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13:50 Goodwood
The long-distance race on the card sees a few familiar names on the long-distance scene which you see over the course of the season coming up against each other again.
Reshoun battled well to win at Newbury however Ian Williams horse has gone up 3 pounds since that win and would need a career best almost certainly to win today. Dangerous to oppose as he does usually run his race.
Mellow Magic has been a model of consistency this season finishing in the top 3 in his last 6 races. Conditional Harry Davies takes a handy 5 pounds of so Mellow Magic is pretty much bottom weight going into this.
Hydroplane was impressive at Chester and the dual-purpose horse has 6 pounds rise for winning that race and this looks deeper. Zoffee looks in real good form at the moment and has to be considered although you have to trust he will stay the trip. Withhold was 2nd in this race last year and his now 2 pounds lower than he was when he ran last year. Will be a popular choice with Buick on board and at around 7/1 (At time of writing) holds good each way value
My selection is a different angle to say the least but at 25/1 (when writing this) and some bookies paying 4 places in this race. I fancy Dr Newland Baasem to maybe cause a bit of a Suprise. Comes into this race with what I would say a prep run in at Aintree in May. having not raced since October 2020 he was with originally Owen Burrows. Dr Newland has had to be patient with Baasem and doesn't have a load of runners on the flat 1 win in 22 runners over the last 5 years. So, it's rare for Dr Newland to send runners out on the flat. I just find it interesting he has chosen to come here with Baasem. Baasem hasn't been this distance before and although he finished 2nd last time out at 2 mile it was probably due to being of track for so long rather than not getting the trip. He has won on the flat and was a steady performer for Owen Burrows albeit winning lower graded races. Comes here with a nice racing weight as well.
I just find the angle really interesting and I'm sure Dr Newland not here for a day out
BAASEM (E/W) written by Luke Tucker 14:25 Goodwood A mixed bag of promising talent and horses who've lost their way.
If we based it on their best ever career performance both Berkshire Shadow and Bayside Boy would be head and shoulders above their fellow rivals but both haven't produced anything like their best this season and you have to worry that neither have trained on into their three year old campaigns. Of the aforementioned duo you'd argue that Berkshire Shadow showed glimpses of a return to his best when third last time out and a repeat of that performance should see him make the frame. There was a modicum of support for Checkandchallenge in the Guineas at Newmarket but he could only finish ahead of one horse that day. He dropped into handicap company last time out and filled the runners up spot at Sandown earlier in the month and although he returns to group race company I'd be shocked if he did fill one of the top three spots.
The top three in the betting are all priced pretty closely but I'm hoping I've found one that could upset the party. German raider Rocchigianni is far from prolific but finished a very creditable 5th in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. This is a much less competitive affair and the step up to one mile should also help his chances. Now with Tom Marquand booked for the ride he'll also benefit from a jockey with previous course winning experience and although there's not the 8 runners (for bookies to pay for the top three places) I'm still going to take him as an each way alternative against the main protagonists.
ROCCHIGIANNI (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock 15:00 Goodwood As one might expect, this is an absolutely savage looking renewal and attempting to narrow down the field looks a rather thankless task. However, one thing on the side of the punter appears to be the apparent draw bias as only one of the last ten winners has been drawn in double digit numbers. With the draw in mind, recent Newmarket winner, Noble Dynasty stands out like a sore thumb and Charlie Appleby's four year old can take advantage of being six pounds well in. Ouzo got no sort of run when beaten by the re-opposing Sinjaari at Sandown last time. Clearly travelling with purpose that day, he would surely have gone very close under stronger handling and the three pounds pull in the weights he receives today gives him every chance of turning the tables. Sinjaari himself keeps on improving and he deserved a change of luck last time, off ten stone he must find yet more although his profile suggests he could prove up to it.
Escobar finished a fine third in this race last term, fairly reliable in these types of races, he makes plenty of each way appeal under Dettori though his wide draw makes life very tricky. Shining Blue could be the spoiler and he catches the eye with his unbeaten record. Clearly useful and entitled to be well handicapped, he is feared although again, the wide draw looks a negative.
