Bank on a Tax Free win

TAX FREE appears to have been found another good opportunity in the five-furlong Peters Plc Stakes at Goodwood today.

Extremely progressive in handicap company last season, David Nicholls’ exciting charge found yet more improvement when reappearing at Newmarket almost three weeks ago – his first race since landing a major gamble in the competitive William Hill Trophy at York’s Ebor meeting.

All his victories had been achieved over six and seven furlongs, so it was a little surprising when he was dropped to the minimum trip for his first outing in a Pattern race.

However, he ran an absolute blinder to finish third in a 22-runner renewal of the Group Three Palace House Stakes.

A measure of how good that effort actually was can be gleaned from the fact that only Tax Free and Tabaret (ninth) out of those drawn in single figures reached the first 12.

Dropping in class, Tax Free appears to be capable of rewarding further support in this Listed event.

Sir Michael Stoute has been in unstoppable form and could be on the mark yet again when Final Verse goes to post in the one-mile Raymarine Stakes, which also carries Listed status.

A half-brother to no less than nine winners – notably top-class middle-distance performer Posidonas – Final Verse improved with every race as a juvenile and must have an excellent chance of winning this heat en route to better things.