4.35pm Goodwood Tips & Betting Preview 20/05/2016

IN SUMMARY: RUWAIYAN (5/1) is yet to build on his quite impressive win in this race a year ago and this will be the first time he has raced without headgear since 2013. However, he ought to find this easier than the major handicaps/Listed events he has contested on his last few outings, has slipped back down to an attractive mark and gets the nod in the hope he’s fully revved up after an absence. Recent Newbury winner Clear Spring is effectively 1lb ahead of the handicapper under a penalty here but Englishman, who was a disappointing favourite behind John Spearing’s horse last time, arguably has more scope to progress if he can bounce back quickly. Huntsmans Close has something to prove but ran with credit over C&D in the Stewards’ Cup over C&D last summer.

1 Ruwaiyan – Not disgraced in a couple of major handicaps last year and now just 1lb higher than when winning the 2015 renewal of this race in fine style; had the benefit of a recent outing under his belt that time and goes without his usual cheekpieces today but still needs to be taken very seriously.

2 Clear Spring – Soundly beaten on seasonal debut but fared much better when causing 25/1 surprise at Newbury (6f, good to soft) a week ago; also has form over C&D and on quicker ground, and is effectively only 4lb higher under his penalty (due to go up 5lb); no surprise if he goes well again.

3 Huntsmans Close – Ended light 2015 campaign with disappointing performance last August and made low-key return to action when finishing in the ruck at Newmarket this month; needs to up his game but was only beaten about 2.5l in the Stewards’ Cup over C&D last summer and is now 2lb lower.

4 Shared Equity – Non-runner

5 Go Far – Placed in the Stewards’ Cup consolation race over C&D last summer and subsequently landed the Ayr Bronze Cup (6f, good); won’t be far away of matching that sort of form but was down the field on the AW at Wolverhampton when last seen in December and has little margin for error off current mark.

6 Charles Molson – Never dangerous behind Clear Spring on seasonal debut a week ago but was generally progressive last season and is now only 1lb higher than when second in big-field event at Ascot (6f, good to soft); further improvement possible this year if his recent outing did him good.

7 Seeking Magic – Fully exposed 8yo who has been a regular in valuable handicaps in recent years; in good form on the AW in last few months of 2015 and made very pleasing return to action when close second to Englishman at Newmarket (6f, good) this month, but subsequent 3lb rise probably enough to leave him vulnerable.

8 Englishman – Two wins already this turf season, more recently when comfortably getting the better of Seeking Magic at Newmarket (6f, good); disappointing favourite in Newbury event won but Clear Spring a week ago but remains open to further improvement if able to put that run behind him.

myracing Forecast Prices: 3/1 Clear Spring, 4/1 Seeking Magic, 9/2 Ruwaiyan, 9/2 Englishman, 6/1 Huntsmans Close, 10/1 Go Far, Charles Molson