GAMEKEEPER 4.35 Wolverhampton at 8/13

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Pedigree

Sixth foal; closely related to 6f 2yo winner Nasimi (RPR 86), half-brother to winners Sovereign Prince (7f/1m inc 2yo/Listed; 111), Gold Stick (1m2f; 94) and Grand Traverse (French 7f; 90); dam 6f-1m winner (inc 2yo Group 2/UAE AW; 114)

The Racing Horse Composite

Trainer Form: 3-13 for 23%          (10)
National average: 21%               (10)
Course Strike Rate: 21%             (10)
RPR: 91                             (10)
Optimum Ground: Good/standard       (10)       
Optimum Distance: 6f                (10)
Jockey: James Doyle                 (10)
National Average: 19%               (10)
Course Strike Rate: 22%             (10)
Trainer & Jockey Combo: 25%         (10)  
Total:                             (100)

Godolphin Comments

Gamekeeper is closely related to 6f 2yo winner Nasimi (RPR 86), half-brother to winners Sovereign Prince (7f/1m inc 2yo/Listed; 111), Gold Stick (1m2f; 94) and Grand Traverse (French 7f; 90); eyecatching third of fifteen in 6f novice stakes on debut at York (6f) in October 2023. 

Potential to step up from debut considerably

Gamekeeper was entered for a Maiden at Newbury on Friday and comes here instead. The Blue Point colt is related to several winners, including one at Listed level, and he recorded an eye-catching debut, finishing strongly having taken a while to get the idea. He didn't have a hard race and has the potential to step up significantly next time. Even though the conditions were heavy the colt finished so powerfully it appeared as though Benoit De La Sayette took an age to pull him up, so much left in the tank!

Backed to win and now takes a drop in class

Worth pointing out he was backed to win on debut (7/2) in a 15-runner Class 3 Novice at York and now runs in a Class 5 Maiden at Wolverhampton, so a serious drop in class. He was beaten less than 3l in third but was well clear of the rest. The first two had previous experience with the winner having his fifth race. This looks every inch like a confidence booster! Also, one or two of the Gosden horses have improved dramatically for a run and we think this colt is another.

Trainer Form

The trainer has his horses in decent form and matches their national averages at the course. Their charge has been drawn stall 4 so perfect and the excellent James Doyle rides. J & T Gosden show 15-71 for 21% (-8.36) since they teamed up, and note there are 15 seconds and 11 third places (26 in total) amongst those figures which are a little too high for their liking! When James Doyle rides for the team they combine to score 12-61 for 20% (-25.52). The jockey scores 40-162 for 25% (-30.40) when riding at Wolverhampton over the past 5 years.

Contender

Monfrid is a140,000gns yearling, Zoustar colt. Dam 7f-8.3f winner out of US Grade 2 1m runner-up Pina Colada. He is a newcomer to note from the Haggas yard but will have to post a big RPR on debut to win. This one will probably be backed for each-way purposes so possible the 8/13 and 4/7 might ease to our advantage.

Timeform View

The well-bred GAMEKEEPER made a very promising start at York recently and seems sure to do better so is hard to oppose. Newcomers Monfrid and On Song are interesting, while Give It Up has a good chance on the form of his Newmarket second behind the Dewhurst third Eben Shaddad.

Perceived Value

Unless there is something special in the race, we just need a good paddock, trip to post and a swift stall exit. We must have perceived value at 8/13 or even 4/7. 

PACAFI Results 2023.