September 02 / 16.08 Goodwood

16.08

Soft

Royal Sussex Regiment Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
RTV
View Course
Royal Sussex Regiment Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 0-2305 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Perhaps handicapped about right but was bang there in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes (good to firm) when last seen in June and today's softer surface will be welcomed; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(5)

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 2y

Class 2

16:03 Pontefract

Divine Comedy

9st 1lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

0-6 this year but has often run really well, finishing second at Goodwood (2m, heavy) last month and fourth of 22 in the Cesarewitch (2m2f, good to firm) nine days ago; she's a leading candidate today.

2/5

2

(4)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Divine Comedy

9st 5lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

No win this year but she's run with credit every time except for in the Chester Cup; serious traffic problems when fifth of 20 off today's mark at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) on penultimate start; each-way player.

12/1

1

(2)

2nd Sep 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:08 Goodwood

Divine Comedy

10st 2lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Perhaps handicapped about right but was bang there in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes (good to firm) when last seen in June and today's softer surface will be welcomed; good chance.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 2-2100 CD

Last run: 66 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Progressive in 2023 and 2024, nearly winning last season's Cesarewitch on soft ground; fast ground and a dodgy draw were feasible excuses for his last two defeats; C&D winner and still on a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(12)

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Manxman

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Progressive in 2023, 2024 and 2025; that included getting pipped in the 2024 Cesarewitch (2m2f, soft) and two big runs last year at Goodwood; runner-up in his 2024 and 2025 reappearances, though not in such good races as this one; would have a lot more to prove on good to firm ground than good or softer, but this 2026 return is off a competitive mark.

18/1

2

(1)

2nd Sep 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:08 Goodwood

Manxman

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Progressive in 2023 and 2024, nearly winning last season's Cesarewitch on soft ground; fast ground and a dodgy draw were feasible excuses for his last two defeats; C&D winner and still on a competitive mark.

5/1

Form: 5-2508

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Has the form to feature and won't mind the ground; however, while there were excuses in the Northumberland Plate, Yarmouth last time was thoroughly underwhelming and now goes in a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Whos Glen

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Useful Flat racer who made the frame on four of his five hurdling starts for Donald McCain last season, most notably when third in valuable series final at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in March; well beaten in good-quality Flat handicap last month but ought to play a significant role in this.

5/2

15th

4

(17)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Whos Glen

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Donald McCain

9-1 when fifth in the Chester Cup last year for Andrew Balding, which is as good as he's ever been on Flat; 7lb lower today, having been right off the boil for that yard later in 2025; recent hurdle efforts for new stable aren't enough to persuade, especially given such a wide draw.

33/1

2nd

5

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:10 Sedgefield

Whos Glen

11st 5lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

A useful winning stayer on the Flat for Andrew Balding; yet to match that form in this sphere but he posted his best effort when third of ten in 2m4f handicap at Musselburgh 12 days ago; not out of things on this stiffer track.

5/2

Form: -43153 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won this three years ago and was third in 2023; added another course win on soft this June (4lb lower) and his latest effort on ground quick enough wasn't too shoddy; solid candidate.
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: 363-02 BF

Last run: 123 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Dual winner in Ireland and nearly added a third career success on second run for this yard when nosed out over 1m6f (good) here in early May; absent since but fitness is unlikely to be an issue; effective on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:29 Newmarket (July)

Sixpack

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: James Owen

Three wins this season (1m4f-1m6f); bounced back from poor AW run when close second to Arqoob here (1m4f, good to firm) three weeks ago and might still have a bigger performance in him over this longer trip; respected.

7/2

2nd

3

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:58 Newmarket (July)

Sixpack

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Owen

Has done well over 1m4f-1m6f on turf this term, winning three times from six starts; latest win came easily at this track (1m6f, good to firm) in June and he's 7lb higher today; tailing off so badly at Southwell four weeks ago may be offputting but he came last in 2025 in his only other AW race, so perhaps can spring back to life with today's return to turf.

6/1

4th

1

(2)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Sixpack

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: James Owen

Has done well over 1m4f-1m6f on turf this term, winning three times from five starts; scored easily at Newmarket latest; better than ever and may improve further in his current form; respected assuming he's as effective back at 2m and returned to AW.

7/4

Form: -62247

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who has been threatening and ran well at the big meeting here over 1m4f; only 5-1 for the recent 1m6f Melrose at York and didn't disgrace himself; the only 3yo in today's field and stepping up to 2m could suit; handles all ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Novelista

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Warren Greatrex

Acts on good and heavy ground; won off 2lb lower over C&D for Charlie Johnston last autumn and he ran well over hurdles last month, on his second run for current yard; seems tactically versatile and he's in the mix off a workable mark back on the Flat.

9/2

2nd

7

1st Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Novelista

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Useful on the Flat for Charlie Johnston, proving reliable and winning 2m handicap at Goodwood (heavy) last autumn (sold for 165,000gns soon after); 9-2, weakened to finish a well-held sixth of ten in Ascot juvenile (2m, soft) on hurdle debut in January; should be capable of a lot better in this sphere.

2/1

6th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 157y

Class 3

12:25 Ascot

Novelista

11st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Not far off useful on the Flat for Charlie Johnston, proving reliable and winning 2m handicap at Goodwood (heavy) last autumn; changed hands for 165,000gns in October; likely to be suited by longer distances in due course but he commands respect on his hurdling debut even so.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.90
Straight Forecast £15.19
Trifecta £37.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Manxman

Telegraph:

Divine Comedy

TOPSPEED:

Aggagio

The Times:

Novelista

The Sun:

Sixpack

RP RATINGS:

Who's Glen

The Guardian:

Novelista

NEWMARKET:

Manxman

The Star:

Manxman

Daily Record:

Sixpack

D Express:

Divine Comedy

Daily Mirror:

Divine Comedy

POSTDATA:

Aggagio

Daily Mail:

Aggagio