A Group One winner at two, he added the Bahrain Trophy to his CV last term but with this son of Dubawi at his best with cut in the ground, he has found his opportunities somewhat limited and has failed to find the kind of form that saw him place at the highest level in Germany last November.
Charlie Appleby’s charge ran no sort of race on his return at Newbury in April before chasing home the admiral Al Aasy – with Almaqam, Royal Champion and Sea The Fire all behind – at Sandown subsequently, when again tried on good ground.
Good to soft going at Epsom tempted Godolphin into a Coronation Cup run but up against some proper Group One horses, he was found wanting and has subsequently spent the summer waiting for some rain, while connections also opted to geld him.
He is up against some race-fit rivals here but as long as plenty of ease remains in the ground, Ancient Wisdom should be able to rediscover the winning groove dropped right back in class.
Royal Playwright can get his head in front for the first time since his racecourse debut in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily “Confined” Conditions Stakes.
Andrew Balding’s charge was an impressive Salisbury winner at the first attempt and was subsequently set some stiff tasks, finishing third to Field Of Gold in the Solario before chasing home Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Royal Lodge.
Outclassed on his final juvenile start in the Futurity Trophy, he has been kept to black-type company this season without success, most recently when beaten two lengths in a Windsor Group Three last month.
This looks an easier task on paper and given his Royal Lodge career best came on soft ground, any ease in conditions should not be a concern.
Timeforshowcasing can secure a notable prize in the British EBF £100,000 2YO Fillies’ Series Final.
She ran a fine race at Doncaster earlier this month to come home fifth in the May Hill Stakes, beaten just under three lengths after trying to make every post a winning one in a strong headwind.
That was her first attempt at a mile and having been found out a bit over six furlongs in the Lowther, this seven-furlong test could be ideal.
SELECTIONS
GOODWOOD: 1.50 Royal Playwright, 2.25 Study Of Words, 3.00 Alpha Crucis, 3.35 Ancient Wisdom, 4.10 TIMEFORSHOWCASING (NAP), 4.45 Finalise, 5.20 Em Four.