Ballista was a real eye-catcher last time out and looks cracking each-way value at 20/1 in the 2.35 at Goodwood.
Tom Dascombe's gelding was given what can only be described as a shocking and totally misjudged ride when finishing a never nearer 9th of 16 to Valery Borzov at Haydock.
He was held up travelling well off the pace, and his rider Andrew Elliott made no effort to obtain a run at a crucial stage when having tons of horse under him.
In the end he stayed behind a wall of horses for what seemd an eternity before finally making a move when it was all too late.
After being switched numerous times to obtain a run (losing many lengths in the process) the horse flew when getting a gap close home to be beaten just three lengths and finished full of running.
It was a miracle how Elliott managed to keep him out of the frame, and in my mind he should have won the race.
The good news is that Stephen Crane takes over in the saddle this afternoon, and the handicapper has left Ballista unchanged on a career low mark of 86.
That gives him a huge chance from a handicapping persepctive, and although he only has one win to his name when scoring on his juvenile debut he shaped as if he retains more than enough ability to take adavantage.
He rounded off his two-year-old career when a cracking third to Ladies Are Forever off a mark of 90 in the listed Two-year-old Trophy at Redcar, and showed back at Newmarket in June that he retains plenty of ability when a 3/4 length runner-up to Steps off 88.
The son of Majestic Missile had Coeus, who went on to land a valuable sprint handicap at Newmarket, a length behind him that day and the form looks solid in the context of today's contest.
It was slightly disappointing the he failed to build on that effort in his next three starts, but he bounced back to form at Haydock two starts ago when finishing fifth to Zero Money and his latest effort suggests that he will be back in the winners' enclosure sooner rather than later.
At 20/1 he is simply too big to ignore and has to be the each-way play.
Recommended bet: 2pts each-way Ballista (20/1 Ladbrokes - BOG, Stan James)
