Windflower March Stakes 2010

2.30 Goodwood
Windflower March Stakes (Listed) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £22,708 - 6 run

Pick: Wajir (win)

Bergo: Best known as very useful novice chaser, winning 4 on bounce before highly respectable fourth in Maghull Novice’s Chase; Gained good form on flat though, winning competitive renewal of Queen Alexandra Stakes last time; Holds speed to play a part here and yard won this last year but ground a definite concern.

Drunken Salior: Now a solid performer for Luca Cumani team, winning twice in Dubai last winter and running well upped in trip this season, coming second in Listed York handicap and doing well to come second to Free Agent giving 12lbs in weight; That rival absent but will take the beating none the less.

Golden Sword: Brave front runner for the Ballydoyle team last year in both English and Irish Derby and King George, and ran to similar level when third in Dubai Group 2 race; Porgess has been slow since them but looked back on right road when fourth in 1m5f Newbury Group 3 and if repeating building on that in this ground, should be there at finish.

Wajir: 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 Goodwood Cup but this ground should suit a lot more, and this is a drop in class at his right trip; Major claims.

Deportment: Ran well when fourth to Opinion Poll at Nottingham on reappearance, having won handicap at backend of last year; Well held in Germany since and that gives her lot to find back from break.

Cacus: Steadily improving type and was making headway when third in Bahrain Trophy last time (form solid for the level) and this greater test should help but unproven on ground (well beaten on soft ground debut) and may need a bit more to tackle some useful older rivals.

VERDICT: The best recent form goes to Drunken Salior, who should be right there at the finish having handled heavy ground in Ireland, but WAJIR holds form at least as good on his preferred underfoot going and this is a drop in class from what he’s done this season.