Friday 22 August 2014 13:23, UK
Roger Charlton has admitted the "bounce factor" has entered his mind ahead of Captain Cat's run in the Doom Bar Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday.
The lightly-raced five-year-old had not been seen since winning on All-Weather Championship Finals Day in April when he routed a decent field in the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury just nine days ago.
However, there are some who pay great credence to a horse needing a longer break after winning off the back of a long absence.
Charlton has seen nothing at home on the gallops in the interim to prevent Captain Cat from running, though, and will let him take his chance in the Group Two.
"Captain Cat attempts to follow up his stylish win at Salisbury last week in the Celebration Mile Group Two," the Beckhampton handler told his website, www.rogercharlton.com.
"He appeared to win without having a hard race and he produced an impressive turn of foot in the final furlong.
"Having not run since April there is always the 'bounce factor' but he appears to be very happy and fresh at home."
What About Carlo rises in grade after performing well in competitive handicaps this season.
Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton said: "He's stepping up in class but we either do this or he's lumping big weights around in handicaps.
"We'll see if he's up to it and the ground looks like being perfect so there'll be no excuse on that front.
"He's a nice horse and will be even better next year.
"I think he'll run well, he's certainly got an each-way chance."
Richard Hughes misses the last day of York's Ebor meeting for Goodwood and takes the ride on Richard Hannon's Producer, who is joined in the field by stablemate Emell, the mount of Harry Bentley.
"Producer did not enjoy the soft ground in the Hungerford at Newbury last week, and Richard sensibly looked after him," the trainer told his website, www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
"He should appreciate the better going that he will encounter here.
"Emell is a Listed horse stepping up in class, but prize-money goes down to sixth, so, hopefully, he won't come back empty-handed, either."
Belgian Bill is used to running in big-field handicaps and enjoyed his day in the sun when winning the Royal Hunt Cup last season.
This year he has endured a succession of luckless passages so trainer George Baker hopes the smaller field will bring about a change of fortune.
"We had our luck last year it seems and it has totally deserted us this year," said Baker.
"We've been banging our head in handicaps so we'll swing the bat at a Group Two instead.
"This is massively competitive but the owners were keen to have a go and it works out perfectly before his trip to Istanbul for the Topkapi Trophy in two weeks.
"He could have run in the handicap earlier in the card but we'll have a go.
"We'll need an enormous amount of luck but I'm looking forward to it."
Master Carpenter has taken his form to a new level this season and lost nothing in defeat behind Western Hymn in France last time out.
"He's had a nice break since France and he's nice and fresh now," said trainer Rod Millman.
"I'd prefer a bit of rain overnight and there is some forecast. The mile will suit him, I think.
"There are several races in France in the autumn I've been looking at and he's nearly guaranteed his ground out there.
"The big thing is he stays in training with me next year, which is good news."
