Key insight as Maven set to become first Goodwood runner for Wesley Ward

3.00 Goodwood
Markel Insurance Molecomb Stakes | Group 3 | 5f| 2yo | ITV/RTV

Providing rain does not spoil the party, Wesley Ward will break new ground on Wednesday when Maven becomes the Californian trainer's first runner at Goodwood.

Ward has been a pioneer over the last decade, racking up ten Royal Ascot winners but he has yet to enjoy a winner at Goodwood, a feat he will be hoping to fix with the unbeaten son of American Pharoah.

He had been due to run Happy Like A Fool in this race in 2017, only for rain to rule her out of the Group 3 contest on the day of the race and the trainer has similar ground-related concerns for Maven.

Maven: missed Royal Ascot due to the rainCredit: Michele MacDonald

Frankie Dettori's intended mount had an aborted trip to Royal Ascot when soft ground ruled him out of the Norfolk Stakes but gained compensation nine days later when winning the Group 3 Prix du Bois at Chantilly having previously scored on debut at Aqueduct.

"He's doing great but we don't need any rain," said Ward. "He stayed in France after his victory and he's ready to go. Goodwood is a beautiful track and should suit him. We're hoping for the best and praying for the rest – we'll have to see what the conditions are."

Will Liberty Beach burn her rivals off again?

Liberty Beach, beaten less than three lengths in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, attempts to notch a fourth success from five runs having scorched the turf with an impressive turn of foot at Sandown last time.

Rated just 2lb inferior to Maven on Racing Post Ratings, she receives 6lb from the colt due to his penalty and her sex allowance.

Liberty Beach: impressed in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown last timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"She's been in good form since Sandown and I'm really happy with her," said trainer John Quinn. "It will certainly be competitive but she showed a phenomenal turn of speed last time and all we can do is hope she can go out there and replicate that again."

While her three wins have all come on good to firm ground, her fantastic Ascot fourth was achieved on good to soft.

Can Hand On My Heart bridge the gap to Group level?

Clive Cox pitches Hand On My Heart in at the deep end on just her second start, although there was plenty to like about the way she put four more experienced rivals to the sword from the front on her debut at Windsor last month.

A half-sister to Heartache and Heartwarming, both high achievers for the trainer, Hand On My Heart will receive the assistance of Ryan Moore for the first time.

"She couldn't have pleased me more with her debut win at Windsor," said Cox. "She was getting allowances, but to win first time out was nice and she can do nothing but improve.

"She's got a lot of natural ability and speed and is very athletic, while she's getting stronger and I'm really pleased she's inherited that vital gene of ability her sisters had."

Which of O'Brien's runners is the ace?

Joseph O'Brien bids to follow in his father's footsteps as he chases a first Goodwood success with Air Force Jet and Alligator Alley.

The former had just one horse behind him in the Norfolk Stakes, but bounced back to form with a narrow second in Listed company last time, while Alligator Alley takes the leap from a maiden success at Navan to this Group 3.

"Air Force Jet came back to form with a good run in a Listed race at Tipperary last time and is in good form," said the trainer. "It will be Alligator Alley's first run in a stakes race but he won his maiden very well at Navan and we're happy with him."

What they say

Matthieu Palussiere, trainer of Fan Club Rules and Wheels On Fire
Fan Club Rules is very tough, consistent and generous. Wheels On Fire has a lot of speed and I'm hopeful he'll go well. Both of them should be suited by the fast pace and the track, though I wouldn't want to see too much rain.

George Scott, trainer of Raahy
He's dramatically improving physically all the time and, although it's a big step up, I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on. I'm hoping for rain – he'll love that as he's got quite a high knee action. I'm delighted to be drawn next to Maven and he can give us a lead. Hopefully we'll be in the shake-up.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Show Me Show Me
It was a big run at Newbury and he's come out of it well – he's a tough, hardy horse and we'll see how he gets on. The rain certainly won't do him any harm.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Dr Simpson
We've decided to roll the dice and see if we can win the Molecomb. She's very straightforward, couldn't have done it any easier last time and deserves an opportunity of winning a big one. I don't think the ground will bother her, no matter how it turns out.

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