Sealine Stakes this afternoon

A stiff nine furlongs on good to soft ground looks absolutely ideal for the Ed Dunlop-trained High Command, and the son of Galileo is a very strong fancy to land the opener at Goodwood this afternoon, the Sealine Stakes (2.10), for which he is 2/1 with Stan James. Jamie Spencer endured a torrid time of it aboard the selection at Newbury last weekend when he was boxed in from three furlongs out and, when it appeared that daylight had appeared below the distance, his mount was hampered. Under the circumstances, High Command did extremely well to finish just two lengths third to Pearly King and, while it's debatable whether he would have beaten the eventual winner granted a clear passage, there can be little doubt that he would have finished a good deal closer. Although he is actually dropping in trip by a furlong today, this stiff track and the likelihood of a strong pace with Multakka and Punta Galera in the line-up will play to his strengths, and he is actually 3lb well-in today, as his in future handicaps he'll be racing off a mark of 92 whereas today he is competing off the same mark as at Newbury, 89. Night Crescendo is an obvious danger. He made a successful reappearance over a mile at Newbury when running on strongly to beat Acheekyone by a neck. That form has taken knocks subsequently and the Diesis colt has been raised 6lb, but he is bound to have come on for the run and shapes as though this step up in trip will suit. If he handles the ground a bold bid should ensue. Layazaal proved his ability to handle give underfoot when running a cracking race in defeat to finish a neck second to Levera at Newmarket earlier this month. The subsequent 3lb rise that John Dunlop's charge was given for that effort looks more than fair after Levera bolted up at York's Dante meeting. As such, if he sees out this two furlong farther trip, he too should go well. Champions Gallery and Airbuss look best of the rest, The former, who wasn't at his best at Chester on his reappearance, is an interesting contender and one with definite each-way claims here. Verdict - 2pts High Command @ 2/1 (Stan James)