Tangerine can bounce back to his best at Goodwood

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Published 00:01 03.08.2012

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Bryan Smart has shown signs of a revival recently and his classy sprinter Tangerine Trees is selected to land the Group 2 Gordon's King George Stakes at 3.45.

The stable has been in the doldrums for several months until breaking the deadlock this week and a number of their previously out-of-sorts runners have bounced back from the wilderness. This visored 7-y-o was successful three times in 2011, improving markedly to land the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye in October and his excellent pace was back in evidence before fading late on in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot. Regular rider Tom Eaves seems sure to grab the stands rail from a good draw in stall three and he seems sure to be very hard to catch on the drying ground.

Main danger for the £100,000 prize money may come from Tim Easterby's Hamish Mcgonagall. He is a very smart performer who is getting better with age, responding terrifically gamely when landing a listed contest at York last month. However, he has struggled at this level in the past and all his best winning form has come on flat, speed orientated courses such as the Knavesmire and Musselburgh, and his lack of Goodwood experience from a tricky draw in stall 14 must be a negative.

Aussie raider Ortensia has to give weight away all round on her third start of the summer in this country. She improved when winning the Al Quoz Sprint in March, but has performed well below expectations in the King's Stand and July Cup more recently. This is a slight drop in grade and the faster ground will suit (laboured in deep ground at Newmarket), while supporters are advised to wait and check her pre-race demeanour (fretted and fractious at Royal Ascot before flopping).

Masamah is a useful sprinter when tuned up and dominated proceedings when beating Amour Propre in this race last year. The zest has been missing on both starts this time round and he is hard to fancy on those runs, while Elusivity needs to step up dramatically on his narrow win in a muddling, small field conditions stakes in soft ground last time out.

Perhaps Pabusar is an each-way alternative for those hunting for bigger prices. He is far from consistent but had one of his better days when chasing home Hamish McGonagall at York 20 days ago. He has winning form at this course in the past and could have the race run to suit his hold-up style with so much early pace in the line-up, with the booking of Jim Crowley ideal.

In summary, a fiercely competitive renewal but Tangerine Trees hails from a stable that is hitting peak form and he is expected to take a deal of catching from a great low draw. At around 7-1 this morning he is worth a win investment to make all the running.

Stephen's Friday Nap Qannaas 3.30 Thirsk

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