May 23 / 16.20 Goodwood

16.20

Good To Soft

Avastra Funds Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Avastra Funds Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £2.00

Form: /41-26 BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
All the rage in the betting for both starts this term; the line came a touch too soon for his strong finish at Newbury (1m2f) on handicap/seasonal debut, while trying to come from further off the pace did not work out at Ascot on the step up to 1m4f but he did muster some late headway (despite hanging right); that sees him upped further in trip today with first-time headgear; it will be interesting to see whether his backers dare go in again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Valedictory

8st 8lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

All the rage in the betting for both starts this term; the line came a touch too soon for his strong finish at Newbury (1m2f) on handicap/seasonal debut, while trying to come from further off the pace did not work out at Ascot on the step up to 1m4f but he did muster some late headway (despite hanging right); that sees him upped further in trip today with first-time headgear; it will be interesting to see whether his backers dare go in again.

15/8

6th

10

(11)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Valedictory

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: John & Thady Gosden

All the rage in the betting but found the line coming just too soon for his strong finish when second (Bulletin close up in third) of 14 to Rathgar (won again since) on 1m2f Newbury handicap debut and reappearance three weeks ago; that first experience of a big-field handicap should aid his development and he left the strong impression 1m4f will suit; leading claims with further improvement highly.

7/4

2nd

3

(2)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Newbury

Valedictory

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Close on good ground on both turf starts, latterly over 1m2f at the Newmarket Craven meeting last April; gelded that July and won a novice at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW; easily in the end at 1-3) in October, which makes him unexposed and promising for this seasonal and handicap debut for in-form yard.

11/4

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 11021-

Last run: 228 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (good to firm; 25-1) was the only blemish in his five-race 3yo career, which he ended with a narrow but game front-running win in handicap at Leicester (1m4f, good to soft); raised 6lb but worth another go at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(9)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Spinning Wheel

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (good to firm; 25-1) was the only blemish in his five-race 3yo career, which he ended with a narrow but game front-running win in handicap at Leicester (1m4f, good to soft); raised 6lb but worth another go at this trip.

8/1

1st

6

(2)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 3

17:02 Leicester

Spinning Wheel

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Well beaten in the Queen's Vase after winning his first two races; hammered by the winner on recent handicap debut at Ayr (1m5f, good to soft) but that was after three months away and he might strip fitter now.

8/1

2

(1)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:20 Ayr

Spinning Wheel

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Took novice events at Beverley (1m2f, good) in April and Yarmouth (11.5f, good to soft) in the spring; well held when pitched into the Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) in June but retains obvious unexposed potential now handicapping after three months off.

13/8

Form: 413-24 CD BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Her second win last year came over C&D (good to soft); career-best form when second at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft) on reappearance, meeting trouble in running, but she could not lay a glove on the principals when returned to 1m4f at Ripon (good) three weeks later; return to 1m6f will presumably help and might offset good ground if it dries out; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(5)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Dancingwithmyself

8st 11lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Bell

Her second win last year came over C&D (good to soft); career-best form when second at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft) on reappearance, meeting trouble in running, but she could not lay a glove on the principals when returned to 1m4f at Ripon (good) three weeks later; return to 1m6f will presumably help and might offset good ground if it dries out; one to consider.

8/1

4th

4

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Ripon

Dancingwithmyself

8st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Bell

Close second in this race (good) on her 2025 reappearance and went on to score twice at about 1m6f later in the year; returned with a career-best second of 13 at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft) three weeks ago, arguably deserving extra credit considering she met a bit of trouble; successful on her two other visits to Ripon; reasons to be positive.

2/1

2nd

4

(8)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Dancingwithmyself

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Bell

Not the most consistent but won twice last season, latterly in clearcut fashion with a late bid at Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) in September despite suffering trouble in running; 6lb higher today but she went close on last year's return and her yard is among the winners on AW; on the shortlist.

5/1

Form: 461-50

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Third turf win was a narrow one at Newbury (2m, good; rallying) in April on his final start last year; may have needed his 2026 reappearance and the unusual test of the Chester Cup might excuse his disappointing show next time, but a revival is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(6)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Moon Over Miami

8st 13lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Third turf win was a narrow one at Newbury (2m, good; rallying) in April on his final start last year; may have needed his 2026 reappearance and the unusual test of the Chester Cup might excuse his disappointing show next time, but a revival is needed.

