2.25 Goodwood Tips & Betting Preview 05/08/2017

A smart field lined up chasing a first prize of £62,250 in an ultra competitive handicap live on ITV Racing. Our expert tip and runner by runner guide to the 2.25pm at Glorious Goodwood is below.

IN SUMMARY: Time will show that trying to give Mount Moriah almost a stone last time was an impossible task for GETBACK IN PARIS, his conqueror running in the Group 3 at 3.00pm today. Richard Hughes’ charge has progressed well this season, winning over this course and distance on good to soft suggesting ideal conditions for him to go in again. Felix Mendelssohn and Platitude would be contenders if they are able to rediscover their very best, while Sir Chauvelin has done nothing but improve all season and may yet to capable of better still.

1 SOLDIER IN ACTION – A winner from seven pounds lower on Derby Day, he again showed himself in good heart when runner up in the Old Newton Cup. He has won on soft but from a mark of 80, the best of his form all coming on a sounder surface. Likely to run his usual honest race but conditions may get the better of him.

2 PLATITUDE – Winner of the March Stakes over this course and distance last August, he has been a little below par in a pair of starts in 2017. Both career wins have come on good to firm, but he handles cut in the ground fine, would be an each way player if he is able to return to his best.

3 ARCH VILLAIN – Has been absent for a year since winning an Ascot handicap over two miles. He scored at Lingfield in January 2016 on a return from a twenty-one month break so he has the ability to go fresh, for all that that was at a significantly lower level. He has claimed a course and distance handicap in the past so the track is no concern, but at this level he has to be taken on.

4 MAINSTREAM – From one arch villain to another! While consistent enough, he has always given far less than looks likely in the finish, travelling strongly before dogging the issue under pressure. If there is sufficient pace to track, he may well pick up the pieces to get into the places once more, but he is hard to support as a win proposition.

5 CARNTOP – Another who has his own ideas about the game, he was given a superb ride by Pat Dobbs to finish third behind Soldier In Action on Derby Day. He was again behind that rival at Haydock last time and while the new trip may help his extreme hold up style, he is difficult to support with full confidence.

6 SIR CHAUVELIN – In the form of his life at present, sixth in the ultra competitive Northumberland Plate over two miles before runner up to Hardwicke third Chemical Charge at Musselburgh when facing an impossible task at the weights. Cut in the ground is no issue for him, looks an each way player at a solid price.

7 SAIGON CITY – Strong stayer, he hasn’t been seen since winning comprehensively over this trip at Newmarket in May. The ground was soft on that occasion so connections will be hoping the ground doesn’t dry out too much now. He is five pounds higher up the weights in a deeper contest, but he may not be done improving just yet.

8 CLEONTE – Beaten out of sight on both runs in this country for Andrew Balding. Has run well over similar trips to this on soft ground in France so the ability is there if the first time cheekpieces have the desired effect. Possibly still a few pounds too high in the weights even if the headgear works so is taken on.

9 JAAMEH – Showed considerable improvement at the start of the season for being gelded, landing back to back handicaps over this trip. Well beaten twice since, in the Northumberland Plate and then on soft ground so despite Mark Johnston’s runners always needing respect at Goodwood, he is passed over.

10 BLAKENEY POINT – Fourth in a pair of competitive handicaps this season, firstly over course and distance and then at Haydock in the Old Newton Cup. Slower ground shouldn’t cause him any issues but he is going to have to find improvement from somewhere off the same mark again if he is going to do better than add another fourth to his credit.

11 MY REWARD – Stays further than this and acts on soft ground so he has every chance of improving on his seventh in this contest from 2016 from two pounds lower. Beat Sir Chauvelin at Ripon earlier this season and is now two pounds better off. A close fifth in the Northumberland Plate last time, his chance will come if this turns into a war of attrition.

12 FELIX MENDELSSOHN – Tricky customer to win with, just a maiden triumph in 2014 to his credit. Looks to have slipped to a competitive mark, staying on well over a quarter mile shorter at The Curragh last time into third from the same perch. Needs things to fall right for him to get his head in front, has an each way squeak.

13 SHRAAOH – Behind Soldier In Action on both starts in 2017, connections will be pinning their hopes on first time cheekpieces proving the oracle. Has run just once on soft ground when only beating one home at Royal Ascot in 2016, that leaves him with plenty to prove on the prevailing conditions given his position in the market.

14 GETBACK IN PARIS – Steadily progressive this season, winning from a three pound lower mark over course and distance in June. He found himself outpaced on quicker ground last time when behind the smart Mount Moriah who runs in the following Group 3 Gordon Stakes. Only beaten four lengths trying to give that rival a stone was a smart effort and given no issues with track or ground, he can continue his progression by landing this prize.