Glorious Goodwood 2017 – Khalidi and Crystal Ocean lock horns in Saturday’s Qatar Gordon Stakes at Goodwood
KHALIDI and Crystal Ocean lock horns once again in the Qatar Gordon Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.
The pair finished second and third respectively behind Permian in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot when last seen.
Khalidi already has course experience having won the Cocked Hat Stakes back here in May, while Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Ocean has plenty of potential with just four runs under his belt.
William Haggas is worried about the state of the ground for Across Dubai, who got back on track with a cosy success at Haydock last month.
"I'm very concerned about the ground, so we'll have to see what it's like," said the Newmarket handler.
"He's a nice horse and he won very well at Haydock. He's got a bit to find on the figures but we felt he deserved a shot at a better race."
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Eve Johnson Houghton believes Jake's Hill is improving and will not be out of place in this Group 3 line-up.
After winning a maiden Sandown, Jake's Hill was a creditable third to seasoned campaigner Spark Plug in the Listed Gala Stakes when doing the donkey work in front.
"He's in good form. He's had a nice break since his last run and I think he's an improving three-year-old. We'll see, we're hopeful," said Johnson Houghton.
"I think the extra distance will suit him. It looks as though that's what he needs. Fingers crossed he'll run really well."
Completing the quintet is Ralph Beckett's Mount Moriah, who also has a progressive profile having won both his starts in 2017.