Glorious Goodwood 2011 - Gordon Stakes

2.35 Goodwood

bet365 Gordon Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £28,355

Pick: Fiorente (win)

Dordogne: Ground his way to a Listed win on debut this season and made amends for blip when he held off stablemate (who was hanging badly and has disappointed since) in Group 3 next time; Found taking on older horses too hard at July Festival but looks to have a tough task on here.

Namiban: Has held himself highly in good races this season, and career best when sticking it out best of all in Queen’s Vase; While he shouldn’t be underestimated, he seems suited to a longer trip and has a penalty.

Fiorente: Caught eye on debut behind World Domination at Newbury and bolted up next time out as was expected at same course; Marked himself down a s Group winner in waiting when going under the tress at Ascot but still managing second to Nathaniel (who has subsequently won King George) from poor position; Hard to beat.

Highland Knight: Showed promise when third and then first in pair of good maidens and better performance when managing to make up late headway (had dropped himself out) in Haydock handicap; This another step up but can’t be dismissed out of hand.

Hunter’s Light: Created Group class impression when slamming Dee Stakes 2nd in maiden at Newmarket & made quick amends for Royal Ascot disappointment (behind Slumber) when toughing it out having made smooth headway at Hamilton latest; Others preferred even with the promise of more to come. 

Hurricane Higgins: Progressive although quirky and should have won Lingfield Derby trial but for hanging violently all the way down the straight; Well held on all starts since so passed over.

Measuring Time: Had made a good start to the season when second in three valuable events but held behind more progressive types of late and clear stable second string.

Moriarty: Improved with every start last season, winning Convivial Stakes at Ebor meeting in good style and taking valuable conditions contest afterwards; Improved this season when just behind Happy Today in Fielden Stakes and again in Gallinule Stakes (strong at finish); Better than his Royal Ascot run although that not pointer for success.

Slumber: Showed nothing on debut but swept opposition aside when winning Epsom Derby trial on second start and better form when behind class acts in Nathaniel and Treasure Beach (not at ease on track); Drop back to 1m2f was successful at Royal Ascot, but a luckless run made more difference and he can go very close here.

Well Sharp: Impressive when thrashing two rivals and has held his own in good races since, both at major festivals; Something of a surprise if group company’s not beyond him.

Yaseer: Made encouraging debut when chasing home Derby hope Carlton House at Newbury in October, before readily landing odds at Kempton on AW (odds-on); Clearly improved as a three year old based on Craven third but Dante sixth not encouraging and longer trip an uncertainty.

VERDICT: Barry Hills’s Slumber should make a bold bid back up to 12 furlongs but it’s impossible to ignore the similarly strong claims of FIORENTE, who had so much against him when an excellent second to Nathaniel at Royal Ascot last time. The form has been boosted since and he can hold of the first named along with Nambian and Hunter’s Light.