Mount Logan

28th-Jul-2015

Mount Logan is a really talented middle distance handicapper, whose last two runs have been high-class. On his penultimate run, in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot, he raced in mid-division in a race in which it was an advantage to race prominently. He did well to get up to finish fourth, just a length behind the winner, coming from the rear, trying to make ground into a quickening pace and encountering traffic problems along the way. That is strong handicap form.

It was a similar story in the John Smith’s Cup at York last time. They didn’t go a great gallop, which was surprising for a John Smith’s Cup, and he was wider than ideal from his outside draw.  Even so, he again finished well to get up for third place. The first two home emerged from stalls one and two respectively and raced handily, whereas Mount Logan raced from stall 12 and raced in mid-division. It was another strong performance, it was better than the bare form of the race suggests.

He does stay a mile and a half, so a bare 10 furlongs at Goodwood is not ideal.  However, he should get the fast pace that he needs today, and that should more than compensate for the easy track.

Also, he goes well on fast ground, so the ground is a little bit of a concern, but he won on easy ground at Doncaster last year, so he should be fine on it.

Importantly, he is one for one at Goodwood, and Adam Kirby, who rode him to his victory here and who has ridden him just once since, is back on board.  He is only 2lb higher than he was at Ascot and York, which is fair, and he should run a big race.

MOUNT LOGAN WON (ADV 9/1, SP 8/1)