'He has a good chance' - Charlie Hills eyeing glory with unlucky Mutasaabeq

Saturday: 3.35 Goodwood
William Hill Celebration Mile Stakes (Group 2) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

It has been a season of near misses for Mutasaabeq but his trainer Charlie Hills is confident he can score for the first time since April when he lines up against just four rivals in the Celebration Mile.

The four-year-old sets the standard on ratings and will likely be sent off a short-priced favourite after being denied by a head in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot last time, when he was beaten by Chindit.

He had to settle for third on his penultimate start in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom, while two months earlier he was beaten a neck by Lights On in the bet365 Mile at Sandown.

His sole victory in four starts this campaign came at Thirsk, where he justified 6-4 favouritism to beat Symbolize by a length and a quarter.

"Things haven't gone quite our way this season but he's run consistently well all season," said trainer Charlie Hills. "The race has cut up so he has a good chance and he won on soft ground at Thirsk this season."

'Finest Sound is absolutely thriving'

The small field is symptomatic of a worrying trend but among those hoping to capitalise on the lack of competition are Simon and Ed Crisford, who account for almost half the field with two runners.

The market suggests their best chance is with Jadoomi, who landed a Listed contest at Clairefontaine in July and has form in testing conditions, having scored on heavy ground at Longchamp in 2020.

Finest Sound: finished second at York last timeCredit: Pool

However, the yard has been equally pleased with the progress of Finest Sound, who finished second behind Alflaila at odds of 25-1 in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York's Ebor festival last Saturday.

"Finest Sound bounced out after finishing second at York," said Ed Crisford. "He's versatile. He's got form on different types of ground and is absolutely thriving. He should have a chance in a small field.

"Jadoomi likes testing ground so we were pleased to see the rain. He's done well since winning a Clairefontaine Listed race last time."

Stormy Antarctic is the outsider of the quintet, but his trainer Ed Walker believes the rain has arrived just in time for the nine-year-old, who will bid for a first Group-race success in Britain for over five years.

"He's an absolute legend," said Walker. "He's only run once this year, but he ran well in a Listed race at Goodwood. The rain has come for him and he wouldn't need to be at his best to win this. He'll outrun his odds."

Celebration analysis: Mutasaabeq has let down favourite backers before - here's who can challenge him (£)

Saturday previews:

1.50 Goodwood: can Charlie Appleby complete a quickfire hat-trick of juvenile Group-race wins?

2.40 Beverley: 'We've targeted this race' – can Tis Marvellous win the Beverley Bullet again?

3.00 Goodwood: 'We have him in a good place' – Boughey confident in St Leger hope Hoo Ya Mal

3.15 Newmarket: 'He's never had any luck in heritage handicaps, so we're aiming a bit higher'

4.15 Curragh: 'He's in the form of his life' - Harrington seeks second Cambridgeshire success

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