August 27 / 17.20 Goodwood

17.20

Soft

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

  • Prize money: £6156
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 411-30 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won three times (11.4f-1m6f, soft/heavy) last year during a highly progressive 3yo campaign; close third on reappearance over C&D in May; failed to settle in a valuable 1m4f handicap at Haydock eight weeks ago but makes plenty of appeal on her earlier record.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(10)

19th Aug 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

Secret Shadow

9st 5lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Paul Nicholls

Unraced on firmer than good and she's won on good to soft, soft and heavy; suited by about 1m6f and her fifth of seven at Newbury on latest start was creditable; probably on the premises.

12/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 13-115 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two wins over hurdles in March and two on the Flat at Goodwood (on soft over 2m and 1m6f) in May/June; creditable fifth of 12 at Sandown (1m6f, good) six days ago and has serious claims back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

19:33 Fontwell

Aggagio

11st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last month's down-the-field finish in a valuable Flat marathon is easily overlooked and he reverts to hurdling on an attractive mark but he's on the downgrade and has become inconsistent; soundly beaten twice in cheekpieces last season and now tries blinkers; hard to predict.

7/1

11th

16

(1)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 137y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Aggagio

8st 2lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

All British Flat wins (five of them) have been at Goodwood but the last four were on soft ground, latest in June 2025; sixth in this race in 2023 and fifth last year, both on soft; last August saw his only run on good to firm in the last three years and he wasn't discredited, but he needs to step up on this year's efforts, particularly as he's 4lb out of the handicap.

20/1

6th

6

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Sandown

Aggagio

9st 9lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Ran creditably in sole Sandown attempt (four years ago) but is still seeking a first British Flat success away from Goodwood; modest third there last time in a race he'd won in 2022.

8/1

Form: -14203

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
In good form before not showing his best on last two outings; as those better efforts included two C&D runs on softer than good, and he's now run with credit on all four visits here, he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(5)

1st Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Ravens Ark

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

blindfold off late and dwelt start, towards rear

14/1

4th

4

(5)

1st Oct 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:25 Epsom

Ravens Ark

9st 9lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Hughie Morrison

Fourth in this 12 months ago off 4lb higher; started this campaign with two good seconds (1m4f/1m6f) but has been tailed off the last twice on good and soft ground; now has more to prove than some of these.

9/1

6th

8

(3)

26th Aug 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Goodwood

Ravens Ark

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hughie Morrison

Three seconds and two thirds from his six runs at Goodwood; no win since May 2022 but good second at Ascot (1m4f) and Goodwood (1m6f; alongside Vaynor) in his first two appearances this season, before something seemed amiss at Newmarket six weeks ago; has a competitive mark if straight back to form and the cheekpieces (which received a positive initial response when fitted in the last two seasons) get their first airing this term.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 0-2115 D

Last run: 67 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Better than ever this year, scoring at Nottingham (1m6f) and Newbury (1m4f, good to soft) in May; made most in the latter and did so again when below form back at Newbury on latest outing; more to prove if the ground is soft; off 67 days but not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Grand Scheme

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Three-time Flat winner (1m-1m6f) for Richard Hannon; having only his fifth start over hurdles when scoring by 15l at Southwell (2m, good) eight days ago; 7lb penalty shouldn't preclude another big effort.

6/4

9

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Grand Scheme

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Three-time Flat winner (1m-1m6f) for Richard Hannon; having only his fifth start over hurdles when scoring by 15l at Southwell (2m, good) eight days ago; 7lb penalty shouldn't preclude another big effort.

6/4

1st

5

12th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Grand Scheme

10st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

took keen hold, prominent

11/2

12/1

Form: 322140 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Has proved himself at Goodwood on varied ground; in good form this term before major backward steps on last two outings, tailed off on latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

5th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Nottingham

Orin Swift

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Jonathan Portman

He's not a frequent winner but has scored here and is regularly on the premises; acts on soft; has a good first-time-out record and a competitive mark; shortlisted.

