GOODWOOD 15:50

Non Runners: SHROPSHIRE (IRE), BALLESTEROS, BOOMERANG BOB (IRE), FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (IRE).

Time: 1m 10.27s

Overrounds: Industry SP 137%, Betfair SP 100.8%

The top sprint handicaps are often short on improvers but that's not a charge that can be levellled at this one, bringing together as it did a number of thriving improvers, a good few of whom were involved at the business end, the form between them having a strong look to it with each of the first 6 arguably having pattern-race potential; there were 2 groups initally but they'd merged after 2f and the action in a fairly-run race focussed in the centre of the track.

INTRINSIC had to wait for his crack at a big handicap (missed the cut when ante-post favourite for the Wokingham) but was straight back in the groove 10 weeks since last seen, confirming the impression created when winning over C&D last time that he's just about the most progressive sprinter around, having all the hallmarks of one who'll go on and win Group races, though he'd top the list for another high-end handicap if given the chance before his sights are raised; mid-division, travelled fluently, headway 2f out, led when hung left last ½f, straightened out and kept going well; he's clearly versatile as regards ground, conditions vastly different for his 2 wins at this track.

NINJAGO a big eyecatcher when fifth in this last year, produced a career best in going 3 places better, beaten only by a thriving, pattern-class rival, up to that standard himself, though a strongly-run handicap suits ideally; dropped out, still plenty to do 2f out, headway entering final 1f, finished strongly.

ALBEN STAR (IRE) is as tough as they come, some effort to hit the frame in a top handicap for the fourth time in last 5 starts, having been on the go since the autumn; always in the firing line under 3-lb claimer, led under pressure over 1f out, headed final 100 yds, stuck to task; he isn't reliant on a big field to show his form and, as such, will find excellent winning opportunities at listed/minor pattern level.

RUWAIYAN (USA) found a big-field 6f handicap playing his strengths and produced a career best, shaping well with good late progress from an unpromising position; held up, travelled fluently, still plenty to do 2f out, headway entering final 1f, finished well, nearest at the finish; unexposed at 6f, he might pull out more still at this trip and is on the radar for a similar race.

MUTHMIR (IRE) all the rage in the betting under a penalty, couldn't deliver on that support, maybe finding his big effort at York 7 days earlier taking the edge off him, plus seeing a bit too much daylight on the flank, either way not disgraced and showing more than enough to think he'll remain a force in top handicaps, with Group-race potential still very much intact; mid-division, tanked along (again took time to settle), headway over 2f out, effort approaching final 1f, one paced.

DISCUSSIONTOFOLLOW (IRE) again ran well under a penalty (due to be 2 lb lower), his strong-travelling style very much on show, that quality sure to take him a long way in similar events, with some potential intact considering how lightly raced he is compared to most he'll meet; mid-division, travelled powerfully, headway over 1f out, intimidated last ½f, kept on.

SIR MAXIMILIAN (IRE) didn't have obvious chance under penalty and ran up to best, stepping back to 6f not a problem; mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, chased leaders final 1f, one paced; he's due to be 2 lb higher next time, which is harsh on the face of things.

JOEY'S DESTINY (IRE) gave a good account in easily the toughest handicap he's tackled so far, boding well for his prospects in something a bit less compepeitive next time; held up, headway under pressure from 2f out, kept on, never nearer.

HALLELUJAH has it to do in handicaps from this mark but confirmed herself back in something like top form; held up, effort 2f out, ran on, never nearer.

SEEKING MAGIC winner of the consolation race for this in 2013, shaped as if back in form under a fully-fledged rider for the first time in more than a year, going with plenty of zest in trying to dominate a little wide of the rest; raced alone stand side to after halfway, led overall, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final 1f, edged right, no extra final 1f.

ARNOLD LANE (IRE) wasn't disgraced but isn't obviously threatening to recapture last season's best form, well handicapped if he could; in touch, effort over 2f out, edged left and became a little isolated from the rest, not quicken.

HOODNA (IRE) was on the same mark as when third in the Bunbury Cup and shaped as if still in good nick back down in trip for all she ended up some way below that form, probably not ideally placed the way it took shape; held up, shaken up over 2f out, challenged out wide (nearest far rail) approaching final 1f, faded.

MAR MAR (IRE) doesn't look well enough treated to figure in handicaps of this quality, actually not that far below form; mid-division, effort 2f out, made no impression.

ASHPAN SAM again ran below form, albeit better than last time; close up, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered final 1f; he's surely done his improving for the season, everything in his favour when he won at Epsom on Derby Day.

CLEAR SPRING (IRE) claimer ridden, looks too high in weights, again ran below form; mid-field, ridden over 2f out, made no impression.

EXPERT (IRE) gelded since last seen, faced a stiff task on more than one count, the only 3-y-o in the field, plus returning from 11 weeks off, probably best not judged too harshly; held up, ridden over 2f out, made no impression; his handicap second at Newmarket in the spring has worked out well.

FLYMAN back in headgear, was well held under 5-lb claimer after 12 weeks off, though should at least be sharper for the run with a view to a late-summer/autumn campaign, still on a handy mark and very effective on ground softer than good; mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten.

BORDERLESCOTT winner of this race in 2006, before all bar one of his rivals were born, was well held, handicaps of this quality beyond him nowadays; mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten.

YORK GLORY (USA) promised more to a point but ultimately finished well held again, no response off the bridle; held up, headway over 2f out, challenged approaching final 1f, folded tamely.

BARRACUDA BOY (IRE) hasn't been in much form of late and predictably found this too competitive in first-time visor; prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final 1f.

BEAR BEHIND (IRE) was well held back on firmer ground, not up to these top-end handicaps, especially from present mark; prominent, ridden soon after halfway, weakened 2f out.

ZERO MONEY (IRE) is badly out of sorts and needs sights lowering away from the top-end handicaps he's taken in so far this season; helped force pace, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

BLAINE whose form last time was franked by Tatlisu earlier on this card, never went a yard in rear after a slow start, something probably amiss.

REX IMPERATOR can only have been amiss; mid-division, dropped away 2f out, heavily eased.