Sussex superstar Goshen back in action

One of the most exciting horses around, the Sussex-trained Goshen, makes his eagerly awaited return to action at Haydock Park on Saturday.
By Staff reporter
Published 24th Sep 2020, 16:30 BST
Updated 24th Sep 2020, 16:34 BST
Goshen and Jamie Moore in full flight at Ascot / Picture: GettyGoshen and Jamie Moore in full flight at Ascot / Picture: Getty
Goshen and Jamie Moore in full flight at Ascot / Picture: Getty

Trained in Lower Beeding, West Sussex, by Cheltenham Festival-winning handler Gary Moore, Goshen will be having his first start since dramatically unseating rider Jamie Moore over timber in the Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

With the race at his mercy, the four-year-old made a slight mistake at the final flight, denying racegoers the opportunity to see one of the most exciting victories at the four-day meeting in recent times.

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Goshen is having his first run on the flat in 332 days as he looks to record a fourth win from six starts in this sphere. Rated 64 when scoring by 12 lengths at Brighton in June 2019, he went on to win by nine lengths at Sandown in June, before scoring by seven lengths at Nottingham in October on his favoured soft ground.

He runs in the £20,000 Close Brothers Premium Finance Handicap at 3.45pm, in which he will face five rivals. He is set to be partnered by regular rider on the Flat Hector Crouch and will take his place as long as the ground is suitable.

Moore said: “Goshen is in great form and the plan is to run at Haydock as long as there is good to soft in the going description.”

A fascinating contest over 14-furlongs, Goshen’s main rivals are headed by On To Victory for Alan King. On To Victory has run two fine races in defeat this term, including when finishing second in a competitive handicap at Ascot last time out. He steps back up in trip and despite his advancing years, he remains of interest.

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Byron Flyer was fifth over this trip at York last time and would prefer a sounder surface, whilst Indinapolis needs to return to form having been well-beaten in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock over course and distance last time out.

The six runners are completed by Hochfeld, a winner at Goodwood in August, but well-beaten in three starts since and Stargazer who is on the comeback trail having finished last in both the Ebor and Old Borough Cup since returning to action for Phil Kirby.

Goshen could also take in the Group Two QIPCO Long Distance Champions Cup on QIPCO Champions Day at Ascot on October 17. Moore’s stable star has a long-term aim of the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival over two miles in March next year.

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