Goodwood 1.50

 

This has become something of a benefit race and indeed a benefit Meeting for the Mark Johnston team and it's not rocket science to see why. 

 

The Course favours prominent runners and Johnstons are super fit, race tuned and invariably aimed at getting at or near the front and then dictating the pace.

 

The nature of the Track means that the far rail is always the place to be on the round course and whilst you can come from the back you need a lot of luck in running, and probably more hard luck in running stories here than anywhere else.

 

Everything in terms of camber slips away from the Stands side so on the round Course position is vital.

 

Johnston runs 3 and it's impossible to leave out MAYDANNY  a Course and Distance winner, drawn in Stall 5. The horse is off a rising mark but will no doubt have been targeted at the race. Stable Companion SKY DEFENDER is one we've done a few times and I think you can ignore recent form figures. Runner Up in this race last year, a handicap mark that's just fallen below 100 at just the right time and surely primed to run a big race. Ticks every box with Franny Norton in the saddle.

 

Of the remainder may have claims but one that jumps off the page a little at a nice price is Andrew Baldings JOHNNY DRAMA , drawn 9 with SDS in the saddle, this one also has some solid Course form and likely primes for this being the seasonal objective. Will need to navigate a path but one I can see outrunning Odds.