Hi all,
Five days of top class racing gets underway in Sussex this afternoon. Yes, it’s the start of Qatar sponsored “Glorious” Goodwood Festival.
If we accept that Royal Ascot is the best racing festival of the summer quality wise. Where does the Qatar Goodwood Festival rank? Well, I’m biased but I don’t think it’s as good as York’s Ebor Festival. However, I would rank it ahead of Newmarket’s July Festival and Doncaster’s St Leger Festival.
Inside today’s preview I’m looking at the best of the Goodwood card. Plus, the feature race from the Galway Festival the valuable COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap (6:40).
As has been the case this summer, it’s all eyes on the weather front and it’s an unsettled picture. If the weather app I consult is right, we could see a fair bit of rain at the track over the first two days. The forecast for the rest of the meeting keeps changing, which tells you all you need to know.
The going at Goodwood, on Monday morning, was described as good to soft, soft in places. If further rain has arrived, I can see the meeting getting underway on soft ground. The feature race of an eight race card is the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (4:35). The undercard also features to Group 2’s the Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes (3:25) and the World Pool Lennox Stakes (4:00). There’s also four competitive handicaps and a juvenile maiden race.
ITV’s coverage of the Women’s Football World Cup means its racing output starts later than usual. The first race live on ITV being the Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (2:50) and the broadcaster is only covering four races each day this week. That means ITV Racing fans will miss out on a cacking sprint handicap (1:40) that opens today’s card.
I’m going to begin today’s main piece with a preview of the three Group races beginning with the Goodwood Cup.
Qatar Goodwood Festival – Day 1
Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (4:35)
The first and second in the Ascot Gold Cup Courage Mon Ami & Coltrane renew rivalry in the Goodwood Cup. They face nine rivals including two from the Aidan O’Brien yard in Emily Dickinson & Broome.
The more rain the better for Emily Dickinson who ran well at last year’s meeting on good to firm ground. Last year’s St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov bids to get his career back on track after a poor run in the Gold Cup.
I think Courage Mon Ami will confirm Ascot form with Coltrane. I’m not sure either would want the ground to ease too much though.
Emily Dickinson has nearly five lengths to find with the pair on Ascot Gold Cup running but softer ground suits her much better as we saw last time at the Curragh. Some ease in the ground could also help Eldar Eldarov. Who would be a big threat if bouncing to his best form.
Ocean Wind was returning from a mammoth 771 day break when a 3 ½ length 3rd of 6 to Yibir in listed race at Sandown last time. He showed last time that he has retained plenty of his old ability. A progressive stayer back in 2020 who had ran Stradivarius to length in the 2021 Sagaro Stakes prior to the injury that kept him off the track for so long. On soft ground a big run could be forthcoming from the 7-year-old.
World Pool Lennox Stakes (4:00)
Kinross won this in 2021 and was only beaten a neck in last year’s race. He will be a warm order to go one place better this time around.
His biggest rivals look to be the 3-year-old Isaac Shelby and Audience.
Isaac Shelby won the Greenham Stakes over today’s distance on seasonal return and was only beaten a neck in the French 2,000 Guineas. No match for Paddington when fourth in the St James Palace Stakes (1m) last time. I think the drop back to 7f on rain softened ground could really suit the colt.
Audience is 2-2 since the fitting of the hood and a gelding operation and he posted a career best on RPR’s when making all to win a Group 3 at Newmarket 31 days ago. The 4-year-old is worth his place in the line-up but has yet to race ground worse than good.
Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes (3:25)
The third of today’s Group races. This won for the juveniles. Haatem fifth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot was out in his place when a 6 ½ length 2nd of 9 to City Of Troy in a Group 2 at Newmarket 17 days ago.
Despite his strong form he’s not the clear bookie’s early bird favourite. He’s vying for favouritism with Iberian.
Iberian was impressive when winning on racecourse debut at Newbury last month. The son of Lope De Vega looked a smart prospect that day and given connections are happy to throw him straight into a Group 2 he must be highly regarded. I think he missed the race won by City Of Troy on account of the rain if that’s right his participation could be in doubt once more.
Golden Mind, trained by Richard Fahey, overcame greenness to get up close to home in a Leicester maiden on his second start. The colt improved for the step up to 7f when dead heating for third behind Snellen in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. A half-brother to the yards Group 1 winner Perfect Power. He’ll need to have improved again from Royal Ascot but Frankie Dettori is an interesting jockey booking.
