Goodwood and Wolverhampton previews: Aristocratic can rule on handicap debut

The Jason Tate trained colt ran out a very impressive winner of the race 12 months ago, travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders before being shaken-up inside the last to quicken clear and score easily by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 100.

Ruwaiyan backed that up with a solid five length fifth of 12 to Tropics in a Listed contest at Windsor, and was then far from disgraced when ninth of 25 to Interception in the ultra-competitive Wokingham handicap at Royal Ascot off 106.

The seven-year-old also ran well on his final start of the campaign when a 5 1/4 length 12th of 27 to subsequent Group winner Magical Memory in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood off 105, and is now able to race in this less competitive affair off 101.

That is just 1lb than when landing the spoils last year and gives Ruwaiyan major claims from a handicapping perspective.

There are also plenty of front runners in the race, and that should enable Ruwaiyan to get a nice tow into the contest before hopefully pouncing late to land the spoils.

Goodwood selections

13.50: Zaatar
14.20: Baltic Brave
14.55: Aristocratic (NAP)
15.30: Prize Money
16.00: Hestina
16.35: Ruwaiyan (NB)
17.05: Cherry Kool

Class-dropping Azilian handicapped to strike at Wolverhampton

Azilian is back down below his last winning mark and can exploit a drop in class to get back to winning ways in the 1m 4f handicap on today’s card at Wolverhampton (15.50).

The Paul Cole trained colt was last successful when making all to land a class 5 contest over 1m 4f at Lingfield nine months ago by a length off a mark of 72.

Azilian went on to finish an excellent head second in a class 4 affair at Salisbury off 77, but then failed to cut any ice in four subsequent starts after being put up to a rating of 79.

However, that has resulted in the handicapper cutting the four-year-old plenty of slack and he is now able to race in this lower grade class 5 contest off off 70.

That is 2lb lower than when last victorious and gives Azilian major claims at the weights.

The son of Azamour is entitled to come on for his recent run at Windsor after 134 days on the sidelines, and connections are now refitting Azilian with the tongue-tie which he wore when last victorious.

Mutarajjil appeals on handicap debut

Trainer Roger Varian has a tremendous record with his runners at the Midlands venue, and Mutarajjil looks weighted to provide him with another winner in the 6f handicap (16.20).

The Newmarket handler has a strike rate of just over 30 per cent with his runners at the track in the last 12 months, and in Mutarajjil has a unexposed gelding who looks a potential improver now going down the handicap route.

The son of Acclanmation has had just three starts, and ran really well on the second of those when beaten just a nose by Consulting in a 12-runner maiden at Kempton.

Mutarajjil finished two lengths in front of third home The Commendatore who has won twice since, and Noble Peace who finished fourth has also gone on to taste success to be rated 84.

That gives the form a strong look in the context of this class 4 contest and suggests Mutarajjil has got in lightly off an opening handicap mark of just 74.

The three-year-old also comes into the race on the back of a promising return to action when fifth at Salisbury when showing plenty of speed until weakening late on and that should have blown away the cobwebs and put him spot on for this.

Wolverhampton selections

14.10: Verus Delicia
14.40: Invocation
15.15: Marshgate Lane
15.50: Azilian (NAP)
16.20: Mutarajjil (NB)
16.55: Fossa
17.25: Luv U Lucky

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