Glorious Goodwood 2017 – Templegate’s pinstickers’ guide to the runners and riders for the Qatar King George Stakes at Goodwood racecourse
Templegate runs you through the contenders for the Qatar King George Stakes and gives you his verdict on the Group 2 contest on the Sussex Downs
THE Qatar King George Stakes should be PROFITABLE.
Clive Cox’s speedster thrived on soft ground over five furlongs last season. His King’s Stand win proved how good he is and only Lady Aurelia was too good for him last time.
Conditions tip the balance in his favour against top prospect Battaash.
FINAL VENTURE 2/5
ONE Venture too far. Thrived in Dubai and has continued to progress. Won a Listed contest on soft in June and ran Take Cover close at York last time.
Better off at weights but this level might be beyond him.
GLASS OFFICE 2/5
GLASS half empty. Fourth in this race four years ago and caused a shock at this level in 2015. Missed last year but not disgraced on his return in June.
Still a fair bit to prove dropped to five furlongs.
KACHY 3/5
NOT the Kach of the day. Touched off by smart Magical Memory over six furlongs last time. Just as good – if not better – over today’s shorter trip.
Bombed out when tried on soft ground but that was in a Group 1. Likely to come up short.
PRICELESS 3/5
THE Price is not right. Looked good when landing the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock in May. Disappointing in the King’s Stand at Ascot.
Handles a bit of cut in the ground but this is far softer.
WASHINGTON DC 2/5
OUT with the Washington. His neck second to Marsha in May reads well. Not totally convinced by his attitude and he’s put in two moderate efforts since.
The ground is no good for him either.
PROFITABLE 5/5
GET in Profit. Star five-furlong sprinter last season. Completed a hat-trick of wins in the Group 1 King’s Stand on soft ground. Runner-up to US speedster Lady Aurelia this time.
Primed for a massive run.
ARDAD 1/5
DON’T trust Dad. Smart juvenile last year. Landed a Group 2 over this trip in September. Yet to fire in two starts this term and it’s not getting an easier.
TAKE COVER 3/5
GIVE and Take. Going for his third win in this race. Ferociously speedy but might have that pace blunted on the soft ground.
Made all to land his prep race at York last time but likely to get bogged down today.
BATTAASH 4/5
BAT could bash ’em. Has looked a potential champion in two starts this season. Bolted up in a Sandown Group 3 last time.
Clearly up to this level but he runs so well on fast ground today’s conditions have to be a concern.
KYLLANG ROCK 2/5
ROCK in a hole. No problem with soft ground and twice went close in Listed races. Miles behind Take Cover when last of 11 at York last time when tried in cheekpieces.
Hard to fancy on that run.
MARSHA 3/5
BOG worry for Marsh. Improved rapidly last season and signed off with Group 1 win in the Abbaye. Kicked off this year with fine victory and solid efforts since.
Yet to run on anything remotely soft. That’s the only problem – and it’s big one.
YALTA 2/5
DON’T shout for Yalta. His Group 3 Molecomb victory at this meeting last year couldn’t have worked out much better.
Tried six furlongs this season without much success. Banking on the return to Goodwood to spark him back to life. Risky.