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13:50 Goodwood
An intriguing mile and a quarter handicap for four year old's and up.
Just Fine has been well fancied in a couple of hot handicaps recently, however he’s come up a bit short so far. He has been dropped a couple of pounds, but the jury is still out on his optimum trip.
Etonian could run well at a decent price for each way players. This horse looked to have real potential when winning his first two starts at two. The wheels come off slightly when he struggled at the highest level on his final start at two in the Dewhurst. He’s seems to be running into form again, particularly when beaten only a neck last time. He certainly has a chance.
The selection is Legend Of Dubai. This big horse seems like the type to improve as the season progresses, and he was well fancied when sent of favourite for the Royal Hunt Cup. Despite having won over a mile, he found things happening a little quick for him, and this step back up in trip, with a decent pace to aim at should be ideal.
LEGEND OF DUBAI (WIN)
written by Matt Polley
14:25 Goodwood
The Group 2 Vintage Stakes is the opening 2-y-o race of the Glorious Goodwood meeting, Mark Johnston has been known to target Goodwood and this year training in partnership with his son Charlie will be no different. They run two unbeaten colts in Dear My Friend and Dornoch Castle, the former was very impressive over 7 ½F last time out at Beverley and under Franny Norton and he could run well. I prefer the latter of the two though in Dornoch Castle who conceded experience and still despatched the now 90 rated Coco Jack with ease on debut, his second victory was nothing more than a racecourse gallop. I would be surprised if he was out of the places with Cieren Fallon retaining the ride.
The likely favourite and winner though for me is Holloway Boy after quite sensationally winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on his debut. Karl Burke’s colt raced in last early then travelled through and winning cosily in the style of potentially very classy animal. If he has improved any from that debut which is highly likely given natural progression, he should take a lot of beating.
HOLLOWAY BOY (WIN) written by Michael Taylor 15:00 Goodwood
A decent renewal of the Lennox Stakes, where eleven go to post.
Sacred ran a mighty race in the Platinum Jubilee, beaten on a length into fifth. There’s no doubt this step back up to seven furlongs is going to be hugely to her advantage, and she’s an obvious candidate.
Lusail has run in three consecutive Group 1 events, and performed really well, particularly his second in the St James Palace. They did finish on top of each other that day, with a couple of hard luck stories. He may have been flattered slightly.
Pogo and Kinross tie in together through their Haydock run. Pogo may struggle to hold off some of these in the finish, and Kinross would prefer some cut.
A chance is taken with the three year old Gubbass as some each way value. It’s fair to say we’ve certainly not seen the best of him so far. His running on fourth in the Greenham is rock solid, and then a staying on third to Noble Truth (Jersey winner) in a slowly run event was creditable. The likely faster pace and a gelding op could see an improved effort.
GUBBASS (E/W)
written by Matt Polley
15:35 Goodwood
A stellar renewal of the Group 1 Goodwood Cup with Stradivarius bidding for an incredible fifth win in the race. Andrea Atzeni was on board for two of those victories and renews the association after Stradivarius's luckless trip at Royal Ascot under Frankie. John Gosden's charge seems as good as ever this season and holds leading claims of maintaining his unbeaten record in this race.
The great Yeats took this prize in 2008 which is surprisingly the last time Aidan O’Brien tasted success in the Goodwood Cup. The master of Ballydoyle may remedy that stat with the strong favourite Kyprios. I was one of the doubters leading up to Royal Ascot but the regally bred son of Gallileo rallied well to lift the Gold Cup. He’s one of the least exposed horses in the field but at his prohibitive odds and question marks over the drop in trip, I’ll look elsewhere.
The ever-popular and consistent Trueshan would hold strong claims if lining up here but Alan King’s stable star has repeatedly missed engagements due to firm ground. He was an impressive winner of the Northumberland Plate in June but I’m afraid the forecasted sunny conditions mean he’ll probably be scratched once again. Princess Zoe has really captured the public’s imagination in recent seasons but is another that would appreciate softer underfoot conditions. She won the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes on firm conditions early in the season, which shows she handles the quicker surface but she’s better on soft ground.
Coltrane has always looked like a smart staying prospect and has excelled in recent starts, winning the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting and following up with a ten-length romp of a Listed contest at Sandown. Andrew Balding and Rob Hornby have a 40% success rate when teaming up recently and he must enter calculations.
COLTRANE (E/W) written by Peter Keogh 16:10 Goodwood
Course and distance victor and current market leader Celsius has been somewhat of a revelation this term and aims to make it three back to back victories on the bounce but this contest looks to be the most competitive he's had to contend with. Likely to be in the mix but I'm confident there's better value to be had elsewhere.
Unlike the aforementioned Tom Clover trained runner I find myself siding with a horse who's been far from prolific. Atalis Bay hasn't entered the winners enclosure in his last six starts but has been competing in group and listed company. The last time he lined up in a handicap he finished 3rd off a 5lb higher mark. Back in handicap company and on a more attractive mark he looks to hold a solid each way claim for Robert Cowell.
At bigger odds both Stone Of Destiny and Embour have the potential to spring a shock if they produce a performance anywhere near their best but they've been so inconsistent it's hard to catch them on a going day but I wouldn't dismiss either too readily.
If the old addage 'horses for courses' is anything to go by then Lord Riddiford might be worth a small each-way punt. Just the three runs here at Goodwood in the past have produced two victories so it's safe to say the seven year old clearly loves this venue. The horses last victory came here this time last year off a higher mark so despite a muddling season he could be primed for a big run.
ATALIS BAY (E/W)
LORD RIDDIFORD (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock
16:45 Goodwood
Eighteen two year old's charge down six furlongs in this maiden for colts and geldings.
Mischief Magic ran well on debut over course and distance to finish third. That form has been franked by the winner who went on to finish third in the Coventry. Usual improvement from first to second run will see him go close.
Chartwell House has run well in his two starts to date. However he was very keen to post last time and during the race. He maybe best left alone until he learns to race properly.
Celtic Champion looks the way to go here. He was an eye catcher on debut when slowly away at Windsor. He made steady headway in the final two furlongs under considerate handling to finish third behind a couple of decent sorts. He will have learnt a lot from that, and can take this on his way to better things.
CELTIC CHAMPION (WIN) written by Matt Polley