Hi all,
I’m writing this preview before racing on Friday, so I don’t know how yesterday’s selections fared but hopefully the service was back among the winners.
Plenty of things have confounded me so far this week. It’s just been a tough week and I really haven’t managed to get my eye so far.
Thankfully most of my strongest fancies are due to run over the next few days so there’s plenty of time to turn things round.
It’s the final day of Glorious Goodwood and if the weather forecasters are right the weather is going to be anything but glorious. Mind you I’m hoping the rain does arrive as I have big fancy in the Stewards Cup who needs genuinely soft ground.
ITV are covering four races from Goodwood and two from Newmarket this afternoon. I have looked at five of ITV races plus the Galway feature race.
At the end of today’s review, you’ll find selections for both Goodwood and Galway.
Goodwood
1:50 – Coral Stewards’ Sprint Handicap (Consolation Race For The Stewards’ Cup) (Class 2) – 6f
Zaman Jemil built on the promise of his Windsor seasonal return when winning a Thirsk handicap 31 days ago. He showed a good turn of foot to quicken clear of his rivals in the final half furlong. He’s got a 6lb penalty to carry for that success which shouldn’t stop him from following up but it was quick ground at Thirsk and the 3-year-old has yet to run on ground worse than good to soft. Ryan Moore has been booked and he’s the most likely winner but can’t select him at 3/1 given soft ground is an unknown.
Many A Star won this corresponding race last year and is now 2lb lower. He’s been well beaten on both starts this season and his best form has come on a sound surface but there’s no doubt he’s well treated when he does bounce back to form.
Monsieur Kodi won at Thirsk on soft ground in June so underfoot conditions should be fine for the 4-year-old. He’s run well on both starts since his last win and given his consistency is likely to give his running once more.
Capote’s Dream didn’t win last season after a great 2021 when he won five times including the valuable Fitzdares Sprint Series Final Handicap at Windsor. That win two year’s ago remains his last success but he’s now 13lb lower and there were encouraging signs that he could be about to hit winning form after finishing a 2 ¾ length 3rd of 8 at Newmarket 14 days ago. Goes well with ease in the ground and provided he gets good pace to chase can go close.
Verdict: Hopefully they will go an even gallop and I’m going with the well-handicapped Capote’s Dream.
2:25 – Coral Summer Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6f
Sweet William looked well handicapped and duly proved it when winning a Newbury handicap (2m) two weeks ago. He’s up 7lb but had more in hand than the 3 length margin of victory suggests. His yet to run on ground worse than good but his dam won on soft and heavy so he should be fine on the ground and could improve for it. The lightly raced 4-year-old needs to win here to get into the Ebor Handicap and is the one to beat.
HMS President has been in great form since joining the Alan King yard earlier this year with form figures of 212. A winner over the distance at Newmarket (soft) in May. He improved again when a neck 2nd of 18 in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot last time. A 5lb rise makes life tougher but provided he gets a well-run race he should go close.
Torcello was a neck behind HMS President at Newmarket and gets a 7lb pull in the weights here. He was below par at Newmarket last month, but the ground would have been plenty quick enough for him that day. At his best on soft ground, he’s won around here in the past and seems likely to well positioned in what might not be a strongest run race.
Mr Curiosity came from behind to win a Ripon handicap (1m 4f) two weeks ago. He’s only been raised 3lb for that success and the return to 1m6f could elicit a bit more improvement from the 6-year-old.
Splendent has been steadily progressive this year and gained a second win of the year when beating six rivals at Newbury 39 days ago. He’s been raised 5lb for his latest win which might not been insurmountable. Ground versatile he steps up to 1m 6f for just the second time here and Ryan Moore 1-1 for the yard is an eyecatching jockey booking.
Euchen Glen isn’t the most consistent of horses these days but he’s a well handicapped horse when all the cards fall right. Its two years since the 10-year-old last won a race but he was unlucky in the run in last year’s race when a 1 ¼ length 3rd of 13 and is now 6lb lower. Has 9lb to find with Sweet William on their running at Newbury last time but is 10lb better off today. The pace of the race might not suit his hold up style but he’s too dangerous to discount.
