March Stakes Guide 2021

Goodwood - August 27 2021
Goodwood 14:00
4(5)
David Egan

Nagano

J:
 
David Egan
T:
 
Roger Varian
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 101
Days: 31

The three year old for Roger Varian has been seen five times during his career, starting out in April of this year when a good third behind two nice types over a mile.

He then went to Nottingham over 10f and got off the mark and backed that up when reversing the form with Peter The Great at Newcastle.

Seeking a hat-trick he was sent to Royal Ascot for the King George V Handicap and could only finish a tame sixth, having not had not much luck in running.

Looking to put things write he went to Glorious Goodwood over 12f, and under a great ride by David Egan he went from last to front to land the event in a competitive field.

Stepped up another two furlongs and back at a track he handles well makes him the one to beat.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/08/21GOO14Gd9-22
28/07/21GOO12Sft9-31
17/06/21ASC12GF9-16
25/05/21NCS10St9-71
07/05/21NOT10GS9-21
Goodwood - August 27 2021
Goodwood 14:00
2(3)
Joe Fanning

Dancing King

J:
 
Joe Fanning
T:
 
Mark Johnston
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 100
Days: 7

Only seen 12 days ago for Mark Johnston, Dancing King went down narrowly to Yesyes at Chester, only being denied by a short head.

Gelded as a 2 year old after an unsuccessful spell as a juvenile, he returned to the course in March in fine form and quickly notched up a striking four timer over 11-14 furlongs.

Dropped in at the deep end for the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot he was well enough fancied in the market.

Being squeezed for room at a critical moment didn’t help his chances and he ended up fading back into 8th.

He’s struggled to regain the winning thread since. Beaten in group and listed company over extended trips.

Bumping into subsequent Great Voltigeur winner Yibir at Newmarket before his narrow 2nd to Yesyes at Chester last week.

He did give 5lbs away to Yesyes at Chester as the two locked horns in a fight to the finish so the form is probably better than advertised.

He’s already won over the trip and is only officially 1lb worse off than the market leader. He’s sure to give the favourite a race.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/08/21GOO14Gd9-21
21/08/21CHS14.5Gd8-72
08/07/21NMK13GF9-13
16/06/21ASC14GF9-08
05/06/21DON14.5GF9-71
Goodwood - August 27 2021
Goodwood 14:00
3(4)
Jack Mitchell

Juan De Montalban

J:
 
Jack Mitchell
T:
 
David O'Meara
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 100
Days: 97

Trained by David O’Meara, Juan De Montalban hasn’t been seen on the course since late May when coming 2nd in a group 2 race over in Italy.

That was the Colt’s only run for an Italian trainer, having left the care of Andrew Balding. His form for Balding was impressive having yielded two wins from only five career outings.

He took a couple of attempts to come good for connections but won in fine style in his last juvenile outing when bounding clear over 9 furlongs at Goodwood on bottomless ground.

Returning to the track as a 3 year old he won again under Oisin Murphy to beat Fabilis, who was easily dispatched by Nagano Gold at Goodwood recently.

A short trip abroad yielded a narrow miss in group 2 company and he’s now moved back to English shores to be trained by David O’Meara. He stayed on well in Italy over 11 furlongs and hinted that further would certainly suit.

He’s tried group company before and could bring about further improvement for a switch in yards.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
19/08/22YOR12Gd9-118
22/07/22ASC12GF10-21
14/06/22ASC14GF9-614
07/05/22ASC12Gd9-41
09/04/22THI12Sft9-74
Goodwood - August 27 2021
Goodwood 14:00
1(2)
Oisin Murphy

Classic Lord

J:
 
Oisin Murphy
T:
 
Andrew Balding
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 90
Days: 37

The potent mix of Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy team up with Classic Lord.

This 3 year old has graduated from the handicap ranks after securing 2 wins in novice and maiden company as a juvenile.

Despite being beaten off a mark of 80 on seasonal return, he’s quickly improved having defied marks of 78 and 87 this season already.

Wins coming on deep ground over 12 furlongs and fast ground over 14 furlongs.

Already notching a win over the trip, the son of Lord Of England has looked all stamina and oozed class and heart to win his last start.

Officially he looks to have a bit to find with those dominating the market but he’s struck up a solid partnership with Murphy and could have some more improvement under the bonnet.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/02/24SAN20Sft12-02
26/12/23AIN20Sft9-95
15/12/23BAN16.5Hy11-71
19/11/23FON17.5Hy11-01
26/10/23LUD16GS11-23
Goodwood - August 27 2021
Goodwood 14:00
5(1)
Frankie Dettori

White Pepper

J:
 
Frankie Dettori
T:
 
Gavin Cromwell
Age: 3
Weight: 8-13
OR: 84
Days: 14

Gaving Cromwell brings over 80 rated 3 year old filly White Pepper. Already she looks to have a mountain to climb with her rating being much lower than her rivals.

A twelve race maiden, she finally got her head in front when last seen winning at Tramore over 12 furlongs.

After being highly tried over a mix of trips, improvement seemed to be unlocked when moving up in trip.

Despite being beaten over 7 furlongs to 10.5 furlongs, going over a longer distance when last seen seemed to draw out improvement and she finally broke her maiden status.

Going over further will probably suit but she has plenty to find on official figures.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/03/22CHL16.5GS11-019
26/02/22FAI16.5Sft10-113
28/01/22DON16.5Gd10-123
09/01/22FAI16Sft10-121
04/12/21AIN17Sft10-123