_edited.png)
14:00 Goodwood A staying handicap over two mile and five furlongs kick starts day two of Glorious Goodwood and this no doubt is a tough one to solve as the majority of the field have yet to race over a trip as long as this and aren’t sure to stay. One that will stay however is the 2014 winner Teak who has a fine record at this course and also ran well in this last year. He’s been very disappointing lately though and its difficult to fancy him on recent form given he’s been tailed off on his last two flat runs and hasn’t been cutting it over hurdles of late either. If a return to this track can spark a revival he isn’t without a chance and could well out run his odds. Seaside Sizzler is another who will stay and is a regular in these types of races, he’s been in decent form this season and has an e/w chance. Oceane only got two pound for beating Steve Rogers 19 days ago and he’s an unexposed type who gives the impression this sort of trip might suit, the handicappers been lenient with him and has giving him a real chance of following up here. The Cashel Man will likely go off favourite and will no doubt be giving a typically patient Spencer ride from a wide draw in 15, he’s one of the more obvious contenders and if staying will surely go very close. Moscato is closest to him in the betting and he’s one i like a lot. He’s been running extremely well without winning in these big staying handicaps this season but today might be the day that changes. His trainer couldn’t be in better form and this grey son of Hernando gave the impression this trip would suit with a fine fourth in the Ascot stakes at Royal Ascot and when he was a staying on fourth in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last time. Percy Veer is another worth a mention as he looked a bit unlucky not to finish closer at Newbury 12 days ago over three furlongs shorter than todays trip. He’s been running well this season in good company and as long as the ground stays good he has a right e/w chance with Edward Greatrex claiming a useful 3lb. Moscato (E/W) Percy Veer (E/W)
14:35 Goodwood Prize Money ran absolutely no race at Newmarket last time when put well and truly in his place by Housesofparliament in the Bahrain Trophy. The rain looks set to arrive in time for him today though and that should see him return to somewhere near his best. He was well fancied in his previous outing and no doubt his effort will have stunned connections. James Doyle is once again in the saddle and the combination are well worth another chance to prove that his latest effort was just a glitch. Qatari Hunter has been raised twenty eight pounds since notching up his sequence of wins four runs ago. He is clearly as tough as teak and he would have had any amount of opportunities to increase his winning run in his native Ireland. The fact that Jim Bolder sends him here speaks for itself and he looks a massive threat. Shogun has never been a leading light for Ballydoyle but this is no classic and he want that far behind Harzand at The Curragh last time. This massive drop in class and the assistance of Ryan Moore in the saddle mean that he too commands respect. Godolphin landed this event three years ago with Cap O’ Rushes and the team have been in excellent form of late. Prize Money is taken to redeem his somewhat tarnished reputation and can go close here. Prize Money (E/W if 9/2+)
15:10 Goodwood The Sussex Stakes over a mile is the big race of the day with the three Guineas winner’s all taking each other on for the second time with a few smart older horses in there for extra spice. Galileo Gold came out on top at Royal Ascot when giving a brilliant ride from Frankie Dettori and he has course form too which is an added bonus having won the Vintage Stakes at this meeting last year. Awtaad beat Galileo Gold in the Irish Guineas and there was no fluke about it as he travelled like a real good horse and quickened away well on that occasion. The ground was the excuse at Ascot for him and I think he’s overpriced around 6/1 for today’s race. The Gurkha is the final Guineas winner we come to and he split Galileo Gold and Awtaad at Ascot and looked to be a tad unlucky on that occasion to. I personally think he’s the best of the three and although he still has to prove that I think he may well do so today on this quicker surface. He’s the only one of the three to have run since Ascot when finishing 2nd in the Eclipse over a mile and two and the drop back to a mile certainly won’t be a problem here. Lightening Spear looks the pick of the older generation after a cracking run in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot on ground he wouldn’t have been in love with and he certainly isn’t without a chance in this group one showpiece. Toormore deserves a mention as he loves this place and has form figures of 121 at this meeting. The Gurkha (WIN)