Saleymm doesn't look like he always puts everything into his races and whilst he won well enough last time, that came in a race he ought to have won. Shelir, Young Fire, Eilean Dubh and Revich are selected others with claims but a chance will be taken on Noble Dynasty proving too good with Ouzo taken to run into a place. NOBLE DYNASTY (WIN) OUZO (E/W) written by Chris Connolly 15:35 Goodwood Charlie Hills won this four seasons running with the brilliant, Battaash and is represented by Equilateral and Khaadem this time around. The first mentioned has started to look a little tricky as he often travels before faltering when asked for maximum effort. Twice lately this has proven to be the case and though on the face of it, his third at the Curragh was a fair enough effort, it was still disappointing to see him beaten. Khaadem has Ryan Moore on top and looks more trusty of the Hills pair, he could go close if getting an easy lead and is feared. Lazuli is smart and he readily beat a good field in Meydan, the worry with him is the level of form shown on his return when flopping at Royal Ascot, based on his two efforts here there is little confidence to be taken and looks worth taking on. Acklam Express hasn't won since his two year old days and is another who fails to convince, however, at just four there is every chance he is still finding his feet in this division and a big run could be on the cards. Raasel has improved leaps and bounds and he looks a fair market leader, this represents a stiffer task but he has to be respected given he keeps on finding more. Mitbaahy is another to consider and he holds similar claims to Raasel, all the above being said, the frustrating and perhaps slightly untrustworthy Equilateral is taken to run most of these down late on from a good looking low draw. EQUILATERAL (E/W) written by Chris Connolly 16:10 Goodwood
Rebels Romance comes into this race as the current market favourite although recently has been running in the Middle East he came back to Newmarket where he won a 4-runner race. He beat a couple of steady horses that day but no real stand out opposition but he did win well. Kemari who he did beat that day runs in here and it's difficult to see Kemari turning that form around. Do think there is value elsewhere and will be taking Rebels Romance on
Fancy Man had a lot of weight to carry last time out in a class 2 handicap at Haydock and ran a creditable 5th should be in contention here. Regal Reality is upped in trip for the first time and if he handles the trip could be interesting with Ryan Moore on board. Finished 2nd last time out which he did well considering he blew the start.
Global Storm finished third behind Yibir at Newmarket in early July which given how highly Yibir is thought of isn't a bad piece of form. Does look like Godolphin 2nd string here but many times during the season a 2nd string Godolphin horse can turn over the more fancied Godolphin horse as such dangerous to dismiss.
I really fancy Max Vega who I think is a each way shout in this race at a double figure price. Back down in trip and was really impressive on his seasonal re appearance at Newbury. Hasn't been seen since May at York where I don't think he enjoyed the trip and that's been proven where he hasn't been so successful at that distance. Was against Stradivarius that day who is hard to beat on any day. So maybe draw a line under that race. I think the price is a little big probably because of that run. Won't mind the good ground and has won at this distance. Its a competitive little race but i think Max Vega has been overlooked here judged on one bad run this season.
MAX VEGA (E/W)
written by Luke Tucker
16:45 Goodwood
Very difficult to assess this Nursery handicap race. with plenty of horses in this race winning previous races or showing glimpse of potential good form in this class 2 race for 2-year-olds.
Bolt Action at time of writing is the Market favourite after winning well at Leicester he followed up with a 6th at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle. Which when you look now the top 3 in that race have all gone on and won since that race. So that line of form does have some substance to it.
Remarkable Force looks as if he has struggled when upped in class last 2 races since difficult to fancy here. California Gem seems on the up after winning the last 2 races first go at 6 furlongs but should be able to handle that. Although the race at Beverley last time out doesn't look the strongest.
Felix Natalis is another where it just finally clicked although this will be much more competitive than Felix Natalis has faced before. Whereas others have raced in better quality races.
This really is a wide-open race and you could make a case for a few of these. Could well be this race is won by a horse which will simply improve a lot more from a previous race or just has that slightly more race experience.
I can see more improvement from Blatant and at the bigger prices he would be my selection and the faster the ground is the better this will be for Blatant. Won at Ascot on what was described as firm ground. which was seen as a real big improvement. (I really hope they don't water this ground and its left alone) he is one of a few who is proven at this distance winning twice at 6 furlongs whereas some of these in here may not even see out the trip. I just feel Blatant is more experienced already as a 2-year-old compared to others. Who may not like the big field or Goodwood experience which may stand him in good for todays race.
I just feel at around 16/1 at time of writing and there will be bookies paying 4 or 5 places it's worth the value. both his wins have been round right-handed tracks and I imagine Goodwood will suit Blatant.
BLATANT (E/W)
written by Luke Tucker