes plenty of appeal in what looks a competitive sprint handicap to finish the card (18:05). Noodles Blue Boy shaped very well when sixth at Doncaster on his reappearance, challenging from two furlongs out and fading only late in the day, as if in need of the run. He's been dropped another couple of pounds for that, putting him on a BHA rating of 77, and it's worth remembering that he was going close from marks in the mid-80s once up and running last summer.

Timeform SmartPlays
Back Taikoo @ 5.24/1 in the 15:30 at Goodwood
Back Archbishop @ 4.57/2 in the 17:30 at Newmarket
Back Noodles Blue Boy @ 7.06/1 in the 18:05 at Thirsk

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