Artemis Goodwood Cup (Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £56,770
Picks: Age Of Aquarius (win),Purple Moon (each/way)
Kite Wood: Only just beaten in St Ledger last year and continued in same vein when winning Prix Vietcommesse Viger in good style on seasonal debut; Failed to stay in Gold Cup and even though he’s better than that and will like this trip, might have it tough under a penalty.
Age Of Aquarius: Has made up into top stayer this season with 3 excellent runs behind Harbinger, Profound Beauty and Rite Of Passage in Gold Cup respectively; Only went down by a head in strong renewal last time and should take all the beating.
Carraciola: Truly amazing horse who ran creditably at Royal Ascot (had won before finishing fourth here in 2009) but might find one or two too good here again.
Electrolysi on 2m listed race at Ascot in 2009 and showed further improvement when third to Illustrious Blue in Sagaro Stakes there in April; Needs more though as this is shaping up like a good race.
Free Agent: Although he never quite went on from his 2 year old promise, he shaped like a stayer when showing decent form last year; Improved on second start back, beating Drunken Sailor in listed handicap over 1¾m at York; Has it all to do in tougher contest even though he should like the extra 2f.
Illustrious Blue: Admirable campaigner who has excellent record at Goodwood (6 wins here) and improved for first try over this trip when winning Sagaro Stakes at Ascot; That form decent but has seemingly not improved on those efforts based on his last 2 runs.
Kid Charlemagne: Jumper who made a nice enough debut here and ran creditably enough considering only second flat start when seventh in Queen Alexandra last time; However, out of depth here.
Purple Moon: Holds some top class form over all trips in all continents, and arguably best horse in field; Retains all ability even after absence, having come a valiant third in Gold Cup last time; Didn’t stay full trip that day so obvious chance of being even more competitive.
Tactic: Has found an amazing amount of improvement this season, producing one of most impressive performances of season when smashing listed field by 14 lengths and then winning Curragh Cup by 2 lengths; Extra 2 furlongs no problem and major contender.
The Betchworth Kid: Useful and consistent performer for Michael Bell in 2009 and present trainer since; Gets on as well as ever with Hayley Turner but presumably going to need this run and could find it too tough anyway.
Wajiir: Progressed into really useful stayer for Elle Leouche last season and made satisfactory Godolphin debut when third in Yorkshire Cup; Well beaten in Hardwicke and while useful, Kite Wood looks to be better Godolphin horse.
VERDICT: A decent looking renewal where it’s very hard to split Tactic and AGE OF AQAURIUS but the latter was unlucky to run into 3 top class horses this season and holds the stronger form, so gets the vote. PURPLE MOON can challenge for a place over a trip that should suit.
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