Mark Johnston has won this three-year-old handicap three times over the last seven years with Communique winning it for him back in 2018 off a mark of 97.
To win at Glorious Goodwood requires a horse with a good constitution and plenty of toughness. ZABEEL CHAMPION has shown this in abundance on the basis of back-to-back victories over this trip in races that now look strong form on paper.
He was handed an 8lbs rise for his latest win in a competitive handicap at Newmarket when putting in a stout-staying frontrunning display. But despite the rise he could still prove to be much better than his current mark of 91 with just the five career starts.
Zabeel Champion looks a typical hardy Mark Johnstone type and this son of Poet’s Voice experience should count for something in this hot renewal. As compared to the two leading market fancies, Magnetised and A Salt, who have plenty to prove with only five starts between them.
Magnetised is stepping up markedly in grade after a good run last time out and A Salt needs to prove he’s as effective on an undulating turf track after two all-weather Novice wins against average opposition.
I have Zabeel Champion ahead of those two and he should be favourite in my book. Instead he’s a 5/1 shot, which looks just about fair despite the obvious depth in the race.
1pt win Zabeel Champion @5/1, 13:45 Goodwood, Thursday
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