15:45 Goodwood The Last Lion has only finished outside of the first two places one in five races and that was when he was beaten only by the narrowest of margins in a conditions race at Ascot back in April. He will certainly appreciate any rain that falls having taken a listed contest at Sandown on his most recent start. Franny Norton has built up an excellent rapport with the two year old and this speedy son of Choisir can add to Mark Johnston’s excellent record at this meeting. Nayyar was an easy winner at Chepstow on his racecourse debut but won in the style that was certainly eye-catching. Having missed the break, he made up ground quickly and won going away in the end. He is bound to improve for that experience and he looks well worth this step up in class. The yard took this with Cotai Glory a couple of years ago so they know what is required. Sportsmanship won at the third time of asking when last seen out at Leopardstown a fortnight ago. All of his experience to date has been over a furlong further but Ryan Moore is likely to make use of his proven stamina and they may well be prominent from the get go. He seems to be versatile regarding ground conditions and he has to rate highly on any shortlist. The Last Lion is certainly one of the most experienced runners in the line up and that will work to his advantage. The yard continue to be in excellent form and they struck gold here yesterday with Fire Fighting. This race is likely to have been his target for quite some time and he may well prove up to the task. The Last Lion (WIN)
16:20 Goodwood This maiden may be between Bithynia and Bouquet De Flores who were both backed as though defeat was out of the question on their debuts. Preference is for the latter as she looked like a filly who would improve no ends from her debut where she was slowly into stride and quiet green before running on late. The 2nd and 5th in that race have since won and the winner of that race looked well above average. Bouquet De Flores is clearly well regarded and may prove tough to beat with a run under her belt. Bithniya also has plenty of potential going forward after a fine introduction at Sandown back in May. The winner, 2nd and 8th in that maiden have all won since and this daughter of Kodiac will appreciate the step up to six furlongs but might find one to good in the shape of the selection. Sky Ballerina was very green on her debut and will no doubt improve and looks best of the rest. Promising looks the most interesting of the newcomers. Bouquet Des Flores (WIN)
16:55 Goodwood Shaan has certainly been a model of consistency for Richard Hannon and she seemed to thrive when upped to this trip at Newmarket a couple of weeks ago. She turned over a Godolphin hotpot that day and she looks to still be open to further improvement. This front runners tracker ought to lend itself well to her running style and Frankie Dettori resumes his role as stable jockey for Al Shaqab racing. Intimation is likely to prove popular given the combination of Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore. Having fluffed her lines on her two most recent starts, it is not the greatest of surprises to see her take a significant drop in class. She has won at this trip and if appreciating the lesser grade, she may well be capable of making her presence felt. Sagely is forgiven his recent run on the all weather at Newcastle as she was clearly out of her depth. If the ground stays dry her chances shall increase a day she would have live each way claims. Shaan at least arrives here fully race fit and at the top of her game. The same cannot be said for most of her rivals. The rise in grade looks worth the risk and she ought to go very close if allowed to dominate from the outset. Shaan (WIN)
17:25 Goodwood Afjaan is very short for this seven furlong handicap and although I normally wouldn’t back horses so short in races of this nature I do think he’ll be very hard to beat with some luck in running. He should have won at Lingfield last time but was giving plenty to do and also met trouble in running. He runs here off the same mark and is no doubt still ahead of the handicapper based on that run. As long as he doesn’t get caught on the rail and has a bit of luck on his side he should prove tough to beat. Frankie takes over from Pat Cosgrave for the in form William Haggas team. Pastoral Player won this last year and has returned to form the last twice, he runs well here and should run his race again. Czech It Out is another who runs the track well and with some luck in running could make the frame. Twin Sails has plenty of ability and is running into form. If he comes back to his best he’s a big danger. Rex Imperator won the Stewards Cup off 104 at this meeting back in 2013 and although he’s a tricky customer nowadays if things fall right for him he’s very capable on his day. He’s another who seems to be finding form at just the right time for this and off 90 looks a decent e/w bet and Id recommend a little saver on him. Afjaan (WIN) Rex Imperator (E/W)
Comments