Can Goodwood specialist Mark Johnston make it five winners in 11 years?

2.15 Goodwood
Unibet 3 Boosts A Day Handicap | 1m4f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

Mark Johnston is famed for his success at Goodwood and this race has proved particularly fruitful. The Middleham trainer has saddled the winner four times in the last ten seasons and last year’s success came with Sir Ron Priestley, who went on to finish second in the St Leger.

Johnston often comes in mob-handed with three of four contenders, but he saddles only two in this year’s running and Glenties looks the pick of his pair after a win at Windsor last time.

That victory looked unlikely for most of the journey, but Glenties found plenty under pressure and finished strongly to win going away, defying a high of 26 in running on Betfair.

The extra half-furlong is in his favour and he is the stable first string according to the market.

Sir Ron Priestley (far side): last year's winner finished second in the St LegerCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The market hasn’t always been the best guide to Johnston’s runners in this race, though. Sir Graham Wade (14-1) defeated better fancied stablemate Scatter Dice when winning in 2012 and Londinium (9-1) beat the shorter-priced Hochfeld when successful three years ago.

Joe Fanning has been on board three of the four Johnston winners too, including both the lesser-fancied scorers, so it’s eyecatching that he rides supposed second string King’s Caper.

That’s a pointer towards King’s Caper’s chance and he certainly shouldn’t be written off.

There is likely to be plenty of pace on with Mambo Nights and the free-rolling Sound Of Cannons in the line up. Sound Of Cannons often pulls his chance away and needs to settle.

A fast pace might set things up for the closers and Win O’Clock looked all about stamina when finishing strongly to come from last-to-first in a three-runner race at Leicester last time.

That was over 1m2f but he proved he stays 1m4f in a bigger field when seventh in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and looks the type who might relish the stronger gallop here.

Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

George Scott, trainer of Sarvan
I anticipated stepping up in trip throughout this year and a mile and a half should not be a problem. He's still a little immature but has come good since Pontefract and I think that win gave him a lot of confidence. It's really competitive but my horse has trained perfectly into the race.

David Simcock, trainer of Carlos Felix
He’s a progressive horse and one we've always liked. This race is very competitive and will take a lot of winning. Whoever does will need to have been in front of their mark. We haven’t done masses with him but he’s in good order so I’m pretty sure he will run well.

Harry Charlton, assistant trainer of Win O'Clock
It's a very good race but he's a handy, well-balanced horse and I expect Goodwood to be fine. He's won two of his last three and was pretty unlucky at Royal Ascot in a race that has worked out well. I'd be disappointed if he doesn't run well.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of A Star Above
He just seems to do enough in his races but is tough and pulls enough out. He's got a low weight and has Hollie Doyle to assist. It's not going to be easy and it's a step up for him but I think the track and trip will suit. He might even be better over another couple of furlongs in time.

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Cozone
He needs a bit of cut in the ground which is the reason I'm running him from out of the handicap. He won well at Sandown and is a nice, progressive horse who I'm looking forward to running.

Reporting by Lewis Porteous

Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 6pm daily on racingpost.com