Verdict: Sweet William is the most likely winnerand at 7/2 would be a value play. Recent Rion winner Mr Curiosity could have more to give returned to 1m 6f and will like the soft ground. Unlucky in the run 12 months ago Euchen Glen could easily go two places better, but he’ll be dropped in and will be a hostage to the pace of the race. Torcello shouldn’t have to class to win this but soft ground brings him into the mix and he’ll be ridden from the front.
3:00 – Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) – 1m 6f
Eight fillies and mares have been declared for the most valuable race of the day.
Free Wind looked set for a good season when winning the Group 2 Middleton Stakes (1m 2 ½ f) at York on her seasonal reappearance in May. However, she ran a lifeless race behind Pyledriver in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Has a question to answer after that run and although she’s the class horse of the field she’s plenty short enough in the betting and is worth taking on.
River Of Stars is next in the ante post betting. The 4-year-old looked much improved when winning a Group 3 at York over today’s distance on her seasonal reappearance in May and backed that effort in defeat when a ¾ length 2nd of 7 in a Group 2 at Longchamp 22 days ago.
Luisa Casati had race fitness on her side when beating Time Lock a lengthina Listed race (1m 4f) here in May. The form was reversed in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks last time when Time Lock finished a length and one place of her old rival. Both are capable of better for the step up to 1m 6f, in particular, Luisa Casati who goes really well on soft ground. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Time Lock yet but at their respective odds it’s Luisa Casati who I want to be with.
Verdict: If Free Wind isn’t at her best again then Luisa Casati looks like the one who can take advantage.
3:25 – Coral Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 6f
Orazio returned from 505 day layoff in great form, winning handicaps at Newmarket (good to soft) and Ascot (soft). Well fancied for the Wokingham Handicap (7/2) but only finished a 2 ½ length 6th of 27. If you think the quick ground was the reason for that effort, then you will fancy him to go close here given his previous progressive ways. I’m not sure how stall 6 will work out but if it’s not an inconvenience he will go very close.
Tanmawwy surprisingly for me anyway showed he was fine on testing ground when runner-up at Newbury (soft) on seasonal return. He ran poorly at Newmarket on his next start but bounced back to winning ways when carrying 10-2 to victory at Windsor last month. Has a 6lb penalty to carry for his lastest win but Conor Planas takes off 5lb which helps negates the rise.
Aleezdancer won on seasonal return at Doncaster and would have a decent chance if reproducing that performance here. He hasn’t been at that level of form on four subsequent starts but the return to soft ground could be key here as he’s 5-8, 6 placed when soft in the going description including a perfect 2-2 on soft. The first time cheekpieces replace the blinkers he wore last time, and he’s got a good chance on SOFT ground. Stall means he will need to hope they go far side rather than down the middle.
Albasheer a useful juvenile when with Owen Burrows. The 5-year-old missed the whole of last season, but he’s shaped well on his last two starts for Archie Watson in the Wokingham and Handicap and at the Curragh. He can win a nice sprint handicap pot off his present mark when all the cards fall right but I think he might want a sounder surface.
Badri has a great season winning four times including that valuable handicap at Epsom. He keeps improving even at the age of six and his length 2nd of 15 at Ascot (5f) last time was a career best on RPR’s. The return to 6f is a plus but he’s yet to race on ground worse than good to soft.
Apollo One looked as good as ever when a neck 2nd of 14 to Badri at Epsom two starts back and backed up that effort when a 1 length 2nd of 27 in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot. Nudged up 3lb but should get a good tow into the race on the stands side. Hasn’t tun on soft ground since winning at Salisbury as a juvenile. I’m not sure he wants it too testing but this track will suit and he will give his all.
Mr Wagyu won the Stewards Cup consolation race here in 2021. Well handicapped and wasn’t beaten far when 7th of 27 in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot and was a close-up third behind Badri in a valuable handicap at Epsom. Comes into the race after three low key runs but the yards had three winners her already and could easily bounce back.
Significantly took advantage of leniency from the handicapper when winning at Haydock (6f) two starts back and showed he remains in form when a 2 ½ length 2nd of 14 at Ascot (5f) last Saturday. Has just had three starts since joining Julie Camacho and I think he remains on a competitive mark. Has a good draw for a front runner in stall 28 down the stands rail.
