Hi all,
Qatar Goodwood Festival – Day 1
1:50 – The Trader has had a gelding operation since his last run at Newmarket 20-days ago. If the procedure has had the desired effect, then the Mark Johnston trained runner looks on a competitive mark.
Fox Premier had looked a progressive middle-distance handicapper when winning at Chelmsford (beat The Trader) & Sandown back in May. He had a rough passage when down the field in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot and should be judged to harshly on that run. The drop back to 1m2f should be in his favour. He beat The Trader ½ length at Chelmsford but is now 13lb worse off with the Mark Johnston horse.
Walkinthesand & Korcho were first & second in a valuable 1m 2f handicap at Newmarket 20-days ago. The first named won by a length that day, he’s progressive and looked a Group horse in the making. Trainer Richard Hannon won this race in 2015. Korcho is also going the right way and shouldn’t be far away either.
Sinjaari, head the market. He wasn’t seen to best effect from his wide draw at Royal Ascot. He’s better judged on his short head second to Headman in the London Gold Cup, two starts back. Looks to have a favourites chance dropped to 1m 2f.
Walkinthesand – 13/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
The Trader – 14/1 @ Paddy Power – each way – (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:35 – The feature race of day three is the Group 1 Nassau Stakes.
Hermosa, did the English/Irish 1,000 Guineas Double in the spring before finishing runner-up in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Steps up to 1m 2f but on pedigree she should be suited to it. Sets the standard and will be hard to beat.
Mehdaayih, won the Cheshire Oaks in impressive style and was then sent off the 11/4 favourite for the Oaks but had a rough passage that day and could only finish 7th of 14 at Epsom. Was able to show her true form when winning 1m 4f Group 2 at Saint-cloud 32-days ago. The drop back in trip won’t be a problem and trainer John Gosden did win this race three times between 2012 & 2014.
Rawdaa, trained by Sir Michael Stoute is an improving 4-year-old who ran Lah Ti Dar to a neck in Group 2 at York in May. Dropped back to a mile, she ran well to finish runner-up in the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. The return to 1m 2f will be in her favour and her improvement may not have levelled out. She can run well and has each way claims.
Channel, won the Prix Diane (French Oaks) on her last start. Just 1 ¼ lengths separated the first six home that day in what was a slowly run race which turned into a bit of sprint to the line. Hopefully a better run race can see the daughter of Nathanial in an even better light. The bookies clearly don’t rate the form of the race as they have her at what looks a generous price. She’s 15/2 with Paddy Power and just 6/1 with William Hill.
Channel – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Bet365
5:20 – The most interesting runner is the French trained runner Jungle Speed who won a 6f handicap, in France, when last in action, 103-days ago. It’s hard to say whether he’s well handicapped or not off 90 but he’s only had the five career starts so could be capable of better. However, his trainer Fabrice Chappet is 3-8 38% with his runners in the past 14-days and know how to win a sprint in Britain as he trained the winner of the sprint on All Weather Finals Day.
Jungle Speed – 18/1 @ William Hill – each way – (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Galway Festival – Day 4
4:55 – Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (Grade A) – 2m
I’m going with a couple of Willie Mullins runners here. Riven Light is the class horse of the race based on his flat form and. He’s 1 win from 6 runs over hurdles and the 7-year-old hasn’t been seen over the obstacles since finishing runner-up in a novice hurdle at the 2017 Punchestown Festival. He hadn’t seemed a natural over hurdles, needs jump better than during his novice season, but he’s an incredibly well handicapped horse if he can translate his ability on the level to hurdles. Twice a winner at Galway there are no issues with the track.
The other Mullins runner who appeals is another useful flat performer in Stratum. A C&D maiden hurdle winner back in September 2017, 2 wins from 6 runs over hurdles, the 6-year-old put in his best performance over hurdles in a valuable 2m 4f Punchestown Handicap back in May when 4th of 20 behind stablemate Mr Adjudicator. Plenty of stamina for a strongly run 2m and a useful 7lb conditional has been booked for the ride.
Riven Light – 10/1 @ Ladbrokes & Paddy Power
Stratum – 12/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John