Goodwood 5.20
By Irish Racing (MG)
MICHAEL - Goodwood 5.20 Handicap - Class 3 - 7 furlongs - 17 run - Soft
The fact that this is a 7 furlongs Course with a right hand bend with an uphill climb out of the Stalls needs to be understood in the context of the form of many of these straight Course 7 furlong specialists, add in the soft conditions and it opens up some intriguing opportunities.
Rhoscolyn looks the one to beat and a win saver may be a sensible side bet but it's got some fairly unexposed rivals and one who is exposed who jumped off the page at me.
At the top end of the market with Rhoscolyn are the likes of Love De vega who may not appreciate the rain, Urban Sprawl also would prefer better going, I would rate Dark Thirty for the Hannon team and Harry Magnus as really significant dangers who were very hard to leave out off a short list of 6-7 of the 17 declared runners. If any of the selections did not run they could be substituted in that order if you wish. I wouldn't be surprised to see Physique, a scopey 3 year old with good Course experience run a big race at nice odds and at the big priced end of the market don't completely rule out Wobwobwob who has plenty of soft ground form running very well too.
I'm most keen though on CLASSIC who is a soft ground winner who gets a 2lbs penalty for a win last time with a wide draw that may not be a bad place to be and DARKNESS who has been a 3 time runner up this season including on soft ground and who won at a mile last time and who also seems quite leniently treated with just 3 lbs more to carry.
For some shrapnel to enhanced places I like FARASI LANE who may not be that well handicapped but who has caught my eye a few times and especially the seemingly exposed ISLA KAI. ISLA KAI drops back to 7 furlongs and the proven stamina will be a massive asset here, it has won the last twice it encountered "soft" ground off marks of 78 and 90 and running off 90 here I really think is a bit overpriced and overlooked.
Tips (1) Classic / (2) Darkness (3) Isla Kai (4) Farasi Lane