The first day of the Goodwood Festival provided plenty of drama.
The opening two races were both won by 14/1 shots, followed by a 12/1 winner in the third.
Forest Falcon, Marbaan and Sandrine all ran excellently to win their respective races, in ground that raised a few question marks.
It was initially described as Good (Good To Firm in places), but looked to be cutting up by the third race as Trueshan was declared a runner in the Goodwood Cup.
Stradivarius, Kyprios and Trueshan were all set to meet for the first time in what was expected to be a battle for the ages.
It certainly did not disappoint and to witness all three of the star stayers in full cry was a sight to savour.
The fairytale didn’t happen for the legend that is Strad, as ‘new kid on the block’ Kyprios took the plaudits to win by a neck.
However, once again John & Thady Gosden’s eight-year-old was met with trouble in running as Hollie Doyle moved Trueshan past Stradivarius to pen him in before the rail cut off.
This gave Andrea Atzeni a headache on his mount as he was unable to take the route that would have given Stradivarius an ideal passage into the final stages.
He had to once again take the short route on the inside, running into the back of Thunderous as he dropped out of contention.
When Stradivarius eventually found his gap, Kyprios and Trueshan had already committed, and the four-time Goodwood Cup-winner had a few lengths to find.
He gave it his all and eventually came up short in what was a gallant effort by the brave son of the Sea The Stars.
Once again there is plenty to discuss following the race, and although Kyprios also showed great heart to reign supreme, he did benefit from Trueshan pushing him all the way to the line as Stradivarius raced alone towards the rail.
Whether or not Kyprios could have found more if side-by-side with Stradivarius is a question that will be left unanswered for now.
The young Galileo colt certainly has similarities with the senior champion, in both looks and style.
The chestnuts both sport a white stripe, and they both only do enough to win so it appears.
The door remains open for a rematch as connections of Stradivarius haven’t yet announced that retirement is imminent.
Perhaps they’ll meet again at York next month in what would be another mouth-watering clash.
It was truly fantastic to see all three take their chance, and credit must be given to all.
Trueshan, in attempting to defend his crown on ground far from ideal.
Kyprios, in backing up his Gold Cup win with another tremendous victory.
And of course, the much loved Stradivarius, who was given a special reception at a track where he has enjoyed so much of his success.
He gave his all and showed so much class at the grand age of eight.
Tomorrow promises to be another exciting day, with the Sussex Stakes as the feature race on the card.
Baaeed attempts to extend his unbeaten run, and will be expected to do so.
There are a number of interesting handicaps also on the card, and plenty to look forward to at Galway.
GOODWOOD
1:50 – Class 2 Handicap
Secret State 5/2 – Charlie Appleby, William Buick
It’s difficult to look past the favourite in this contest as Secret State brings impressive Royal Ascot form into the race, having beaten eighteen rivals to win the King George V Stakes last month.
He narrowly finished ahead of Deauville Legend who has since gone on to win a Group Three ahead of Queen’s Vase runner-up Zechariah and Derby fourth Masekela.
This represents a good formline and the colt will be bidding for a four-timer whilst carrying top weight.
On debut he finished second to the promising Francesco Clemente and has been unbeaten since.
He should be the one to beat but has been given a 7lb rise by the handicapper, and will have to give away plenty of weight to plenty of improving horses.
Zain Nights could be slightly overpriced off a mark of 89, and may be the one to chase home the favourite.
Harry & Roger Charlton are enjoying a rich vein of form with a 30% strike rate in the past fortnight, which indicates their horses are running well and Zain Nights could show improvement.
2:25 – Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3)
Benefit 12/1 – Clive Cox, Ryan Moore
The three-year-old filly ran on well at Haydock behind Sense Of Duty and Flotus over 6f earlier in the season, and although she was no match to the first two, they both look as though they could be quite special and it was no disgrace to finish a couple of lengths behind them.
She made up plenty of ground from the rear of the field, and could well have benefited from an extra furlong as she steps back up to 7f here.
On her seasonal reappearance in April she did disappoint over this trip, but she was quite keen on that occasion and wasn’t pushed too much in the closing stages.
At York last time out she raced wide but still ran on well enough and would probably have been closer if coming from the pack.
It’s worth taking another chance over 7f with the Acclamation filly, and she does represent value in the market.
Improvised is overpriced on 7f form, given she has finished in the first three in each of her four attempts at the trip.
Last time out she finished behind Soft Whisper and Bounce The Blues in a Listed contest on the all-weather, and will certainly need to show plenty more to reverse form, but she is consistent and a placed finish isn’t out of the question.
(IMPROVISED HAS NOW BEEN DECLARED A NON-RUNNER)
3:00 – Molecomb Stakes (Group 3)
Rocket Rodney 10/11 – George Scott, Daniel Muscutt
The two-year-old gelding has shortened quite significantly in the market and is a more than worthy favourite in this contest.
A course and distance winner, his form has worked out well as he finished second in the Windsor Castle Stakes when just held by Little Big Bear who has since won a Group 3 over in Ireland.
Rocket Rodney beat Eddie’s Boy well enough there and at Sandown, which makes it difficult to see the form being reversed between the two.
The fourth at Royal Ascot, Chateau has since won a Listed race.
Walbank also lines up and is thought of as an unlucky loser in the Norfolk at the Royal Meeting.
