Strip faces weighty task

Comic Strip goes searching for a five-timer when he shoulders top weight in the 10-furlong ladbrokes.com Heritage Handicap at Goodwood tomorrow.

With Sir Mark Prescott’s horses running into form, the three-year-old Marju gelding is hoping to give the Newmarket trainer his first winner of the five-day meeting.

Comic Strip is having his first start since a Listed event over a mile at Pontefract in October.

The master of Heath House says the handicapper has done him no favours on his seasonal debut, despite beating the smart Rocamadour at Epsom last season.

Prescott said: “He’s got plenty of weight. I have to say that it would be a very good performance to carry that weight [9st 7lb], given the ground is so soft.

“You just get that feeling that somehow, something is going to come and beat him in that ground. I don’t know quite what – but you just get that feeling.

“They are starting to come to hand now. The ones I’ve run at Goodwood have all run blinders – they’ve all finished fifth – and I should think that the handicapper has a wry smile on his face.”