Totesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood

Layman is bound to be all the rage in thetotesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Sunday but he represents no value at the likely odds and I reckon he's worth taking on with Court Masterpiece, who still looks to be improving at the age of five. The Ed Dunlop-trained colt clearly has a penchant for this track having won three of his six starts at the Sussex venue and has scored on both his last two visits, including when demonstrating reams of tenacity to repel the late thrust of Jack Sullivan by a short head in the Group Two Lennox Stakes. That was a career-best performance from the son of Polish Precedent and a deserved Group-race victory, as he had been narrowly foiled in two Group Three's previously. He probably would have been a more decisive winner of the Lennox had the ground not deteriorated as it did at the Glorious meeting and, on a line through the runner-up, he has a good chance of beating hot favourite Layman. Godolphin's charge made a highly encouraging seasonal reappearance when beating Jack Sullivan by two lengths in a Group Three at Salisbury where he was receiving 10lb from the second. Although he is bound to have come on for that run and was a cosy enough winner, on an interpretation of the form, and bearing in mind that Court Masterpiece beat that rival off level weights under conditions that were far from ideal, you'd have to say that Layman doesn't deserve to be such a short price. Admittedly, he's rated 4lb higher than the selection and will be receiving a handy 9lb on the day, but in Court Masterpiece he will be facing a battle-hardened rival who will not go down without a fight. Indeed, we're yet to see how hardy Layman will be when faced with a real battle and it may just be that he will be found wanting when push comes to shove. Sleeping Indian rates a big danger after landing the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last time. The lightly-raced Indian Ridge colt appreciates getting his toe in so any rain that falls over Goodwood between now and Sunday will certainly enhance his prospects. In the contest, Sleeping Indian was always handy and ran on well close home to beat Majors Cast by a length with Pivotal Flame close up in third. It was worth remembering, however, that the runner-up was beaten over three lengths behind Court Masterpiece in the Lennox, while the close proximity of Pivotal Flame, who is rated 100, gives the form a slightly shaky look in my opinion. Last year's winner of this race Chic would be a major player if back to her best, but her two efforts so far this term have failed to instil a great deal of confidence. She possibly found the ground too testing when a well-beaten last of 12 behind Proclamation in the Sussex Stakes over Sunday's course and distance last time, but it was still disappointing the way she ran, as she weakened tamely and offered little resistance when under pressure. There's chance that she might not have trained on and is therefore best watched for the time being at least. This will be a fascinating contest and the fact that Layman holds an entry in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes augurs well, but taking all the factors into consideration it's well worth opposing him with the admirable Court Masterpiece, who should be available at around the 5-1 mark.