Goodwood 17:45 5f Handicap 29th July 2010

OSIRIS WAY
Loves it here; Was successful off this mark here in 2008 and won here on debut again this year. Form tailed off a bit since then but no reason he can't bounce back at a track he enjoys. Capable if at his best.

BAJAN TRYST
Fair AW performer who hasn't put his best foot forward yet when it comes to the turf. Showed improved form to take third over in Ireland on latest outing though and jockey/trainer have excellent strike rate. EW claims.

MATSUNOSUKE
Enjoyed a very good start to life with his new connections on Sunday when finishing second at Ascot in hot looking handicap. On very low mark for his ability but remains to be seen if he can follow up just four days later.

COURAGEOUS
Has ran in some tough races so far this term and first-time visor seemed to work wonders when last seen (fourth after leading until inside final furlong). Very much of interest now dropped to 5f off a mark he can exploit.

PISCEAN
Another who seems to come alive at this track and won off 1lb higher here last year. Very much an in and out performer though and hard to catch on a going day. More than capable if showing true colours.

CRIMEA
Things not going his way at present after picking up claiming event with ease three starts back. Hard to see him collecting this after finishing last of ten in weaker event eight days ago.

TITUS ANDRONICUS
Making seasonal debut here after a busy 3yo campaign. Fair level of form to his name and should be plenty of improvement to come, but hard to envisage him winning this against fitter opponents.

MEDICI TIME
Comes into this on a stiff mark after two victories already this year to his name. Got left behind a bit at Newmarket on latest start and can't afford to do that here. In better form than most though and respected.

HAMOODY
Hasn't built upon the potential he showed at two and often proves frustrating to follow. Argument can be made that best two runs ever have been here though and big price off this mark if course revives his interest.

PIAZZA SAN PIETRO
Only modest form to his name before two latest wins have shown some improvement to land better races. Needs to be at the top of his game though to take this just three days after last win, although warrants respect at present.

INDIAN TRAIL
Jockey/trainer combo with plenty of success here down the years and this grand campaigner back to a mark 1lb lower than when taking Epsom Dash last year. Decent fourth in this last term off 7lbs higher; Chances.

LOST IN PARIS
Things haven't gone his way at Chester and Epsom on last two starts since winning at Musselburgh in June. Ryan Moore booking obviously eye-catching and cheekpieces added to aid cause further; likely to be in the mix.

FEELIN FOXY
Pretty consistent sort who gets little help from the handicapper as a result. Really good second in this last season (albeit off 4lbs lower), although he was in better form then. Hard to see him winning but could be thereabouts.

ROCKER
Blown out of the water in this last year when fancied but comes here on a 5lbs lower mark this time around. Claimer takes another 7lbs off but form is somewhat hit and miss and tough to see him make an impact against these.

BERBICE
No win on turf since taking his maiden here back in 2007 and looks very much like making up the numbers once again today. Has been running over further than this and likely to be taken off his feet in against speedsters.

LA CAPRIOSA
Is now on her highest ever mark and has struggled in some events way below this standard on last two starts. Another who it's tough to see making any impact in against some of these. Best watched.

MYTHICAL BLUE
Won his only start here last year under Ryan Moore and back down to mark 2lbs below that now. Best victory to date though has come in class 5 event and big leap of improvement needed on what he has achieved so far.

HIGHLAND HARVEST
Another who ran in this last term when a decent seventh off 5lbs higher. Now sits 2lbs out of the handicap here today though and was way down the field on latest start. Shouldn't be troubling the judge.


SUMMARY

A tricky contest here for the first of four big field sprint handicaps at this meeting, culminating in the Steward’s Cup on Saturday. It looks like there will be plenty of speedy types who like to burst from the gate and that could potentially play into the hands of Indian Trail. He has never been one to rely on and often needs things to fall just right, but he is now back on a mark below his last winning one for the first time since that victory at Epsom last June and the booking of Fallon catches the eye. He loves these quick, downhill courses and his trainer has won four of the last ten runnings of this race; including Continent three years ago, who was ten at the time (same as Indian Trail today). With the ground drying out it could be worth chancing he has a going day, as he has looked unlucky a few times this season. Of the remainder, Lost In Paris should be feared, as should course specialists Osiris Way and Piscean. But it’s Courageous who could prove the one to follow now he drops down to five furlongs for the first time in his career. The Brain Smart gelding has shown glimpses of his talent already this season and has been competing against some tough opposition. The visor made a real impact last time at York where he faded inside the last half furlong after leading all the way over six. So this brisk five should suit and his mark of 86 looks like one he is more than capable of winning off. Both he and Indian Trail could be worth risking in what looks a tight affair.


SELECTIONS (No industry prices available; so current Betfair prices used)

Indian Trail 1pt win @ 9/1
Courageous 1pt win @ 16/1