The rest of the Goodwood card
1:40 – Coral Handicap (Class 2) – 5f
Likely favourite Raasel’s C&Dform figures are 112. That second placed effort came when finishing a neck 2nd of 11 to Khaadem in the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes 12 months ago. He looks well treated on last year’s from here but at 5/1 is plenty short enough especially if the ground continues to ease.
Lord Riddiford is another with a good C&D record – 3 wins from 4 runs. He’s won this race for the last two years and the 8-year-old is now 3lb below last year’s winning mark. Effective on soft ground but he’s been down the field on two starts this season. I tipped him up last year, but his current well-being is a concern.
Vintage Clarets comes into the race in cracking form having won at Chester and the valuable Gosforth Park Cup Handicap at Newcastle. He showed he remains in form when a 1 ¼ length 3rd of 15, one place in front of Raasel, at Ascot 17 days ago. Likely to give his running once more for a yard in form.
Whenthedealinsdone is the one I like at the prices. The 5-year-old won the 3-year-old handicap over C&D at the 2021 festival and was back to winning ways at Ascot last September, from today’s mark. Has been ‘hit and miss’ this season but there has been promise in a couple of his runs. Not so good in the first time blinkers at Ascot last time and has 4 lengths to find with Vintage Clouds on that running. Better expected here with blinkers replaced by the returning cheekpieces and the yard in better form.
2:15 – British EBF 40th Anniversary Maiden Stakes – 6f
Likely favourite Array looks to have the best form of juveniles to have had a run. The son of No Nay Never was a promising 1 ¼ length 2nd of 8 at Newbury on his racecourse debut 26 days ago. That level of form should be good enough to win a maiden, but he does face some nicely bred newcomers.
The John & Thady Gosden trained Dorney Lake looks to have a speedily bred pedigree and his dam did win on soft ground which could be handy here. The yard doesn’t have many 2-year-old debutants at Goodwood (3 winners from 24 runners, 8 placed since 2009).
The most interesting of the newcomers looks to be the Richard Hannon trained A La Noche. The son of Lope De Vega cost 300,000gns as a foal and is closely related to three winners who all won as 2-year-olds. All three of his siblings also won on soft/heavy ground. On pedigree there are races to be won with the colt and the trainer saddled the winner of this contest in 2015 & 2018.
2:50 – Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f
The sponsors have installed the William Haggas trained Millebosc as the 5/1 favourite. The 5-year-old hasn’t been with the trainer long and returned from an 8 month absence with an encouraging 5 ¾ length 7th of 18 in the John Smith’s Cup at York 17 days ago. He was doing best at the finish last time and his best form when trained in France came on soft ground.
Paradias has been in good form this season winning at Sandown two starts back and showed he handled the Goodwood undulations with two placed efforts here last season. Capable of going well again on an easy surface albeit he could find one or two better treated rivals.
Haunted Dream finished runner-up at Sandown two starts back (Paradias fifth) and bettered that form when a 1 ½ length 3rd of 18 in the John Smith’s Cup at York last time. Nudged up another 2lb but likely to be in the mix once again.
Eagle’s Way is the least exposed of the 16 runners. An improver for going handicapping last season winning all four starts over 1m 2f. The 4-year-old was making a belated seasonal reappearance when a head 2nd of 11 at Yarmouth 5 days ago. A quick turnaround shouldn’t be an issue as he’s 1-1 when returning from a 7 day or less break. Handled good to soft last week and mark of 96 looks workable.
Soto Sizzler has just had two starts since joining Gary Moore but shaped with encouragement when 3rd of 8 at Epsom back in April. and Ryan Moore whose form figures on the horse are 5112 is back in the saddle. Ryan is 5-12, 8 places when combining with his father in the past two years. A previous course winner for his former yard is down to his last season’s winning mark and although he may need further is expected to go close.
Moktasaab is a talented but quirky and not the most consistent of handicappers. However, there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from his 1 ½ length 5th of 13 at York in May, from 5lb higher. Not as good on either start since but didn’t get the best of runs when behind Haunted Dream & Paradias at Sandown last time. Two of his best four RPR’s have come over C&D including when a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 18 in last year’s race off 5lb higher. He’s well treated on a going day but the yard is 0-27 in the past 14 days which is a concern.
5:05 – Coral Fillies’ Handicap (Class 3) – 1m
The first of a couple of tricky handicaps that conclude Tuesday’s card. Rowayeh has won her last two starts at Beverley & latterly on handicap debut at Sandown 45 days ago. The runner-up at Sandown has since gone on to win a Listed race, so the form looks solid enough. A 5lb rise doesn’t look harsh as she’s capable of more improvement but she’s drawn 18 of 20.
