Move Quickly On O’Meara Gelding For King George

Friday’s Group 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood (3.45) is the big 5f sprint of the week in which William Haggas’ Muthmir will look to get his career back on track.

Can Muthmir Bounce Back?

Having impressed in landing a French Group 2 a few months ago, Muthmir was then a creditable third in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (5f, good to firm), but failed to figure in the July Cup at Newmarket earlier this month (6f, good to firm). However, it’s possible the stiff 6f wasn’t ideal, unlike the sharp 5f that awaits at Goodwood.

The fact older runners dominated may also count against 3yo’s like Cotai Glory, who won the big Group 3 sprint for juveniles at this meeting 12 months ago, while the French raider, Goken, is another interesting runner.

A dual Group 3 winner over 5f at home last term, Goken showed blistering pace in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot (6f, good), and this step back to 5f looks the ideal move.

Goken will need to be good if winning, however, as 3yo’s do not have the greatest record in this down the years…

Trends Summary

Of the last 10 King George winners…

10 returned 12/1 or shorter
9 ran in a Class 1 or 2 race last time
9 were 4-8yo’s
9 were officially rated 104+

Time To Move

Punters looking for a more traditional profile – in terms of age, anyway – may want to consider the 7yo, Move In Time.

David O’Meara’s gelding has been there and done it down the years, including of course the Group1 Abbaye last October, and he showed his wellbeing when returning to win a minor sprint at Hamliton last month.

That would have set him up nicely for this, and Move In Time remains the one they all have to beat.

Not far behind Move In Time on ratings is the 5yo, Line Of Reason, who brings Listed success to the table but needs to improve against these seasoned sprinters, although the 6yo, Pearl Secret, already bagged a Group 2 at Haydock in May (5f, good) and was only beaten 1l in the Group 1 King’s Stand at Ascot – just 1/2l behind Muthmir.

Each-Way Prospects

As for the remainder, then the 6yo, Out Do, has to be on the each-way list having narrowly beaten some of these rivals in a blanket finish at York a few weeks back (Cotai Glory third and Line Of Reason fourth). The form of that Listed event will be tested on Friday.

The final mention goes to the 6yo, Justineo, who was beaten under 2l in this race two years ago, and had his confidence boosted when taking a small 5f race at Newmarket a fortnight ago.

Recommended Bets

A really good renewal of this Group 2 sprint featuring Group 1 performers such as Move In Time, who won last season’s big European sprint, the Abbaye, over 5f, and made a winning return last month.