Vintage Stakes 2012

2.35 Goodwood

Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £34,026

Advice: 1 pt win Maxientus & Birdman (15/2 and 8/1 genera)

Olympic Glory: Absolutely hacked up when winning on debut here in good maiden and then posted extremely promising second in Coventry (form of which is working out well) before winning Superlative at Newmarket; All out to hold Birdman at end of that race but heavy ground wouldn’t have suited at all (tied up coming into last furlong) and said to have missed work earlier in week with setback; Now 3lbs worse off with runner up and second from that but sure to be suited much better by this surface.

Artigiano: Followed promising York win with solid fifth in Coventry but seemed to suggest that was as good as he is when fourth at Newmarket last time and less potential for improvement than others in this field (including first two ahead of him there).

Birdman: Impressive winner at Chepstow following clear but Brighton maiden success but proved himself to be group class when chasing down Olympic Glory relentlessly to be beaten just a head in Superlative at  Newmarket; While that flattered him a little, he has a 3lbs pull today and that gives him a major chance here.

Chilworth Icon: Won three from 7 starts, two of them Listed races at 6 furlongs; Struggled badly in the Chesham and then the July Stakes and not sure this trip suits him or the track either; Better choices.

Ghurair: Made an extremely impressive winning debut at July Festival, winning well after taking control of the race a furlong out and winning despite being very green; Fourth bolted up at Leopardstown next time out (had been looking for better gound) and sure he’s upto group class but this a big step up even for ne so promising.

Luhaif: Broke his duck by 6 lengths at Newbury – had previously looked as if he’d remain a maiden for a good while – but readily left behind in the Group 2 won by Olympic Glory last time and same story looks to be on cards.  

Maxientus: Had looked to be one of the more promising 2 year olds seen this year when romping his maiden and then dismissing opposition with consummate ease in novice event (beat three previous winners); Third in Superlative Stakes but had looked very good through the race (hit the front two furlongs out) and may have foundered in heavy ground late on; 3lbs pull with winner may help him and chance here.

Operation Chariot: Well behind three form principals in Superlative Stakes, which was disappointing effort after his impressive win in Sandown maiden, although that was a weak event; This looks too hard.

Tha’ir:  Made a promising debut hen fourth in soft ground Ripon maiden (behind Hillbilly Boy) but clearly much improved for the experience when beating a subsequent winner and stablemate there; Chesham win hinted at more to come but that form doesn’t look so great in this context and others preferred.

Whipper’s Boy: Improved markedly from debut to win 7f Epsom maiden easily by 3½ lengths last month and has potential, although others much preferred.

VERDICT: Ghuair was hugely promising when winning on debut at Newmarket and it’s no surpise to see him favourite, but this is a really competitive test and he’s short for one taking such a step up in class. Olympic Glory won despite the ground at Newmarket in the Superlative Stakes and is sure to take the beating even under a 3lbs penalty, but that gives his beaten rivals from Newmarket, MAXIENTUS and BIRDMAN, great chances of turning around the form given that both are also likely to improve for the better ground. They shouldn’t be as big as 7 and 8/1 to win respectively.