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14:00 Goodwood The first race of this years Goodwood festival is one that has seen Mark Johnston emerge victorious in four of the last ten renewals and he sends four runners in an attempt to reclaim the crown once again. While none of his quartet can be completely ruled out his best chance looks to come from last years third Fire Fighting, who arrives here 8lbs lower than last year and his best efforts on turf have come on genuine fast ground. Having said this, he is yet to win a race this year and has been beaten by wide margins in three of his last four races and as such is passed over here. Balmoral Castle has won four times from six attempts here at Goodwood and has a decent record over todays trip, having made the frame in over 50% of of runs. The course specialist is respected but would have to put in by far a career best performance having been upped 10lbs for winning last time out. Shakopee steps up in class yet deserves his chance having won a Class 4 handicap in impressive fashion when last seen, with the runner-up on that occasion going on to win next time out. Both trainer and jockey have been in great form recently and have a 33% win record when they’ve teamed up together over the last twelve months, however despite this I am happy to take him on as he has previously attempted todays trip on three occasions in Class 3’s without success. Our Channel has an excellent record over todays trip having won four from seven although three of these came on the all-weather, while Best Of Times has won over todays trip on good-to-firm ground and has a decent record here at Goodwood. Given the quality of the field it is difficult to be overly confident in any one selection however I am going for Second Wave who had a number of todays opposition in behind when second to Sir Isaac Newton in the Wolferton at Ascot on what was his seasonal re-appearance. Furthermore, he boasts a 90% career strike rate for top three finishes, has never finished outside the first three when racing on turf and races for Charlie Appleby who’s yard has been firing in the winners in recent weeks. Second Wave (E/W if 9/2+)
14:35 Goodwood Boynton may well be the one to side with in this fascinating juvenile contest. Already a winner at this track and over this trip, he certainly has all the credentials to extend his unbeaten record. A three quarter length win over War Decree should be cemented if reacting positively to his third different jockey in as many races. Being a US Bred colt, he should appreciate the likely fast surface and he can be Godolphin’s first winner in this race since Rio De La Plata back in 2007. War Decree was a disappointing favourite last time. He seemed to come through just at the right time only to drift off a straight line giving Boynton the opportunity to win. If Ryan Moore can stop that happening again he will be certainly be a lot closer to the selection. He looks to have a plum draw in stall one and he looks the biggest danger once again. Richard Hannon has a fantastic record in this race and it would be silly to write off any of his charges here. Larchmont Lad seems to be the stable’s main hope but being by Footstepsinthesand, he may well appreciate a bit of rainfall. Isomer represents a stable in fantastic form and having been placed in the Chesham at Royal Ascot, double figure odds may well prove insulting. Boynton looks a highly progressive sort and has won both of his previous races in good style. He can confirm the recent form with War Decree and can go onto bigger and brighter things in future. Boynton (WIN) Isomer (E/W if 9/2+)
15:10 Goodwood On paper this race looks to revolve around the two market principles Home Of The Brave and Dutch Connection. The Godolphin owned Home Of The Brave is unbeaten in two runs this season, is a dual Group 3 winner and has won four from five over todays trip. He will likely go straight to the front and attempt to repel all challengers, tactics that have proved fruitful in all career wins so far. In contrast Dutch Connection, who is also owned by Godolphin, hasn’t won in over a year however has placed second in four of his last six including when second to Toormore in this race last year. He has previous course form, has won three from five over todays trip and all three career wins have come on good-to-firm ground. Furthermore he is partnered by James Mcdonald who has been in fine form with a 32% winning strike rate over the last two weeks. Godolphin also send Birchwood who won a Group 2 race on good-to-firm ground over todays distance last summer, got back to winning ways at Listed level earlier this month and if producing a similar run again looks the most likely to give the aforementioned two something to think about. Dutch Connection (WIN)