Stormy Sea won a Haydock novice on her seasonal return and ran decently when a 4 length 6th of 8 in a Listed race at York next time. Has been given a 74 day break since and we haven’t likely seen the best of Bay Bridge’s half-sister. Strong claims if handling today’s softer ground with Ryan Moore booked. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute saddled last year’s winner.
Good Gracious ended last season with a win in a Newcastle nursery. She’s progressed with each start this season and improved for the fitting of the first time blinkers when winning an Ascot handicap 18 days ago. An 8lb rise makes life tougher but she handled ran softened ground last time and if the headgear continues to work, she’s a player despite stall 17. Yard has won this twice since 2018.
Espressoo, a winner at Ayr in May, was back to form when an improved 1 length 2nd of 9 in a Pontefract Listed race three weeks ago. Off the same mark and has a good draw in stall four for a front runner.
Royal Dress has two winson soft & heavy the latest of them coming at Haydock (7f) 10 days ago. A 6lb rise looks workable for Haydock success especially if the ground continues to ease further. Steps up to a mile for the first time but is bred to stay and the yard won this in 2021.
Floating Spirit won her first starts on the all-weather earlier in the year. Possibly unsuited by soft ground when well beaten in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket in May. Has been given an 86 day break and gets the first time cheekpieces on handicap debut. Probably capable of better but rain softened ground is off-putting.
She’s Hot won twice last season and although she hasn’t won this season on RPR’s she seems to have improved from two to three. Came up against a subsequent Royal Ascot winner in Burdett Road when a 4 ½ length 2nd of 6 at Newbury (1m 2f) 55 days ago. Returns from wind surgery and gets cheekpieces for the first time cheekpieces. Has what could be a handy draw in stall 7 and one for the shortlist.
5:35 – World Pool British EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 3) – 6f
Funny Story won well at Nottingham two starts back but wasn’t at her best in Listed company at Ayr last time. Now 5lb higher than when winning at Nottingham but capable of going well. Might prefer a stiffer track and soft ground would be an unknown.
Kitai bids for the hat trick after winning at Carlisle & Pontefract. Up 7lb for her Pontefract success but the 3-year-old’s going the right way and her last two successes have come with soft in the going description.
Crazy Luck twice a winner last summer. The mare has finished runner-up twice over C&D in the past and was very unlucky in the run when a 7 length 9th of 12 in last year’s race. Disappointed last time but was back to form two starts back when a neck 2nd of 7 at Windsor in May. Below her last winning mark and high on the shortlist.
Executive Decision caught the eye on her second start since joining Jamie Osborne when a 4 ¼ length 5th of 16 to Quinault in hot Newmarket sprint handicap at Newmarket 19 days ago. Has been eased 1lb and is back against her own sex here. A juvenile winner when trained by Jessica Harrington she has a race in her off her present mark.
Galway
6:40 – COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 1m ½ f
First and interesting stats. Just 1 winner from 77 runners has managed to come from stalls 1 to 8 to win this race in the past ten years. The draw bias means I’m looking to runners drawn in double digit stall.
Alanya formerly trained in France improved to win on stable/handicap debut at the Curragh (1m 2f) 31 days ago. An 8lb rise might well underestimate the filly given the ease of her success last time. Drops back in trip, on different going and stall 2 may not be where she wants to be.
Dunum is a previous course winner (7f) at last year’s meeting. Returned to action with a win in a Limerick handicap in April and was only beaten a short head in a Premier Handicap at the Curragh on his next start. Possibly found good to firm ground to quick when down the field in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last time. Looked at a horse still ahead of his mark at the Curragh and high on my shortlist from stall 16.
Coeur D’Or has been in good form since returning to action in May and posted a career best as a 7-year-old when a good length 3rd of 14 in a Leopardstown Premier Handicap 19 days ago. The tongue tie is back on today and a strongly run race will suit and he’s got strong claims from stall 15.
Mister Wilson has been running well over hurdles of late and return to the flat for this first time in 2023. A winner over C&D last September he was only beaten a ½ length when 2nd of 14 at Tipperary last October, off today’s mark. Soft ground suits and he’s on a competitive mark from what could be handy draw in stall 17.
Betting Advice
Goodwood
1:40 – Whenthedealinsdone – 14/1 @ Bet365
2:50 – Eagle’s Way – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:05 – Royal Dress – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and She’s Hot – 1pt win – 25/1 @ Bet365
5:35 – Crazy Look – 1pt win – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Executive Decision – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Galway
6:40 – Dunum – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Bet365 and Mister Wilson – 1pt win – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John