Can £720,000 breeze-up buy Maximized follow up his impressive debut win for Godolphin in the Woodcote?

Double-digit fields have become commonplace in the Woodcote in recent years, which has made finding the winner more difficult. Add in the fact that precocious juveniles can improve bundles between starts and it has become a tricky race to assess.

Trainers tend to be creatures of habit, though, and the presence of Charlie Appleby for the first time since 2020 catches the eye. He saddled Modern News to be second on that occasion, a year on from unleashing superstar Pinatubo on the Downs.

Similarities can be drawn between Pinatubo and this year's contender Maximized, as they both got the better of a shorter-priced Godolphin-owned rival to make a winning debut before lining up in this contest.

Closely related to Listed scorer Benefit, the Mehmas colt quickened up nicely and won with a fair bit in hand at Haydock 15 days ago, going some way to justifying connections stumping up £720,000 to buy him at the breeze-ups. He brings major potential.

Eve Johnson Houghton won this two years ago with an inexpensive once-raced winner and bids for a repeat with Havana Hurricane, who was bought for just 9,000gns as a yearling.

There was plenty to like about the way he landed a Goodwood novice last month, as he was slowly away but drew impressively clear late on having cruised into contention. That form has been franked since, with wins for the second, third and eighth.

From the family of 6f Group 2 winner Diffident, he should improve for the extra furlong and his ability to handle Goodwood bodes well for him coping with the demands of Epsom. He rates a likely winner.

Havana Hurricane had Logi Bear two lengths behind that day and it’s hard to imagine a reversal on the same terms, while he had the Brocklesby runner-up more than five lengths behind too, which likely gives him the edge over Doncaster winner Norman's Cay, so Raakeb could be the pick of Richard Hannon's trio.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

What they say

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Havana Hurricane
He seems to be in really good form and I think he's got a great chance. The form of his debut win has worked out well and we know he goes downhill, which helps, and he's come on for his last run.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Logi Bear, Norman's Cay and Raakeb
Logi Bear is a speedy colt who has improved with each run and was quite impressive at Newmarket last time, where he handled the Dip well. He's also run very well at Goodwood, so is clearly effective on these unconventional tracks. This is obviously a step up but he deserves to take his chance. We deliberately decided to give Norman's Cay a break after winning the Brocklesby to allow him time to grow and fill out, and he has done really well. There's a bit of rain forecast on Friday which we feel will help because he won at Doncaster on good to soft. I was very happy with Raakeb's run at Beverley last time, which is usually a decent race, and the step up to six furlongs will definitely be in his favour. He's a tough little colt with a great attitude and is certainly no back number.

Richard Hannon: runs three juveniles in the WoodcoteCredit: Edward Whitaker

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Maximized
He was quite impressive when winning at Haydock and has come forward since. He's straightforward and goes here with a great chance.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Anaisa
She's in good form and we're happy with her draw. I think she'll go well on the ground and she's a nice filly. She's got more experience than some of the others, but it's a tough race.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Too Darn Good
He ran well on his debut at Bath. He's clearly got a bit to find but he's progressed from it. He's straightforward and has a good attitude.

George Baker, trainer of Trinculo
We're rolling the dice by starting off in a race like the Woodcote but we know he's a lovely horse. It's a huge ask and he'll improve from whatever happens here, but we'll make a call in the morning because if it goes soft I would think long and hard about running him.
Reporting by Catherine Macrae

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