Verdict: Orazio is the right favourite and will hopefully drift out a bit more. But who knows whether his low draw will be a positive or a negative. The same sentiment applies to another fancy of mine of Aleezdancer. I think a high draw will be a positive that brings both Significantly and Apollo One into the equation and can I leave out former C&D winner Mr Wagyu. Albasheer would be a bet on a sounder surface, but I will reluctantly leave him alone here. I could easily have gone for five here but I’m leaving out Orazio and Apollo One.
Newmarket
2:05 – British EBF Fillies’ Nursery Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Say Hello improved for the first time blinkers to win on nursery debut over C&D 8 days ago. A 13lb rise makes life tougher but she’s in great form and will be tough to beat.
Defying Orders came from the rear to win on nursery debut at Lingfield 24 days ago. It was very quick ground at Lingfield so if the rain arrives it asks another question of the filly. Up 6lb for her latest win but the first time cheekpieces are added and she’s open to further improvement.
Lady Wulfrun has improved with each of her three starts and qualified for mark after her 1 ½ length 3rd of 9 at Carlisle (good to osft) 38 days ago. Looks like she’s been campaigned with handicaps in mind and a mark of 71 looks workable. Bred to be better over 7f but the more of stamina test it becomes the better her chance.
Verdict: Say Hello has a favourite’s chance and looks sure to be popular with punters. I can see her winning. I’m not sure about easing ground for Defying Orders but she edged out to a backable price. Lady Wulfrun should be capable of winning a nursery off her present mark and an easier surface wouldn’t faze the HM The King’s horse.
Galway
2:30 – BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) – 2m 6 ½ f
Willie Mullins landed the valuable Galway Hurdle on Thursday with Zarak The Brave and he saddles 7 of the 20 declared runners. The three of his I like most are Maze Runner, Power Of Pause and Finest Evermore.
Maze Runner ran better than his 10th of 20 in the valuable amateur rider handicap on the flat here on Monday. Returns to hurdles here and the 8-year-old isn’t badly treated on the best of his form over timber. More than capable of going well if at his best.
Finest Evermore hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound and was returning from a 7 month absence, still going well when making a bad mistake three out in last year’s race and was quickly pulled up. Battled on well for a narrow success in a Killarney handicap three weeks later and although she returns from a 350 day layoff and is 5lb higher than when winning last time and not taken lightly.
Power Of Pause seemingly the pick of stable jockey Paul Townend. The 8-year-old returned from a 707 day absence in April and was back to something like his best when a 3 ¼ length 2nd of 16 at Ballinrobe 68 days ago.
Thecompanysergeant won a Navan novice hurdle on his second start over timber in March and then improved again when a 15 length 2nd of 11 in a Group 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in April. Handicap hurdle debut and looks on a very workable mark. He’s short at 8/1 but if he was trained by Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott the 6-year-old would be a 7/2-4/1 chance.
Hallowed Star won this corresponding race 12 months ago from 7lb lower. Got a good front running ride that day and benefitted from three well fancied rivals coming down three out. Fair effort on the flat 3 days ago and can’t be totally dismissed.
Verdict: It’s hard to oppose the Willie Mullins horses and Power Of Pause, Finest Evermore and Maze Runner look the best of his seven. At the prices I just prefer Maze Runner but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the other two one. The progressive Thecompanysergeant is open to further improvement and should be shorter odds than he is.
Betting Advice:
I’m going for broke today, and unlike yesterday when I left out Temporize I’m not holding back.
Goodwood
1:50 – Capote’s Dream – 1pt win – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2:25 – Torcello – 1pt win – 25/1 @ Coral and Mr Curiosity – 1pt win – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:00 – Luisa Casati – 1pt win – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:35 – Aleezdancer – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes, Significantly – 1pt win – 20/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Mr Wagyu – 1pt win – 20/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Galway
2:30 – Maze Runner – 1pt win – 14/1 @ William Hill and Thecompanysergeant – 1pt win – 7/1 @ William Hill
Glorious Goodwood may be over for another year but there’s still the final day of the Galway festival on Sunday to look forward to and there’s live action on ITV from Haydock where it’s another leg of the Sky Bet Sunday Series. Although Haydock will have to pass a Sunday morning inspection to see if they can race.
I will be doing a Sunday preview to cover the best of the action from Galway & Haydock. After that I intend to take most of next week off and will return next weekend. However, we go over the next couple of days it’s been fun but a break from betting is needed.
Cheers
John