But, there were couple behind that may have finished ahead of him if they hadn’t been hampered.
There are a few who are quite unexposed and could improve such as Studio City, but on form Rocket Rodney has to be the one to beat and it’s difficult to go against him.
3:35 – Sussex Stakes (Group 1)
The unbeaten Baaeed is a strong odds-on favourite for a renewal missing the inclusion of 2000 Guineas winner, Coroebus, who was found to be lame prior to declarations and has an abscess in his left hind pastern.
The absence of the Classic-winner does make the contest slightly poorer, but it’s still one of the most anticipated races of the week.
No horse has been able to get anywhere near the son of Sea The Stars, Baaeed, in his eight races to date, and he has faced many of these rivals before.
He should be able to win with some ease once again, so from a betting perspective the interesting angle is the race for second place.
Alcohol Free is a course and distance winner and was extremely impressive last time out as she gained success in the July Cup Stakes at Newmarket.
She beat a number of top-class sprinters over 6f, but this is a much tougher task stepping back up to a mile.
On two occasions she has been victorious over this trip, including at the course, as mentioned, when she won last year’s renewal on heavy ground.
However, of late she has been impressing as a sprinter and it’s not overly convincing that a step back up in trip is needed.
Perhaps she will be slightly vulnerable against some pure milers, and the biggest threat could come in the form of Ballydoyle representative Order Of Australia.
He has enjoyed a number of successes in his career to date, including a surprising win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2020.
When reappearing this season he faced Baaeed in the Queen Anne Stakes, finishing third, but may have needed the run and did come on for it to win the Group Two Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh earlier this month.
Modern Games is a Classic-winner that does line-up for Godolphin.
The French 2000 Guineas victor returns to a trip over which he is unbeaten, and may be able to put in another good performance.
Chindit has a 7lbs to find with Order Of Australia, but is only rated 1lbs lower than the progressive Modern Games.
He was last seen battling strongly against Mutasaabeq to win the Group Two Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot, in what was a brave performance by the son of Wootton Bassett.
Angel Bleu is a big price, despite being a winner of the Vintage Stakes at last year’s meeting.
If the ground does become softer, Ralph Beckett’s colt could be significantly overpriced in the each-way or without the favourite markets.
Bathrat Leon, the Japanese-raider, has snippets of good form over a mile and was last seen winning a Group Two at Meydan.
He is one that would possibly prefer a sounder surface, but is another big priced outsider.
Order Of Australia 16/1 (EW – 2 places – 3/1 without Baaeed) – A P O’Brien, Ryan Moore
He finished third behind Baaeed at Royal Ascot, with Real World in second.
Real World doesn’t line up here, and Order Of Australia should be fitter ahead of this contest.
The race behind the favourite is relatively open, and there are plenty to make cases for to finish as runner-up.
However, Order Of Australia is a classy horse and is a specialist over a mile, which should ensure he’s competitive in chasing the favourite home.
GALWAY
6:40 – Galway Plate (Grade A – Handicap Chase)
The favourite, El Barra, was the selection at the Punchestown Festival when winning at odds of 8/1.
He is the choice of Paul Towend but he does have a 10lbs rise in the weights to deal with here.
Another quite prominent in the market is The Shunter, who finished fourth in this contest last year.
He runs off the same mark and could be quite competitive again on ground that is currently described as good.
The trainer is two from five with runners in the past two weeks, giving him a current strike rate of 40%.
Hewick was excellent when winning the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April, and has subsequently gone up 6lbs in ratings.
This is a much shorter trip, but he has won over shorter in the past and may be able to mount a challenge.
Easy Game has 3lb claimer Jack Foley onboard and recently completed a four-timer by winning over a similar trip at Tramore.
He finished second in last year’s renewal and will be attempting to go one better.
Fire Attack could be fairly well handicapped off a mark of 144, with Shane Fitzgerald claiming 3lbs.
This is a tough assignment but he prepared for it well with a win at Punchestown in May, and has shown good ability over the larger obstacles since going chasing.
Cape Gentleman makes his first appearance since November, but has gone well fresh in the past and regularly puts in a good performance.
Gabynako is a dangerous contender, but the yard has been short of winners of late and could do with an improvement in form.
Ash Tree Meadow is bidding for a four-timer, and recently won a Novice Chase carrying top-weight at Killarney.
The Jam Man is a popular horse, but will need to rediscover his form of old.
When last seen over fences he beat twenty-one rivals to victory in a Grade B handicap at Navan.
If able to show more ability back over fences he could be a player, but plenty will have to go his way.
Annamix has done well to place in big fields at big prices in the past, and shouldn’t be ruled out over this trip.
Exelerator Express makes a bold bid as an English-raider in this field.
It will be a tough task for the Neil Mulholland trainer gelding and cheekpieces are added.
Hurricane Georgie 16/1 (EW – 6 places) – Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy
The five-year-old mare has been progressive in recent months and has been performing well enough to be given a 11lbs rise in ratings.
This makes it tough, but she recently won a chase by thirteen-lengths, and is certainly capable enough in this field.
She will be bidding for a four-timer in the hands of Jack Kennedy, and she could be open to further improvement which makes her an exciting contender.
By Katie Midwinter (26/07/22)
THE CONDITIONAL 