GOODWOOD 15:00

All 20 ran.

Time: 1m 35.28s Closing Sectional: (4f): 47.15s (101%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 135%, Betfair SP 98.9%

A strong renewal of this valuable handicap, a trio of last-time-out winners carrying just a 3 lb penalty filling the first 3 places, whilst last year's winner was in fourth, one of the two 3-y-os in the line up coming out on top and scoring in the style of one destined for better things; typically for big-field events around here there was a bit of trouble in running, but essentially it was a cleaner race than is often the case and there were no real hard-luck stories, the strong gallop helping to string them out a bit.

BEAT LE BON (FR) continues to thrive, taking another significant step forward to complete the hat-trick in ready fashion under a 3-lb penalty, benefiting from luck in running but firmly on top at the line, as expected having no problems with this longer trip; mid-field, enjoyed clean run up the inner from 3f out, led 1f out and kept on well; probably has listed/minor pattern races next on the agenda and is already at a level to make an impact in such contests, whilst further progress can't be ruled out.

VALE OF KENT (IRE) after just 6 days off, quickly confirmed himself still at the top of his game, beaten only by a 3-y-o who is going places and doing well to sustain his effort having been in the firing line throughout; got across from wide draw to press leader, raced freely, went on 2f out, headed 1f out, stuck to task; appeals as the type who'll become a standing dish in these top-end handicaps, a straightforward front runner who takes his racing well.

ESCOBAR (IRE) under a penalty for facile York success, again ran well returned to a more competitive environment, his strong-travelling style ideal for these big-field handicaps; mid-field, travelled fluently, had to weave way through from 3f out, got gap entering final 1f, kept on; this does have to go down as a bit of a missed opportunity though, due to be 3 lb higher in the weights when next seen.

SENIORITY off a 3 lb higher mark than when successful in last year's renewal (without a win since), ran his best race of the year to underline his effectiveness on tracks of this nature, and he would have been a bit closer had he got a clean run through, making headway towards the inner when hampered over 1f out, keeping on final 1f to grab a place.

BALTIC BARON (IRE) in first-time visor after just 7 days off, left the impression he'd have shown improved form had he enjoyed a fair shake of the dice; mid-field, hampered after 3f, had to wait for gap from 2f out, got gap entering final 1f, finished with running left; bar one blip when probably amiss he's been a model of consistency for this yard, and will probably continue to give a good account.

MOJITO (IRE) under a penalty for Sandown win (when having Escobar behind him), was again strong in the betting 3 lb 'well in' but not in quite the same form, things not working out so well for him on this occasion, unable to get to the front and lit up as a result; chased leaders, not settle fully, pushed along 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final 1f, did too much too soon; still low mileage for his age and it would be no surprise were he to get back on the up next time.

GOSSIPING after 9 weeks off, ran about as well as could be expected having been hit hard for his Epsom romp, now on a career-high mark; mid-field, shaken up around 2f out, headway soon after, effort flattened out final 1f.

ORIGINAL CHOICE (IRE) back down in trip and without the headgear this time, is back down to his last winning mark and took a step back in the right direction with De Sousa up, not far off the form he showed for his previous yard; handy, every chance over 1f out, weakened final 100 yds.

GAME PLAYER (IRE) after 6 weeks off, wasn't seen to best effect without looking particularly unlucky, likely to have struggled to make the frame even if he had enjoyed more luck in running; handy, effort over 2f out, looking one paced when badly hampered over 1f out, not recover; this is only the second time he's been out of the frame since his 2-y-o days, so he appeals as the type to bounce back quickly

WAR GLORY (IRE) back up in trip, ran to a similar level to last time, and though he'd have been a bit closer with a better trip, he's got plenty on his plate from current mark in these top-end handicaps; mid-division, short of room 2f out, keeping on when denied a run again final 1f, never landed a blow.

WHAT'S THE STORY back in usual cheekpieces returned to 1m, but produced just about his worst display of the year, the track an obvious starting point when looking for excuses; mid-division, pushed along 3f out, struggling when not clear run over 1f out; still looks feasibly weighted and worth another chance.

AFAAK underperformed after a couple of big efforts to start his campaign, and it's worth bearing in mind his form tailed off in the second half of last season; mid-field, switched to outer around 2f out, not quicken.

KEY VICTORY (IRE) is better judged on previous form, things not going his way this time; slowly into stride and dropped in from worst of draw, no room from 2f out until got gap 1f out, left with no chance from position and never landed a blow.

HISTORY WRITER (IRE) arrived in reasonable heart and can have this run ignored; waited with, had no room to fully open up from 2f out, finished with running left.

DARK VISION (IRE) was below form in first-time blinkers and is developing a slightly up-and-down profile; raced wide, mid-division, not quicken.

SO BELOVED back in hood, found run of creditable efforts coming to a halt; very slowly away, in rear, keeping on when denied a run 1f out, not recover.

ZHUI FENG (IRE) back in headgear, underperformed and has gone the wrong way from his reappearance; forced pace, headed 2f out, dropped away.

CLON COULIS (IRE) was returned to a big-field environment but ran poorly and her Hunt Cup second remains a standout this year; in rear, bumped 3f out, effort over 2f out, not quicken, never a threat.

INDEED proved to be a disappointment, this his first poor effort since joining current yard, the way he checked out suggesting all may not have been well; close up, weakened from 2f out.

LUSH LIFE (IRE) ran poorly in first-time blinkers; in rear, held when not clear run over 1f out.