3.15 Goodwood
Artemis Goodwood Cup (British Champions' Series) (Group 2)
(Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £56,710
Pick: Opinion Poll (win)
Blue Bajan: Ran as well as he has ever done when second in
1m6f Yorkshire Cup in second run back from over a year off and travelled like a
dream when landing Henry II Stakes at Sandown; nO shame in Gold Cup defeat but
3lbs penalty the off-putting factor today.
Aaim To Prosper: Did well when repelling all comers to win
the Cesarewitch off mark of 87 on final start last season; Ran respectably in
Group 3 at Ascot on seasonal return and in defeat on all occasions since, but
held by a number of runners here. 
Allied Powers: Winner of 2 Group events last year (Grand
Prix & Prix H’edouville) before creditable, although not particularly
notable, Group 1 runs; Steady improvement in performance this season before scarily
below par showing last twice; Needs more.
Bergo: Has fair bit of class and stamina in abundance, as he
showed when winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes at this meeting last year and good Dubai run shows he still retains that
talent, but may be tapped for toe here.
Chiberta King: Seemingly lost his way a little bit but back
in form the last thrice, when fourth in fiercely contested long – distance
handicap before winning easily; Made to work hard for Listed success last time
out at Sandown and may owe that in part to a very strong finish (same rider on-board
today for fans of this one) but others just preferred. 
Electrolyser: Won 2m listed race at Ascot in 2009 and
further improvement when third to Illustrious Blue in Sagaro Stakes there in
April; Ran series of good races in decent staying events all last summer, but
taking his time to reach peak here; Could interest at bigger prices if right
vibes are given.
Fox Hunt: Found no end of improvement this season, running
out a ready winner at Epsom before quite seriously impressive win at Royal
Ascot; Unable to complete hat – trick at York but that a fine effort and sure
to go well here; May not have finished improving yet.
Geordieland: Has been desperately unlucky to bump into Yeats
twice in attempts to win Ascot Gold Cup, and has had plenty of success in other
staying events; Thankfully none the worse for his abnormal showing at Ascot but
surely can’t be force of old at this age.
Lost In The Moment: Has been improving at a rate of knots
this season with fast finishing handicap efforts over 10 furlongs, latest in
John Smith’s Cup (form boosted); Would have a definite chance of being in shake
up if he repeated that form over this trip and interesting.
Manighar: Progressed into potential top stayer with
promising placed efforts in Australian races towards latter end of last season
and returned in same form when beaten only by Blue Bajan and Duncan in
Yorkshire Cup;Impeded in Gold Cup at just the wrong time, so can go well here.
Montaff: Only second win in 27 starts when taking 2m Ripon
handicap in April but slowly finding best form, coming a good second to Blue
Bajan at Sandown and filling that position when in Northumberland Plate; Others
in this field look more progressive.
Opinion Poll: Made steady progress last season when winning
Group 2 event and threatened to take a Group 1 last season, with creditable
efforts in top staying races; Fourth in Longchamp Group 2 more than
satisfactory effort and career best when second in Gold Cup last time out, suffering
a slightly trouble passage; The one to beat on that evidence.
Oveturn: One of the best dual coders for a while, he once
again left his field chasing shows in the Chester Cup (good draw, never headed,
form since boosted) ; Unable to repeat those tactics in Northumberland Plate
and Group company maybe too hard for him.
Red Cadeux: Always there or thereabouts when in big
handicaps last season, although never winning for variety of reasons; Finally
had things fall right for him when running out ready enough winner of Listed
handicap and built on lucky effort when miles clear of opposition in Curragh Cup;
That may have been a weaker than usual renewal but still merits respect.
Swingkeel: Hasn’t found his best flat form so far this
season but this out and out stayer got his big success when relishing extreme
test in Queen Alexandra last month; Drop in trip not expected to suit.
Tastahil: Needs an easy lead to show his best but few good
enough to ass him when he gets it, as shown by his 5 lengths Group 3 win last
October and good seasonal reappearance behind Overturn under big weight at
Chester; Pulled up at Ascot latest but if back to best could prove difficult to
roll back.
VERDICT: While it’s not as classy as some recent renewal’s it’s
as competitive as numbers suggest. The chances of OPINION POLL are obvious for
all to see but it will take a good one to stop him if repeating his recent
form, having not had the clearest of passages in the Gold Cup. Manighar, who
was also impeded that day, can take a close hand, with Fox Hunt and Lost In The
Moment almost noticed.
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