Finished Article is best

13 April 2012

Take a chance on Finished Article for a William Hill Mile which promises to provide one of the most nerve-jangling finishes of the week at Glorious Goodwood tomorrow.

A glance through the record books shows that the judge has had to call for a photo in order to decide the outcome of this £100,000 handicap 10 times since Waajib scrambled home under Michael Roberts in the inaugural running back in 1987.

With bookmakers betting around 7-1 the field, it would come as no surprise to see the camera flashing again as the 22 runners charge for the line at just after 3,20pm, and with any luck, David Elsworth's five-year-old gelding will be leading the parade.

Elsworth, whose horses have been running pretty well without winning this week, has had this race in mind for the son of Indian Ridge for several weeks. And it doesn't take a degree in nuclear physics to see why.

In short, Finished Article copes with the twists and undulations of the unique Goodwood track like a dream. He proved as much by putting up the best performance of his career to win a useful handicap here in June, and his three runs since that effort leave little room for doubt that he remains right on top of his game.

On Sandown's Eclipse day, Finished Article failed to cope with the fast-improving Heretic but came from somewhere in the vicinity of Esher Station to finish a clear second in a strong field of 17.

Things didn't drop right for him again at Newbury last time, but in running on well for fifth behind the smart Calcutta he left the strong impression that he's capable of landing a good prize this summer.

Calcutta lies in wait again, though it's worth noting that he didn't shine in this race last season. The Newbury-placed horses Smirk and Muchea are also back for another crack, but Finished Article looks capable of reversing the form this time.

Royal Ascot winner Demonstrate looks one of the biggest dangers after running a blinder from a poor draw back at the Berkshire course last week.

Faithful Warrior is gradually coming back to form and also appeals as a likely long shot if the ground stays on the fast side. But the withdrawal of Heretic and other strongly fancied contenders, such as Ghannam and Beauchamp Pilot, gives this race a slightly more 'winnable' look.

There could be a shower or two overnight, but Goodwood officials will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's weather. Heavy rain in the lead-up to the race 12 months ago handed a huge advantage to those ridden handily, and Riberac and Wannabe Around took full advantage in dominating their rivals from a long way out.

Terry Mills saddles Wannabe Around again in a bid to go one better, but he ran badly when held up last time and faces a hard day's work under 9st 10lb, even if his favoured front-running tactics are employed again. By contrast, Finished Article looks more than fairly treated with 8st 8lb on his back.

Luck in running will be important - just as it always is in a massive field when things start to get tight at Goodwood - but as a sporting each-way bet his chance is there for all to see.

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