Shifting the Power play at Goodwood

Shifting Power is the class act in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood today (2.30) and looks a worthy favourite to land the spoils for the Richard Hannon team.

The colt was unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, and won the Free Handicap in gritty fashion on seasonal reappearance.

Shifting Power then defied his 50-1 starting price to finish fourth stablemate Night Of Thunder in 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The son of Compton Place kept on to be beaten three lengths in the Group 1 classic, and showed that effort to be no fluke when chasing home Kingman in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.

Although beaten five lengths by John Gosden’s superstar colt, Shifting Power stuck to the task well and finished two lengths in front of subsequent Jersey Stakes winner Mustajeeb.

Shifting Power then ran another cracker to be beaten just a neck by Charm Spirit in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly, and the form of his last three runs is head and shoulders above what his rivals have achieved.

Indeed, Shifting Power is officially rated 4lb and upwards clear of them in this Group 3 contest which represents a significant drop in class and a glorious opportunity for him to get back to winning ways.

The other runner in the field with Group 1 form is the Ollie Stevens trained filly Lightning Thunder.

The daughter of Dutch Art finished a highly creditable runner-up to Miss France in the 1,000 Guineas and backed that up with solid effort when occupying the same spot behind Marvellous in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

The three-year-old then disappointed when sent off favrouite and finishing just ninth of 12 to Rizeena in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but this is easier and she is a big player if bouncing back to her best.

The “dark horse” in the field is the Charlie Appleby trained Rapprochement who made a striking impression when bolting up by 11 lengths up on debut at Newmarket in a decent time.