Supaseus to sluice up at Goodwood

The ground at Goodwood is on the soft side of good but, given the recent volatile weather fluctuations, it could just as easily end up being firm so the versatile Supaseus, who is available at a best-priced 12/1, acts on any going and looks a fair bet to land the totesport Mile for trainer Hughie Morrison. A high draw is often an advantage here in races between seven furlongs and a mile and a quarter, and a single-figure berth would temper enthusiasm somewhat where any horse in this race is concerned - only one winner in the last decade has won from a single-figure stall. However, as things stand, Supaseus looks poised to go mighty close. He's just 1lb higher compared to when finishing over four lengths fourth in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, a rise which looks more than fair given that the winner of that race, Royal Oath, has gone on to finish second to the classy Cesare in a Group 2 contest at Ascot. The Spinning World gelding, who had the rest well beaten off when getting the better of a duel with Pinpoint in the valuable Suffolk Stakes at Newmarket's Guineas meeting in May, his seasonal reappearance, comes into this race relatively fresh having had just two outings so far this term, something which will be very much to his advantage. Supaseus is a hard horse to get by - he's extremely game - and if he is able to nick a couple of lengths from the field at the two-furlong marker then he won't be for passing. Pride of Nation definitely takes his chance and will not be inconvenienced by juice in the ground. Luca Cumani's charge, who ran a cracking race from a poor draw when beaten under two lengths into fourth place behind Ordnance Row at Sandown last time, is worth an investment at 14/1 with Coral. Pride Of Nation definitely has a big handicap in him and I'd hate to miss out when he does deliver. He could do with a bit of respite from the assessor, but having had just 10 starts, he's lightly raced for a five-year-old, thus he remains open to improvement. The son of Danehill Dancer is a well-balanced colt who boasts a good turn of foot and will be suited to the downhill straight at Goodwood. Unshakable, winner of this in 2005, has been in cracking form this term. Despite now being eight, Bob Jones' stable stalwart is still at the top of the tree in terms of one-mile handicappers. However, he's never won off a mark as high as his current one and, consequently, I reckon he'll run into at least a couple that are better treated. Pinpoint merits plenty of respect although, along with Tobosa, his overall record suggests that a faster surface suits him better, while Sir Michael Stoute's Ea and Drumfire, who hails from a stable that has won this twice in the last decade, that of Mark Johnston, are unexposed sorts that have claims in what looks an open race. Verdict: 1pt Supaseus @ 12/1 (Betfred); 1pt Pride Of Nation @ 14/1 (Coral)