Richmond Stakes 2012

2.45 Goodwood

Audi Richmond Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £39,697

Advice: 1 pt win Ahern (15/8 general)

Ahern; Much better than fifth in Norfolk suggests he is (lost a lot of ground at the start and made that up late) and might not have been suited by soft ground in July Stakes (leading until late where he floundered); Should go well here.

Cay Verde: Strong travelling sort who had taken many eyes with successes at Ascot and CUrragh before disappointing at Norfolk when just behind Ahern; No reason why that form should be changed and others preferred here despite eye-catching booking of William Buick.

Euxton Hall: Looked like a colt with a future when winning neatly on debut and didn’t handle Epsom next time out; Conditions stakes win was decent but beaten again in Listed company last behind Master Of War and those places won’t be reversed.

Ginger Goose: Didn’t need to match the form he’d showed on debut – when promising second at Doncaster in maiden that’s worked out OK (Lewisham since run well in July Stakes when ahead of Ahern); Might have more to come here.

Heavy Metal: Progressive through May-June when second in Woodcote Stakes, but limitations seem to have been exposed the last twice and others make far more appeal here.

Master Of War: Built on promising debut (winner since won Listed race, now group class) when winning well at Haydock and showed himself to be better than Ascot ninth with clear cut Haydock listed win; Trainer won last four renewals so needs obvious respecting.

Secret Sign: Massive improvement from first to second start, landing a 6f Windsor maiden in late June, as is the norm with this yard; Likely to have more to give but this demands a lot more.

Top Boy: Ran a great race in Super Sprint when fifth (that followed several promising efforts) although one time in Group 2 Coventry he was nearer last than first and others make more appeal than him on many accounts.

VERDICT: Richard Hannon has won the last 4 renewals of this event and the improving Master Of War must be respected but this looks to be the best opportunity yet for AHERN to take a group contest, and with David Barron’s charge now getting better ground, there shouldn’t be a problem. with his stamina as there was late on in soft ground at the July Stakes, where the stiff finish taxed him late on. Cay Verde is one of the main dangers but there looks to be no reason why he should be reversing Norfolk form with Ahern and the springer might be secret sign.