John Gosden hoping Forest Of Dean switch pays dividends in valuable handicap

3.30 Newbury
Dubai Duty Free Handicap | 1m2f | Live on ITV4/RTV

Opposing anything John Gosden runs in recent weeks has not been a great idea and he appears to have another big prize well and truly in his sights with the progressive Forest Of Dean, who won readily at York last month.

The handicapper saw fit to raise the three-year-old 10lb for that success but he gets in this early closing handicap with just a 5lb penalty and therefore remains ahead of the official assessor, something that did not go unnoticed by the ever-shrewd Gosden.

He has taken the option of switching his charge to this race instead of waiting a week for the Cambridgeshire, for which he looked certain to start favourite in light of his recent victories at Goodwood and York.

Forest Of Dean: York winner runs with a penaltyCredit: Mark Cranham

Explaining the decision, Gosden said: "Trying to win the Cambridgeshire with a three-year-old off a mark of 110 didn't look a good idea so we've decided to do what's best for the horse and run him here. He can run off 105 with his penalty and has a nice draw."

KEY STAT

Forest Of Dean will undoubtedly be one of the best-backed favourites at Newbury, but in the last ten years only one winner of this handicap has carried more than 9st 5lb to victory – Forte Dei Marmi (9st 10lb) in 2010.

What they say

Martyn Meade, trainer of Rise Hall
It’s a big ask as he's gone up the weights quite a lot this season but he's a real trier in his races, so we shall have to wait and see. It’s a very hot race for a handicap but I hope he runs well.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Johnny Drama
He ran a great race at York when second behind Forest Of Dean and is not really entitled to reverse the form. But it’s a very good prize to win and he takes his chance as I'm sure track and trip will suit.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Victory Command and Oasis Prince
Both are solid, busy handicappers. Trip, track and ground all look ideal for them. Forest Of Dean could be a Group horse in a handicap, but they should both run well.

Ed Walker, trainer of Caradoc
He's been in great form since he was narrowly beaten at York and was possibly a bit unlucky there. I don’t think that stepping back in trip will prove a problem as he's pretty versatile in that respect. It’s a good prize to shoot at but I think we all have to beat Forest Of Dean, who looks a worthy favourite.

David Menuisier, trainer of Migration
He's in very good form at home and seems as well as he's been all year. It's very very competitive, as you would expect for that sort of prize-money, but it's the right race for him and I expect him to run very well.

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