Racecards
14:35 Goodwood
Qatar Richmond Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £200,000 added
- Winner: £113,420
- 2nd: £43,000
- 3rd: £21,520
- 4th: £10,720
- Form 11221
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 110
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd over 1f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead close home
- Form 11
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer C Appleby
- Jockey James Doyle
led, edging right from 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed when hung right inside final furlong, headed close home
- Form 212
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey R L Moore
tracked leader, pushed along and every chance 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong, eased when held close home
- Form 621
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer C Hills
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
took keen hold, tracked leading trio, ridden and beaten over 1f out
Ardad (IRE)
21- Form 119
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey R Havlin
NonRunner
Verdict
The Hannon’s yard impressive record in this contest makes Group 2 July Stakes winner Mehmas a leading contender. He narrowly beat Ballydoyle colt and today’s rival Intelligence Cross at Newmarket, though Aidan O’Brien will fancy his chances of reversing the form with Mehmas carrying a 3lb penalty. The previously unbeaten Windsor Castle winner Ardad was a big disappointment in the July Stakes while Waqaas did not beat much when landing the odds at Doncaster but could have been found an easier opportunity than this. However, BLUE POINT convinced many they had seen a future star in the making when the Godolphin colt barely broke sweat to win by 11 lengths on Town Moor a fortnight ago and Charlie Appleby’s charge can take this step up in class in his stride.
Formwatch
Mehmas (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Intelligence Cross (9-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Blue Point (IRE) 3-10fav (9-8) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, clear over 1f out, readily, won at Doncaster 6f stks (4) gf in Jul beating Shamsaya (9-3) by 11l, 6 ran.
Intelligence Cross (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Slightly hampered start, in rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, effort to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Mehmas (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Waqaas 8-15fav (9-5) Made all, shaken up to draw clear well over 1f out, very easily, won at Doncaster 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Jul beating Used To Be (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Ardad (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 7 1/4l behind Mehmas (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.