15:45 Goodwood Godolphin have three entered into the Summer Stakes over the 1m6f trip. Qewy returned to the level after a spell with John Ferguson over hurdles. The six year old shaped well in the Ascot Stakes running on from out of the clouds to finish second by a neck. He’s a useful performer, so is on the shortlist after that effort. The most interesting of the trio is Francis Of Assisi, who like Qewy was with Ferguson for a time. This son of Danehill Dancer ran in the Listed Silver Cup at York at the start of the month and the handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds for his fourth placed effort. He’s coming back into a handicap here and could have something to offer at this trip. He has some smart form over obstacles too and if able to translate it could look overpriced. King Bolete is in search of a hat trick at wins at Ascot and Haydock. The latter of those wins has worked out with Tawdeea complementing the form by winning at that track and David O’Meara’s charge re-opposes once more. I have two slight concerns about the Roger Varian runner in this race. His only previous attempt at this trip saw him stuffed, but trying to make all at York isn’t easy, and secondly most of his wins have been on flat galloping tracks, something that Goodwood isn’t. Of the rest then a small mentions goes to Sylvester Kirk’s Gold Prince, who has held his form quite well this season with three second placed efforts from four starts. The blinkers go on to eek out that bit extra and he’s stepped up in trip, which might not be ideal. Frankie Dettori on board is eye-catching too. Francis Of Assisi (E/W)
16:20 Goodwood Another extremely competitive large field handicap to get our teeth in to for race five at Goodwood. Frankie Dettori has an excellent record here and although doesn’t ride very often for Nigel Tinkler his two rides for the trainer in the last twelve months have given him one winner and one placed effort so his booking on Thesme here could prove significant. The four year old filly has been extremely consistent and boasts a 70% strike rate for making the frame over the minimum trip, although the early odds don’t look particularly enticing in a race of this nature. Top-weight Maljaa looks to be a decent each way price especially when considering he has won three and placed six times from eleven runs over todays trip. He disappointed at Epsom on penultimate run (on soft ground) before running an excellent race on faster ground at Ascot earlier this month. Although finishing seventh he was only a length away from the winner in a bunched finish and has been eased 1lbs. Bowson Fred finished finished a head in front of Maljaa last time out and with Nathan Evans 5lbs claim is better off at the weights than the Roger Varian runner here today. He has only finished a length behind the winner in his last three runs and won his last two prior to that so has been holding his form well and another bold run looks assured. Another of interest is Blythe Spirit who won at Chester on Saturday and is sent out again quickly under a 6lbs penalty. It remains to be seen if she is as effective away from Chester or of this will come too soon but she was a thoroughly convincing all-the-way winner and as such cannot be deserted here. Bowson Fred (E/W) Blythe Spirit (E/W)
16:55 Goodwood The penultimate race of day one sees a very tricky race to decipher as twelve horses line up to hopefully shake off their maiden tag. The short priced favourite and Clive Cox trained Harry Angel ran well on debut when finishing a close second to Reach High at Ascot last time out when closing in the final stages. A race in which the fifth placed runner has subsequently won and the sixth placed horse has gone on to pick up a handful of placed efforts. The horse will obviously need to improve on that effort but with the advantage of a run already under its belt, plus a more preferable low draw I can’t see the favourite losing unless something a bit special is making its debut. Of the debutants both Hugo Palmer’s Mazyoun and Mark Johnston’s Rich And Famous look to have the best chances with slight preference going to the Johnston horse. The Al Maktoum owned runner is beautifully bred and with James McDonald tearing it up on his visit to the UK it looks likely to give the favourite the most to think about. Of the remainder both of Richard Hannon’s horses have to be respected as does Charle’s Hills’s Parys Mountain but alas I’m siding with the favourite to go one better this time out. Harry Angel (WIN)
17:30 Goodwood The final race on day one of Glorious Goodwood is a Class 3 handicap over a mile. Early favourite Pure Art won on debut on the all-weather before following up with two placed efforts since switching to turf. The most recent of these placed efforts came when chasing home Pirouette who has since franked the form with an excellent second in the Woodford Reserve handicap at Ascot on Saturday so with further progression likely she is one to keep a close eye on. Slight preference is for Quebee who has been in excellent form recently with two wins from her last two runs, both over a mile. A 3lbs rise could prove lenient given the way she put both races to bed and if running to the same standard again here she looks sure to be in the first three at the very least. Of the remainder Haley Bob has to be considered for the Mark Johnston yard given their record here in recent years, while Desert Haze has an 80% strike rate for making the frame over a mile and Shwaimsa catches the eye thanks to jockey booking Frankie Dettori. Quebee (E/W if 9/2+)
