Can stayer named after Jack Grealish provide Villa owner-breeder with big win?

Friday: 1.50 Goodwood
Coral Goodwood Handicap | 2m4½f, 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Trainer Ian Williams has conquered this 2m4½f handicap on three occasions with a trio of useful dual-purposes recruits and he comes double-handed in his bid for a record-equalling fourth win in the race.

Since 1988, only Mark Johnston has a better record in this contest, and the Williams-trained Reshoun heads the market for this unique event, which sees the only tape start of the meeting.

The eight-year-old got back to winning ways in style at Newbury last time, and having finished second in the 2m5½f Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot previous to that, his stamina is certainly assured.

Sixty-six runners of his age have contested this marathon test and the sole winner was Cool Sky in 2017, also trained by Williams.

The Worcestershire-based trainer also runs Hydroplane, who fits the profile of his other previous winners, having also raced over hurdles. He will be ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, twice successful in the last ten years, and his runaway victory in a lower grade at Chester was just his eighth Flat start on the turf, so there could easily be more to come.

Ian Williams: has won this race three times beforeCredit: Dan Abraham

Solent Gateway has been well fancied for a number of big handicaps this season, and after a pair of below-par efforts, he ran a huge race to finish third in the Northumberland Plate off 2lb lower. The tongue-tie goes on, and provided his stamina holds, he has live each-way claims.

Gary Moore has enjoyed a solid campaign on the Flat with a 14 per cent strike-rate, and his Make My Day, who had absolutely no luck at in the Ascot Stakes last time, remains an unexposed and interesting prospect.

Dual Listed winner Withhold finished second in this race 12 months ago off an enormous weight and, after a pair of encouraging efforts this year, he could be in the perfect condition to strike under the man of the hour William Buick.

Race analysis by Owen Goulding

Harris: Super Superjack can be a big player

There's no going back once a horse's name is registered with Weatherbys, a fact owner-breeder and big Aston Villa fan Lee Turland is well aware of.

Super Superjack was named after the Villa chant for Jack Grealish, former captain of the Premier League club, only for the star attacking midfielder to become the most expensive English player when joining Manchester City for £100 million last year.

However, there has been no looking back from Grealish's equine namesake since the big-money switch, rising through the ranks and winning at this track and Ascot on his first two starts of this season. Recent placed efforts at York and Salisbury can be marked up, and trainer Milton Harris is confident of a big run.

Harris said: "It's a big day for Lee and he's a massive Aston Villa fan. By the time Super Superjack was halfway through his four-year-old campaign, Grealish had been sold to Man City, but you can't change the name, can you! It would be nice for Grealish to meet Lee and his equine namesake one day – there's an open invite."

On his chances, Harris added: "He can be a little quirky at the finish, but he's progressive and we're pretty convinced he'll enjoy the trip. His course form is a plus and I'm very hopeful he'll be a big player."

What they say

Harry Charlton, joint-trainer of Withhold
We were encouraged by his Newbury run – he lost a shoe that day and stuck on quite well when headed. The step up in trip will suit him and he ran his best race last year in this, so hopefully he will run well.

Ian Williams, trainer of Reshoun and Hydroplane
Reshoun keeps surprising us as he's doing so well at the age of eight. He's always had that bit of quality about him. He has a lot of weight to carry but has been running to that level and stays well. Hydroplane won well at Chester and runs off his correct mark. The one concern would be whether he will stay this extreme trip – everything suggests he will, but you never quite know.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Solent Gateway and Zoffee
They are stepping up in trip and shaped like they will get further, but it's a big jump and we'll have to see. I'm happy with them and think we have two decent chances.

Hugo Palmer: runs Solent Gateway and ZoffeeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gary Moore, trainer of Make My Day
A drop of rain would be helpful, but it's been safe ground there all week and he likes the track. He's been a bit unlucky in his three Flat starts this year, but with a clear run I'd hope he can make the frame.

William Knight, trainer of Author's Dream
He could run all right and has an each-way chance. He ran well in the race two years ago and does love extreme distances. He has been trained for this race and I just hope the ground isn't too lively for him.

Reporting by Jack Haynes

Friday previews:

2.25 Goodwood: Norwegian and German raiders lay siege to Britain's Thoroughbred stronghold

3.00 Goodwood: Can front-runner Noble Dynasty make all from a perfect draw in stall three?

3.35 Goodwood: Appleby confident 'the best I've trained' Raasel can emerge as new sprinting ace

6.00 Galway: Blazers banker? 'She's much better over fences than hurdles. I fancy her'

6.35 Galway: More Mullins domination? Baby Zeus out to improve on last year's fourth

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