7/1

3rd

4

(10)

9th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Goodwood

Orin Swift

11st 12lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Jonathan Portman

pressed leader, led narrowly from over 6f out, pushed along when headed over 2f out, soon rallied, ridden and weakened gradually inside final furlong

25/1

5th

5

(8)

27th Aug 2022

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Goodwood

Orin Swift

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

prominent, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened from over 1f out, lost fourth inside final furlong

12/1

25/1

Form: 2234-5

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
0-16 on Flat turf (has won on AW and over hurdles) but placed last year in the last three of his four runs at Goodwood; competitive on that form but his six runs (four over hurdles) in the last 14 months were all heavy defeats.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(2)

15th Sep 2022

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Zuba

9st 9lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Nick Gifford

held up in rear, going easily and over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ridden and headway to challenge inside final furlong, no extra final 110yds

33/1

6th

9

(2)

27th Aug 2022

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Goodwood

Zuba

8st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Nick Gifford

reluctant to load, started quickly, led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon weakened

25/1

5th

2

(2)

7th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:52 Leicester

Zuba

10st 2lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Nick Gifford

led at steady pace, pushed along and headed over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out

10/1

Form: 00-610 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to soft, well beaten both runs on soft; only two wins from 19 starts but one came when getting up close home in five-runner race at Sandown (1m6f) last month; 40-1, tailed off trying 2m on latest; sparking only once last term is a concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:25 Gowran Park

Sovereign Duke

11st 3lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: M A Gunn

Dual-purpose; lost form since promising second off 97 at Tipperary back in May 2023; changed yards after another below par effort at Cork on latest off 86; mark falling but hard to fancy on recent efforts; needs a revival.

16/1

16th

18

31st Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:45 Curragh

Sovereign Duke

12st 0lb

J: Joan Widger

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Dual Flat winner in Britain but regressive since moving to Ireland; oppose.

66/1

10th

10

5th Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 100y

15:35 Cork

Sovereign Duke

11st 5lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Formerly useful on the level and was second in handicap hurdle last summer; regressive since and little encouragement to be taken from recent efforts.

20/1

Form: 2432 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Useful bumper winner; showed plenty on good ground in his qualifying runs when switched to the Flat and runner-up at Ffos Las (1m6f, good to soft) early this month when 10-11 in his first handicap; it looked like he had more to offer but he was a disappointing favourite over 2m here yesterday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

27th Aug 2022

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Goodwood

Our Jester

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hughie Morrison

Useful bumper winner; showed plenty on good ground in his qualifying runs when switched to the Flat and runner-up at Ffos Las (1m6f, good to soft) early this month when 10-11 in his first handicap; it looked like he had more to offer but he was a disappointing favourite over 2m here yesterday.

8/1

5th

7

(1)

26th Aug 2022

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Goodwood

Our Jester

9st 1lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Hughie Morrison

dwelt start, midfield, shaken up over 3f out, ridden and weakened from over 2f out (trainer said gelding was unsuited by the undulating nature of the track)

7/2

Form: 48-238

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Good comeback run at Nottingham (1m2f, good) and, after two backward steps, fair third at Ffos Las (1m4f) yesterday; showed his form last term on good to soft (below form on soft) and separately at up to 1m6f but others are a bit more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

18:10 Stratford

Amalfi Bay

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

midfield, towards rear with one circuit to go, headway when not fluent 2 out

4/1

4th

6

12th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Amalfi Bay

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Fair Flat performer (stayed at least 1m6f); promise in maiden/novice hurdles last year and possibly found soft ground against him when pulled up on handicap hurdle debut; back on track when returned to a better surface with a close second at Stratford (2m3f, good) last month; shouldn't be far away off a small rise.

2/1

2nd

5

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:50 Stratford

Amalfi Bay

11st 1lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Useful on the Flat for the Charltons; promise in maiden/novice hurdles last year and perhaps found soft ground against him when pulled up on handicap hurdle debut ten weeks ago; may fare better returned to drying ground.

7/2

Non-runners

Our Jester, Amalfi Bay

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.30
Straight Forecast £5.49
Tricast £12.69
Trifecta £20.40

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Our Jester

SPOTLIGHT:

Secret Shadow

POSTDATA:

Aggagio

The Times:

Amalfi Bay

Daily Record:

Grand Scheme

RP Ratings:

Ravens Ark

Telegraph:

Our Jester

Daily Mail:

Our Jester

Daily Mirror:

Our Jester

The Sun:

Aggagio

The Guardian:

Secret Shadow

Daily Express:

Secret Shadow

The Star:

Secret Shadow