Goodwood Cup 2013

3.15 Goodwood

Artemis Goodwood Cup (British Champions Series) (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £56,710

Advice: 1 pt each/way Altano (8/1 general)

Azeemah: Really finding her feet at middle distance/staying trips, second  Cavalryman in Dubai Gold Cup in March and then with second in 1m4f Newmarket Group 2; That form gives her few pounds to find here and others make slightly more appeal.

Altano: Often shown promise as stayer in Germany, looking as if further step up in trip would suit him down to the ground when winning Group 3 Oleander-Rennen over 2m at Hoppegarten for second year running, and belied his odds in the Gold Cup to run a finer ace when fifth, given far too much to do off a slow pace and running the fastest final furlong in the field; First three absent here and could well have passed Colour Vision or even won with a better ride, so has to be higher on the shortlist.

Askar Tau: Second in this last year but not reached the form he was able to show in his earlier days and both runs this season suggest he’s got too much to do here.

Brown Panther: Can be there or thereabouts here on his best form, which includes a third in the Irish St Ledger last September, and reappearance win, even in weak race, promised he’d be able to show it here; 2m should suit and interesting for all that he had more than three lengths to make up on Mount Athos from their previous meeting.

Cacus: Had troubles that meant he raced just once in 2011 but made amends and showed considerable promise when closing out last season with good 2m Listed win, and bettered that form once again to take second behind Estimate in Sagaro Stakes, form that obviously looks rock solid now, and latest win another sign of progression; Can go well.

Cavalryman: When at his best, a high lass horse, as shown by ready defeat of stablemate Azheemah, but shadow of the horse that once came here and been below par of late; Look elsewhere.

Colour Vision: Not the horse that won the Gold Cup last year or that was third in this under a penalty soon afterwards, and best run for months when fourth in Gold Cup, improved from reappearance greatly when just ahead of Altano and behind top three; That form will give him fine chance but not as consistent as he used to be.

Glen’s Diamond: Flopped latest but right up there in contention if based on his Yorkshire Cup win, where he got the better of Top Trip by a nose, a career best effort for this 5 year old; Of potential interest as he can outrun his odds.

Mount Athos: Making up into a op class stayer, winning Group 3 at Newbury in fine style before arguably unlucky fifth in Melbroune Cup (below form in Japan); Disappointed in Hardwicke after easily outrunning inferior rivals on return at Chester, but maybe it’s time for him to step up to this trip and must be given a big chance although you wouldn’t want him too far back.

No Heretic: Strong middle distance handicap form for the last year including two wins over 12 furlongs, along with pair of strong thirds; Only sixth in Queen Alexandra Stakes when making belated late headway but looks to lack the pace to keep with the top stayers here.

Number Theory: Second, best of the rest by some way in Sadnown Group 3 which saw amongst others, Colour Vision disappointing, and then third in 1m6f York Listed handicap, but ninth in Ascot Gold Cup confirms he’s not good enough for this.

Repeater: Fourth in last year’s Doncaster cup and then found subsequent assignment coming too soon; Didn’t run too badly on seasonal reappearance in last month’s Gold Cup but well behind Cacus since and doesn’t look good enough.

Saddlers Rock: Made amends for unlucky Ascot Gold Cup defat when winning last year’s renewal of this but just hasn’t shown the same form since and it’s becoming harder and harder to make a proper case for him.

Mister Impatience: Shaped like a stayer on many occasions, second in Chester Vase before finding 10f at Newmarket far too sharp and then running fourth in the Queen’s Vase; Would have wanted more rain to fall and needs more to find anyway/

VERDICT: Mount Athos could be the answer but it’s clear that ALTANO should have gotten closer in the Ascot Gold Cup and if being given a more prominent ride today, one would have to imagine that he’ll take the beating today. Colour Vision isn’t guaranteed to give his best, so look to Caucus, and at a huge price, Glen’s Diamond to provide the bigger threats.