Keith Melrose assesses the major players in Wednesday's big staying handicap

1.45 Goodwood
Unibet You're On Goodwood Handicap (Class 2) | 2m4½f, 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

This race used to kick-off Sussex Stakes day at Goodwood and is something of an answer to the Ascot Stakes. Such races are rare, so the same types of horses tend to turn up in successive years. Lil Rockerfeller landed a gamble in 2018 before finishing sixth last year and both placed horses from last year are back again.

There is a sense that True Destiny's course has been set for Goodwood. He has placed on both starts this season while leaving the impression there is more to come. He had been progressive on the way into this race last year and has actually edged forward in form terms of late. Seinesational has been busier in the meantime, adding another placed effort at the course but running only respectably at best since.

The Ascot Stakes form is represented several times over. Winner Coeur De Lion runs for the first time since, while third-placed Summer Moon has tried his luck at Group level in between.

Thore Hammer Hansen celebrates after winning the Ascot Stakes aboard Coeur De LionCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The one who went in most notebooks, however, would have been Rochester House. He made his move on the turn for home, starting at the back and running notably wide before plugging on all the way up the straight. He would have been right there had things panned out more favourably and an unspectacular run in the meantime can be forgiven, especially given his yard.

There is no draw, with races over this course and distance using a flag start, so with a fair run to the first turn the field should be allowed to sort itself out to most riders' satisfaction. A large chunk of the runners are hold-up horses and those that may look to cut out the pace are either outsiders (Harbour Front, Mukha Magic) or Mark Johnston-trained (Summer Moon, Rochester House).
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Harry Charlton, assistant trainer of True Destiny
He's technically 2lb well in and I think he stays all day. He was third in the race last year having looked like he'd win up the straight. He's in very good form after his third in the Marsh Cup and should be bang there.

Alan King, trainer of Coeur De Lion
We gave him a nice little break after Ascot as opposed to last year, when we went to Newcastle for the [Northumberland Plate] consolation race. He then didn’t run terribly well at Goodwood and hopefully he’s a lot fresher this year. He’s crept up in the handicap and Thore’s claim is down to 3lb but he stays all day and I’m hopeful he’ll run well.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Oleg
This has always been the aim since he won at Pontefract. He needs to be fresh, is in really good shape and I’m hopeful of a good run. I wanted a good lightweight jockey and I couldn’t have got anyone better than Hollie Doyle.

William Knight, trainer of Seinesational and Author’s Dream
Seinesational just got touched off in this last year. The ground is in his favour and I think he’ll put up a big performance. It turned into a bit of a sprint last time at Newcastle but Author’s Dream won nicely at Sandown before that and the extra distance and ground will suit.

David Simcock, trainer of Smart Champion
This was always part of the plan and he loves extreme distances. There’s no question we ran him back too soon after Ascot in the Northumberland Plate. He stays very well so it should suit him.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Its'afreebee
His Royal Ascot reappearance was a very good run in what was a conditions race off level weights. He ran a very good race and was only getting going at the last minute. At York the other day they went no gallop and it turned into a sprint, which didn’t suit him. The trip and track should suit and Angus Villiers takes a very valuable 5lb claim off. He’s fit and well and I think he has a good chance.
Reporting by Mark Storey

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