August 03 / 15.00 Goodwood

15.00

Good To Soft

John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £113420
  • 1m 3f 218y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
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John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/2 (Won)

Form: 131-81 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
His wins as 2yo came on soft and heavy; narrow winner of 19-runner handicap at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good) six weeks ago, helped by the leaders going too fast but showing markedly improved form nevertheless and, after just five races, he could be open to further progress; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(4)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Desert Hero

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won C&D handicap (good) at this meeting 12 months ago and followed up in Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood (1m4f, soft); campaign concluded with third to Continuous in the St Leger (1m6f, soft) and returned with near-miss over inadequate 1m2f in Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown (good to soft); disappointing at Newbury since but the Sandown effort firmly indicated he was set for a very good year, and he can play a leading role if bouncing back.

13/2

5th

3

(7)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Desert Hero

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Most progressive at three, winning Royal Ascot handicap and Group 3 Gordon at Goodwood (both 1m4f) before fine third in the St Leger (gelded after); excellent effort when only narrowly denied in 1m2f Sandown Group 3 on reappearance; the return to 1m4f looks sure to see him in a better light and he'll be tough to beat for a yard with good recent record in this.

11/8

5th

3

(7)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Desert Hero

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Most progressive at three, winning Royal Ascot handicap and Group 3 Gordon at Goodwood (both 1m4f) before fine third in the St Leger (gelded after); excellent effort when only narrowly denied in 1m2f Sandown Group 3 on reappearance; the return to 1m4f looks sure to see him in a better light and he'll be tough to beat for a yard with good recent record in this.

11/8

Form: 1-3131 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Three wins include a 1m4f handicap at York's Dante meeting in May, coming from off the pace, and 1m3f Listed race at Hamilton (good to soft; evens) 13 days ago, making all; his defeats were on soft ground on reappearance and when third in the 1m6f Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot but he's found a bit of improvement every time and has some of the best form in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Chesspiece

9st 0lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

prominent early, in touch with leaders after 1f, smooth headway and went second 6f out

10/1

6th

6

(2)

23rd May 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

19:07 Sandown

Chesspiece

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

disputed lead, prominent after 2f, lost ground over 3f out, weakened and eased 2f out

5/1

Form: 1195

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Half-brother Youth Spirit was fourth in this race in 2021; second win was a Listed contest at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) in April; disappointing in the Dante at York but back on song when fifth of 16 in Group 3 at Royal Ascot, both about 1m2f on good to firm; stuck to his task admirably last time as if well worth a crack at 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

23rd Aug 2023

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Canberra Legend

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Half-brother Youth Spirit was third in this race in 2021; second win was a Listed contest at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) in April; disappointing in the Dante at York but back on song when fifth of 16 in Group 3 at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) and third of six in Group 3 at Goodwood (1m4f, soft; Artistic Star fourth); needs better still to take this, which is what the same connections' Deauville Legend managed in it 12 months ago.

16/1

3rd

3

(1)

3rd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Canberra Legend

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Half-brother Youth Spirit was fourth in this race in 2021; second win was a Listed contest at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) in April; disappointing in the Dante at York but back on song when fifth of 16 in Group 3 at Royal Ascot, both about 1m2f on good to firm; stuck to his task admirably last time as if well worth a crack at 1m4f.

13/2

5th

5

(6)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Canberra Legend

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Won on debut at Newcastle (1m, AW) in February and finished well to follow up in Listed race at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) in April; something to prove after his Group 2 Dante disappointment (10.2f, good to firm) but that's not his true form and he retains potential.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-173

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won Nottingham maiden (8.3f, soft) and Sandown novice (1m2f, good to soft) on first two starts; came from well behind when 11l seventh in the Derby at Epsom and improved again when an always-prominent third of six in King Edward VII at Royal Ascot, both 1m4f on good to firm; respected but to win this would normally require a bit more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:45 Salisbury

Artistic Star

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Without a win since May 2023 and only four ran when second in a 2m Newbury handicap in July; new cheekpieces did nothing for him when down the field at York last time and he now goes in blinkers.

6/1

2

(8)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Artistic Star

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Ran creditably on good to firm ground on his first and penultimate turf attempts this season; beaten a neck by Almuhit over 2m in the latter but in just a four-runner race; edging down the weights but others are a bit more persuasive; no win since May 2023 and connections turn to headgear.

14/1

5th

5

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Goodwood

Artistic Star

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Ran respectably on soft here two years ago; downgraded from Group contests to handicaps for last five outings, running creditably on first and latest attempts this season; they were over 1m6f and 2m, beaten a neck last time but in just a four-runner race; this event is more competitive.

18/1

16/1

Form: 416511

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Made all and stretched well clear in six-runner handicap at Newbury and showed he does not have to dictate the pace when following up under Neil Callan again in 15-runner handicap at Royal Ascot (again 1m2f on good to firm) where he was quickly in charge from 2f out; going great guns but this return to 1m4f is not sure to suit and this level demands a fair bit more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:50 Kempton

Burdett Road

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: James Owen

Not in top form since returned to the Flat but solid hurdles record (1121322) suggests a resurgence is likely; ran creditably, albeit fortunate to finish second the way things panned out, in the Champion Hurdle when last seen in this sphere; has the best chance at the weights.

4/5

6th

3

(2)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Burdett Road

9st 7lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: James Owen

Runner-up (albeit fortunate) in the Champion Hurdle in March and easily made all in this last year (soft; seems versatile ground-wise); he enjoyed the run of the race 12 months ago and hasn't shone on his two Flat starts this year, but he drops back in grade today and may once more benefit from an uncontested lead; could make another bold bid now back here.

7/1

8th

4

(8)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Burdett Road

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: James Owen

Won the Golden Gates Handicap at this meeting in 2023 (1m2f, good to firm) and was a Listed winner at Newmarket (1m4f, soft) last September; runner-up in the Champion Hurdle in March, albeit fortunate; failed to settle when tailed off back on the Flat at Sandown (2m) last month and this drop back in trip seems a likely plus, but a Flat career best is required.

20/1

13/8

Form: 212-1 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Thoroughly proved himself in the mud as 2yo, notably when beaten a head in Group 1 at Saint-Cloud (1m, heavy) in October; that form has taken some knocks and reappearance one month ago was not at that level but he gradually worked his way to the front for a tidy win in that Listed race at Roscommon (11.7f, good to yielding; 11-10 favourite) and looks set to build on that performance, including with greater stamina tests.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

3rd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Espionage

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Thoroughly proved himself in the mud as 2yo, notably when beaten a head in Group 1 at Saint-Cloud (1m, heavy) in October; that form has taken some knocks and reappearance one month ago was not at that level but he gradually worked his way to the front for a tidy win in that Listed race at Roscommon (11.7f, good to yielding; 11-10 favourite) and looks set to build on that performance, including with greater stamina tests.

13/8

1st

6

(6)

4th Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 3f 154y

19:50 Roscommon

Espionage

8st 12lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

prominent, nudged along 3f out, pushed along under 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, pushed out towards finish, comfortably

5/4

1st

6

(2)

25th Sep 2022

Soft

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

Espionage

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

sweating, made all, raced far side, pushed along 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well final furlong

100/30

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £31.14

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Espionage

TOPSPEED:

Desert Hero

POSTDATA:

Artistic Star

SPOTLIGHT:

Canberra Legend

The Times:

Espionage

Telegraph:

Espionage

The Guardian:

Espionage

Daily Mail:

Espionage

D Express:

Espionage

Daily Mirror:

Espionage

The Sun:

Espionage

Daily Record:

Espionage

The Star:

Desert Hero