5.40pm Goodwood Tips & Betting Preview 27/08/2017

Five furlong races are always a spectacle at Goodwood with the first few furlongs all downhill. Our expert tip and runner by runner preview for the final Goodwood race on Sunday are below.

IN SUMMARY: THE BIG SHORT is one of the least exposed in this line-up. He has plenty of natural speed and the more the ground dries out the better for him. He should be right up in the firing line from the off and on this sharp track, he can maintain that gallop all the way to the line. If they go too hard in front then Roundabout Magic may be the one to pick up the pieces. Another of the three-year-old brigade, he ran his best race on turf at Brighton so should find this track to his liking. Prominna and Operative are others who should be in the battle for the places.

1 FUJIN – Better on the all weather, with a record of just 1/20 on turf. That has resulted in a lower mark which he almost cashed in on at Beverley last time out. The winner of that Beverley race was scoring for the third time in four starts so there is no disgrace in defeat by a horse in such flying form. Holds a solid each way chance. Entered at Chester on Saturday.

2 OPERATIVE – A winner just the once from sixteen career starts, landing a Redcar race on his first start after being gelded. Twice runner-up of late under very different conditions, that seems to be his issue. Five and six furlongs both come alike as do most grounds but no matter the combination, he simply struggles to get his head in front.

3 ZIPEDEEDODAH – Not quite the same horse on turf as he is on the all weather but he has shown solid form on grass this season. He won at Lingfield and was second at Brighton which give hope that this track won’t be any problem for him but he needs a little more in such a deep field.

4 POUR LA VICTOIRE – Enjoys his racing on switchback tracks, all six of his turf wins coming on them. He showed a return to form at Brighton earlier in the month but was bitterly disappointing at this track on Friday. Well enough treated to make an impression but is tough to support just two days after a poor run.

5 ARCHIMEDES – Won a five runner event on very quick ground at Bath in July, struggling twice since the handicapper has had his say. Not the easiest to win with, this looks a bit too competitive for him and his best form has been on uphill tracks.

6 HER TERMS – Failed to get her head in front for William Haggas last season, she makes her debut for Clive Cox here. She ran consistently well in maidens but struggled to make any impression the sole time she ran in a handicap. That leaves her with enough to prove on her seasonal debut to leave her alone.

7 ROUNDABOUT MAGIC – 0/6 on turf but he did show up well at Brighton in April. He has plenty of natural speed and a big field should give him a nice tow into the contest which is going to suit his pounce late style. He hasn’t been seen since May so his fitness has to be taken on trust, but he is an interesting each way contender nonetheless.

8 FLOWING CLARETS – Has shown solid form at Lingfield this season in similar races to this. She was a little outclassed when tried at a higher level last time, with a stiff track not playing to her strengths either. This track will suit her better but her very best efforts have come with a little more cut in the ground than she is going to get here.

9 CAPTAIN RYAN – All five turf wins have come at Bath which is more of an uphill five furlongs, but he has run well at both Lingfield and Brighton so this track shouldn’t be an issue. The more the ground dries out the better for him with firm ground suiting him well. Is at a workable level at his best and should be in the mix.

10 THE BIG SHORT – Coped well with the undulations at Leicester when winning there in June. He showed plenty of speed to get on the sharp end that day and never looked like coming back. This surface should suit and the downhill track is going to compliment his early speed. A three year old from the Charlie Hills yard, he should be open to more improvement and as such looks a huge player.

11 HARRISON STICKLE – Scored on quick ground at Bath in 2015, he has been seen only five times since. He has shown decent form twice this season at the same track but has finished last both starts since when running elsewhere. That has to be a concern once more, he is best watched until returning to Bath.

12 DR DORO – Has shown nothing in four starts for her current yard, she has the hood she usually wears removed here. She has slipped twenty pounds down the weights in those four runs so she will surely find her level soon but she is tough to suggest as a likely winner.

13 PROMINNA – Lightly raced for a seven year old, he has been in respectable form so far this season, finishing third three times in his five starts. He requires a little more if he is to get his head in front at this level but he may run into a place given a sufficient pace for him to settle off.

14 ASK THE GURU – Arrives in good form having won his last two starts but they were both much lesser contests than this one. Has plenty of decent form at Brighton so one would think that this track would suit but his two starts at Goodwood have been well below par which has to be a significant concern.

15 DEER SONG – Yet to get his head in front from thirty five starts. The closest he has got was at this track over six furlongs but he has failed to cash in on easier opportunities than this in the past so looks an unlikely winner.

16 MOLLY JONES – Saves her best form for Bath and from a couple of pounds out the handicap here, she is unlikely to be winning elsewhere now, competing at a higher level than usual.