3.10pm Goodwood Tips & Betting Preview 27/05/2017

The fact that BLESS HIM is out of the weights isn’t of concern as he looks potentially well treated for a big run under three pound claimer Aaron Jones. Winning at the second attempt at Chelmsford after a promising debut, he was far from disgraced on handicap debut when third in a competitive race at Doncaster earlier this month, upsides the eventual first and second until the final furlong where he gradually weakened. He drops back to seven furlongs for this run which makes sense and the hood goes on to try and help him settle better, which looks likely to be a combination that can see him knock up a second career victory. David Simcock’s yard continue in good form with five winners from their last twenty-six and with conditions to suit, he looks likely to take this contest.

Making it two wins from three starts, Horroob remains with potential for Roger Varian and seven pound claimer David Egan can help get the best out of him. Winning a maiden on his return from a lengthy absence, he made his handicap debut earlier this month where he ran on strongly late in the piece, to take a determined victory. He’s been raised 4lb as a result but he remains open to progress and he’s unexposed on turf, with the switch possible to draw out further improvement from him. He finished third on debut in similar conditions so that is of no concern and he’d have to be considered a main player once again.

Another last time out winner, Aardwolf will be hoping for victory number four and although he’s perhaps more exposed than his rivals, he will be looking to put that experience to good use under Joe Fanning. He gained that last time out success at Doncaster 21 days ago, setting a steady pace out in front before kicking away three furlongs from home, holding on gamely despite the challenge of a number of rivals. He goes up 4lb and has a high draw here which does make things tougher though, with no guarantee he’ll get a soft lead in this which he likely needs. He should to be on the premises as he’s consistent in the main, but there would have to be a suspicion he’ll use up too much energy getting to the front.

Hollie Doyle has a seventeen percent strike rate from her last twenty-three runners and will be hoping for another success aboard Medahim in the colours of Qatar Racing for Richard Hannon. He won on debut in the style of a useful horse back in December and backed up that effort on handicap debut when narrowly denied at Wolverhampton last month. He remained on the same mark for his turf debut at Sandown, where he was in touch up until three furlongs from home before he faded out of things tamely, which was a strange effort. He’s surely capable of better as a 360,000gns purchase for top connections and he wouldn’t be one to underestimate, as a mark of 91 could see him very dangerous if bouncing back today on his second turf start. Hollie Doyle takes off a useful three pounds and is well worth her claim, so he’s one to pay close attention to in the betting.

The final mention goes to John Gosden’s Hyde Park, who runs in the colours of Khalid Abdullah and will have last season’s champion apprentice Josephine Gordon taking the ride. He gained his first victory on his final start of last season, making all under Frankie Dettori in impressive style, shooting clear when asked under hands and heels. He returns from a 218 day absence on handicap debut, with a mark of 93 not particularly harsh if he’s fully fit and raring to go. The betting will be useful to gauge his fitness but he’s a good each way price and not one to take lightly for top connections.