11/2

11th

9

(7)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Moon Over Miami

8st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Lightly raced 5yo who won the first three of his four races on turf, including a narrow rallying win at Newbury (2m, good) last April; absent afterwards until below-form joint-second favourite from the front at Musselburgh (1m6f) five weeks ago but he should be a lot more potent with today's trip and that run under his belt; interesting.

8/1

5th

2

(2)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Moon Over Miami

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Just six races and won his only three on turf; three on AW early last year before he battled his way to a narrow front-running win at Newbury (2m, good) last April; absent since and while he shaped as if he could make into a smart performer, that may be a bit more likely at 2m+.

9/2

Form: 338-04

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
No win since 2yo, having come up short in Group races, Listed races and four handicaps; fourth of 14 off this mark at Ascot (1m4f) latest was his closest finish in that winless period and he kept on well, so some hope is revived.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Too Soon

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

No win since 2yo, having come up short in Group races, Listed races and four handicaps; fourth of 14 off this mark at Ascot (1m4f) latest was his closest finish in that winless period and he kept on well, so some hope is revived.

14/1

4th

6

(10)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Too Soon

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Largely in good nick last season but winless since 2024 and well held on 1m2f Doncaster reappearance (good to soft) six weeks ago.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 404-12 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
2024 C&D winner who broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared with restored cheekpieces at Kempton (2m, AW) in March; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) confirmed that he's turned a corner and must remain in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

2024 C&D winner who broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared with restored cheekpieces at Kempton (2m, AW) in March; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) confirmed that he's turned a corner and must remain in serious calculations.

3/1

2nd

5

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Align The Stars

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Thereabouts on occasions in 2025, crept down the weights and broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared five weeks ago wearing restored cheekpieces in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW); back up 4lb but showed plenty of bottle in that win and may have turned a corner.

6/1

1st

4

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 9lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

On a losing run of 13 since his hat-trick in summer 2024; has dropped in the weights, was thereabouts on occasions in 2025 and it can be argued that today's headgear switch will help, but there's a bit for him to prove on AW (it's only his third AW race) and others have more pressing claims.

12/1

Form: /4630- D

Last run: 224 days

W: 9st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Sixth off 1lb higher in last year's 1m6f Ebor at York and third in the 2m2f Doncaster Cup; however, ended last season on a low note and pulled up in hot races for all three starts over hurdles this spring; left Willie Mullins for 15,000gns 16 days ago and blinkers (last worn in Germany in 2023) replace recent cheekpieces; which side he shows today remains to be seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Hipop De Loire

9st 12lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Nick Scholfield

Sixth off 1lb higher in last year's 1m6f Ebor at York and third in the 2m2f Doncaster Cup; however, ended last season on a low note and pulled up in hot races for all three starts over hurdles this spring; left Willie Mullins for 15,000gns 16 days ago and blinkers (last worn in Germany in 2023) replace recent cheekpieces; which side he shows today remains to be seen.

66/1

7

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 190y

16:15 Punchestown

Hipop De Loire

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Classy sort on the Flat, third in last year's Doncaster Cup; 9yo has had just four runs over hurdles, winning Galway maiden last summer, but pulled up on both starts since last month's return, never featuring in Albert Bartlett and again in Grade 2 Fairyhouse novice (Generous Risk second); cheekpieces tried last time persisted with.

33/1

5

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Hipop De Loire

11st 3lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Classy sort on the Flat, third in last year's Doncaster Cup; 9yo has had just three runs over hurdles, winning Galway maiden last summer, most recently returned from five months' absence when pulled up after never featuring in Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham; cheekpieces now tried.

12/1

Non-runners

Chilli Queen, Oneforthegutter, Peaky Blinder, Finalise

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.50
Straight Forecast £18.44
Tricast £77.03
Trifecta £70.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Finalise

SPOTLIGHT:

Align The Stars

The Times:

Valedictory

NEWMARKET:

Spinning Wheel

LAMBOURN:

Peaky Blinder

TOPSPEED:

Oneforthegutter

POSTDATA:

Finalise

Telegraph:

Finalise

The Guardian:

Finalise

D Express:

Finalise

The Sun:

Finalise

The Star:

Finalise

Daily Mail:

Valedictory

Daily Mirror:

Align The Stars

Daily Record:

Align The Stars