Can Lunar Space use his best Irish form to land mile handicap at Goodwood?

Wednesday: 2.25 Goodwood
Heineken Optional Claiming Handicap | 1m | 4yo+ | RTV

There is a large weight differential between the top-rated (102) and bottom-rated (78) in this race and evidence from the three runnings since its inception in 2018 suggests a low draw may prove beneficial.

The average official rating of the winner is 87 and no horse has carried more than 9st 11lb to victory.

Lunar Space is the only runner available to be claimed at Goodwood and he is therefore allowed to race from a mark of 90, which is 7lb lower than his official mark.

The four-year-old is worth considering on the pick of his Irish form for Jim Bolger but has had a 98-day break since finishing well beaten in the Royal Hunt Cup in June on his first run for Jamie Osborne.

Via Serendipity features off a 1lb lower mark than when successful on decent ground in last year's contest, but his recent form and the forecast underfoot conditions are a concern.

Alazwar is only 4lb higher than when making all to win at Haydock this month. He is unproven on good to soft ground but has a favourable low draw, while his sire Awtaad gets plenty of winners on good to soft.

Shelir has a substantial amount of weight to carry, but he goes well at this time of year and the underfoot conditions should be in his favour.

The eight-year-old Enigmatic won this race on good to soft from a mark 82 in 2018 and is only 1lb higher. He had a troubled passage into a respectable sixth at Yarmouth last week and is definitely one to consider.

The 82-rated Substantial is also shortlisted. The four-year-old was sent off 9-4 favourite for the Summer Cup at Thirsk in July and had excuses for finishing only ninth, but he could get back on track in a first-time tongue-tie.
Analysis by Dave Randall

What they say

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Vafortino
He's been in good form and we’ve freshened him up for the end of the season because we know he likes that extra juice in the ground. I don’t think the step back up to a mile will be an issue and the ground will suit him. We’re drawn well in stall three and he should go well.

Daniel Kubler, joint-trainer of Percy's Lad
This race looks quite nice, the track should suit him and he's in good form. I wasn't sure why he was such a big price when he won at Chester, but the race before at Ffos Las probably came too quick after the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. He had a harder race than we thought and we gave him a bit of time to freshen up. If he turns up in similar form to last time then we'll have a chance.

Tom Ward, trainer of The Turpinator
He's had a couple of unlucky runs at Goodwood after his win there, but he likes the track and it's the right race for him. At Glorious Goodwood he never really got a run and Ryan [Moore] couldn't get stuck into him. He stayed on well but didn't get luck in running. He's in good form and hopefully he can run a nice race.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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