GOODWOOD

2:50 LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER FESTIVAL STAKES (LISTED RACE) (CLASS 1) (4yo+) 1m2f

BLUE KSAR 9-1 ~ His fine 3rd in the Group 2 Celebration Mile here last season puts him in with a good chance in todays race. He is probably slightly better over a mile but he is more than capable over the extra two furlongs. The 7 month break shouldn’t be a concern as he has proven to be equally effective when fresh. The ground however is a big concern as he needs ideally wants to get his toe into the ground and he ran a disappointing race last season over course and distance when faced with firm ground. The stable are coming back to form and despite the ground he should be involved at the finish.

BALLINTENI 8-12 ~ Former stable mate of Blue Ksar but he doesn’t have the class of that rival. Arguably his best effort came here at the Glorious Goodwood meeting when chasing home Purple Moon in a Listed event. He was comfortably beaten in 6th however so despite an encouraging win in a Ripon handicap last time he is sure to be outclassed stepped into pattern company again.

SIXTIES ICON 8-12 ~ Winner of the 2006 St Leger so he has plenty of class but the drop down in trip raises a question mark as to whether it will suit. However he looks a particular speedy horse given how well he stays so in this company the drop down in trip might not prove that big a disadvantage. He lost his way last season after winning the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes but apparently a reason has been found and treated and his reappearance was very encouraging. He is sure to come on for the run and as a previous course winner he has to be respected.

SPICE ROUTE 8-12 ~ Another who would prefer some cut in the ground and he travels well through his races before finding disappointingly little. As a result he has a series of decent placed efforts but has yet to win outside of handicap company. He is sure to run his race but he is likely to find at least a couple too strong at the finish.

SWEET LILLY 8-10 ~ 4th in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes last year over course and distance and a reproduction of that effort would put the filly in with a great chance. This is the first time since then that Mick Channons filly has had the same race conditions and there is a chance she could bounce back to the same level of form. However she pulls hard and looks a quirky individual so isn’t one to rely on but on her day she is clearly talented. Possible she may have been in need of the run last time after travelling back from Dubai but her effort here last time was disappointing. The likely slow early pace isn’t going to suit her either as she is going to pull Richard Hughes’ arms off. A risky betting proposition but she is a big price on the best of her form.

CONCLUSION

Sixties Icon is the class act in the field and given how well he can stay Ryan Moore is sure to make sure the race doesn’t turn into a sprint. The horse has been ridden prominently before and a leading role is likely again. He has proven to have a good turn of foot as well and he’ll be hard to beat. Blue Ksar would prefer softer ground and has to concede 3lbs to the favourite so he looks up against it. Sweet Lilly is an interesting outsider on the best of her form. However Sixties Icon looked to have a bright future before things went awry and the breathing operation appears to have him back to his best after an encouraging reappearance. He’ll be hard to beat and the race distance doesn’t appear likely to stop the horse entering the winners enclosure once again.

2pt WIN – SIXTIES ICON @ 10/11

RESULT

SIXTIES ICON 1st +1.82pts