Rain rain stay away as I am attending Goodwood this afternoon as a paying customer (makes a change) for a sort of non-work day which I am hoping will involve a few winners that will be needed to help to pay for a few drinks in the overpriced Sussex bars. It isn’t an easy card (they never are at the better meetings), and trying to pick in all seven races is akin to financial suicide but that is the order of the day and all we can do is give it another go!
1.50pm – The race planners are at it again with a handicap to start the day off and eleven runners all set to do battle over the ten furlongs or so at the switchback track. Mark Johnston has won four of the last ten renewals and three of the last six and has to be respected here, though whether The Trader or Victory Command are quite good enough this year is a moot point. Dalaalaat looks a major player and is now going the right way for trainer William Haggas and was not overlooked with any confidence but I will give Fox Premier another chance at double figure odds that look far too big in my view. Ian Balding’s son of Frankel won his first two starts this season over this trip and although well beaten last time out, that was a race you can easily put a line through. Impeded after a couple of furlongs he then failed to get a run when needed before looking one paced after finally being switched around the field but that was over two furlongs further as well giving him every excuse. He is clearly a lot better than that and although he still needs a clear career best today, he could prove hard to keep out of the frame if Lady Luck smiles on him this afternoon.
2.25pm – A Group Two for two-year-olds that used to produce top class winners back in the day but it seems reasonable to suggest that recent renewals haven’t been up to scratch and I can’t find a household name on the honour roll within my (fading) memory, and sadly this year looks little different. Threat looked a little bit unlucky when runner up in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and certainly deserves his place at the head of the market on that effort though he wasn’t far in front of Guildsman who re-opposes and is twice his price. Aidan O’Brien can never be discounted but both King Neptune and Royal Dornoch have something to find, and I will weigh in with Royal Commando who I am hoping is the better of the Charlie Hills pair. Twice raced, he ran away with a Doncaster maiden last time out by an impressive three and a quarter lengths and although this is a different kettle of fish, his trainer will know if he is good enough or not and the fact that he bothers sending him here is good enough for me.
3.00pm - I seems fair to say that for a Group Two, the Gordon Stakes has thrown up some high class winners over the years including Highland Reel, Crystal Ocean, and Cross Counter to name but three. Those predecessors leave the winner this year with plenty to find but there are some decent sorts lining up over the mile and a half including the unbeaten Leo De Fury who looks likely to continue improving race on race. An easy five length maiden win at The Curragh was followed by a similar romp at Navan and although this represents a big step up in class, he is hopefully ready for the challenge. Staying on strongly over ten furlongs last time he may well do even better upped to this trip and although it seems safe to say that Dal Horrisgle and Constantinople look serious rivals, I see no reason to fear either and will be backing the son of Australia accordingly.
3.35pm – A cracker of a contest seems assured ahead of the Group One Nassau Stakes, a race won by Midday three times in a row and by Wild Illusion last season. Hermosa will go close for Aidan O’Brien if getting the extra quarter mile at the first attempt, while Mehdaayih represents John Gosden who won this race in 2012 2013 and 2014 but a chance is taken (once again) on French raider Channel who looks the better value. Three wins in a row after her debut second mark her out as a horse with plenty of ability and include the Group One Prix de Diane Longines last time out when staying on strongly to get up by a head at the line. There is no guarantee she will adapt to the British racing style but she should get an even better early pace to attack from in this line-up and won’t be too far away at the finish.
4.10pm – A handicap by any other name next as we have a nursery over the seven furlongs here which is a handicap restricted to two-year-olds. Charlie Appleby’s Full Verse is forced to give three pounds or more away all around which looks a big ask but then again, he did win last time out at Doncaster albeit by the narrowest of margins. This looks tougher and he will need to improve again to take a hand and I prefer the chances of Picture Frame who also carries the Godolphin colours though this time with the white cap. Stepped up to this trip last time out at Newbury he strolled clear of his field despite still looking as if he was learning his craft and if he can add to that at these weights he may well take some stopping with Governor Of Punjab taken for the big priced forecast.
4.45pm – Fillies only for this seven-furlong juveniles maiden but some well bed sorts and plenty of the top stables represented to make life that little bit more difficult. Craylands ran very well when second on her debut at Newmarket on the July course and with the Michael Bell youngsters invariably open to a ton of improvement, the daughter of Golden Horn could prove tough to beat with Frankie Dettori in the saddle. Naturally, there are plenty of dangers in a field of this size, with Vividly sure to do better after her debut third, and Godolphin’s unraced Good Reason an unknown quantity, while Aiden O’Brien’s poor record here with maidens has to end some time, and Salsa is well worth a market watch for signs of stable confidence.
5.20pm – A tough handicap to end the card as if to make sure I leave without a penny in my pocket and luck in running plus a smart start will be needed to come home ahead over the five furlongs in this line-up. French raider Jungle Speed looks pretty interesting and is a tough nut who will prove very hard to pass if he has the speed to get to the front dropped back to this trip and from the seven stall I am hopeful that he make his play with a place more than good enough for me at the forecast prices. Amplify is improving race on race and won’t be far away for Brian Meehan with Oisin Murphy in the saddle but he does have an added three pounds on ground that may prove too soft for him, while Tinto caught the eye at Bath and is another going the right way of late.
Sean’s Suggestions:
Fox Premiereach-way 1.50pm Goodwood Thursday
Royal Commando each-way 2.25pm Goodwood Thursday
Leo De Fury each-way 3.00pm Goodwood Thursday
Channel each-way 3.35pm Goodwood Thursday
Picture Frame each-way 4.10pm Goodwood Thursday
Craylands 4.45pm Goodwood Thursday
Jungle Speed each-way 5.15pm Goodwood Thursday
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