Racing fans have enjoyed three days of fabulous action at one of the most anticipated flat meetings of the year and the good news is there are two more days to come.
Thursday’s card didn’t disappoint, with the feature race, the Nassau Stakes, providing a slice of history as Hollie Doyle became the first female jockey to win the Group One contest, continuing her partnership with the excellent Nashwa.
Another star on show was the imposing Dubawi colt New London, a strapping big horse that appears to have a touch of class about him.
Entered in the Derby earlier on in the season, connections decide to avoid Epsom following a poor run at at Chester.
He didn’t handle the nature of the undulating nature of the course at the Roodee, and perhaps wouldn’t have fared well in the Classic.
However, he did beat the Derby runner-up in this contest, and quickened effectively when asked to put the race to bed.
There is plenty more to come from the talented youngster, and he was swiftly cut into as short as 3/1 for September’s St Leger.
The handicaps were won by Warren Point, Praire Falcon and Get Ahead, respectively, with all winners putting in good performances to gain their victories.
Royal Scotsman was impressive in the Richmond Stakes, as Chateau failed to find a gap early enough in the race and could only manage third.
Sparkling Beauty made light work of the opposition in the Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, quickening to devastating effect in the closing stages.
Friday’s card provides a number handicaps tricky to predict, an open Group Two 5f sprint in the King George Stakes and two Group Three races, the Thoroughbred Stakes and the Glorious Stakes.
RACE PREVIEW
2:25 – Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)
Seven runners are set to go to post for this Group Three contest with Checkandchallenge the current market leader.
William Knight’s colt recorded back-to-back wins on the all-weather in his first two starts before disappointing in the 2000 Guineas.
He performed better when last seen in lesser company, finishing second in a handicap behind 108-rated Sinjaari, and was subsequently given a 1lbs rise in ratings.
Despite this, he still has 3lbs to find with Bayside Boy who brings Group Two winning form into the race, as does Berkshire Shadow for Andrew Balding.
The Roger Varian representative showed class to win on debut and then went on to win the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster ahead of decent opposition in dual Group Two winner Lusail as well as Group Three winners Reach For The Moon and Twilight Jet.
He placed in two Group One races towards the end of last season; the Dewhurst Stakes, won by Native Trail, as well as the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes in which Luxembourg galloped to victory.
The aforementioned Berkshire Shadow’s Group Two success came over 6f in the Coventry Stakes,but he is yet to show similar form over a mile.
However, he did finish third in a Listed race earlier this month, finishing behind the progressive Mighty Ulysses and Alfaila who has since won a Listed contest of his own.
His pedigree doesn’t suggest he will be guaranteed to be competitive over a mile at this level, but his last run was more promising and he is open to further improvement.
German-raider Rocchiagiani finished fifth in the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Ascot on his last appearance.
That run was over 7f and the son of Time Test stayed on well, suggesting a step back up to a mile would be better suited.
Prior to his Royal Ascot run he chased home Maljoom in the German 2000 Guineas, and on that form he could well be dangerous here.
Charlie Hills’ Sonny Liston won on debut but hasn’t shown enough ability since to suggest he’ll be competitive in this.
The yard is suffering a dry spell of late, failing to find a winner in recent weeks and will be hoping for a change in fortune.
The Wizard Of Eye is another who hasn’t quite hit the heights at this level, and appears quite exposed.
He finished fifth in the race at Cologne, and will need to find plenty to reverse form with Peter Schiergen’s runner.
Hotline Bling began his racing career at Richard Hannon’s before switching stables to Raphael E Freire in Norway.
He has enjoyed a number of wins there, including most recently in the Norwegian 2000 Guines, but his form on British soil isn’t as impressive, and it would be a big shock if he was able to be first past the post in this.
Best bet:
Bayside Boy 3/1 – Roger Varian, Ryan Moore
The colt is worth sticking with as he possessed plenty of ability as a two-year-old, and has yet to be given an opportunity to impress at three.
The French 2000 Guineas didn’t suit the son of New Bay, whilst the St James’s Palace Stakes was a high-quality race in which Bayside Boy held his own well enough.
Whilst this is still competitive, it appears a much easier task in which Varian’s runner could show his class.
OTHER SELECTIONS AT GOODWOOD:
1:50 – Class 2 Handicap
Solent Gateway 9/1 (EW – 5 places) – Hugo Palmer, Tom Marquand
The four-year-old gelding finished third in the Northumberland Plate last time out and could be one to watch, only 2lbs higher in ratings, at a mark of 92.
He has previously stayed well when winning at Chester last year in a staying race, but he did fail to feature in the Chester Cup, finishing down the field in his only attempt over further than 2m.
However, the way he finished off his race last time makes it worth another try at a marathon trip, and he may be one to watch.
3:00 – Class 2 Handicap
Shining Blue 9/1 (EW – 7 places) – Saaeed bin Suroor, Pat Cosgrave
Three wins from three runs, the four-year-old was breathtaking on debut at Leicester in May and has done nothing wrong in his racing career to date.
He is lightly raced, and runs in a big field for the first time, but if able to get luck in-running he should be good enough to make the frame.
The gelded son of Exceed And Excel could turn out to be a high-quality horse and is an exciting contender.
Blue For You (9/1) for David O’Meara, and Brian Meehan’s course and distance winner Lawful Command (12/1) are both worth mentioning, and both could also be decent selections each-way.
3:35 – King George Stakes (Group 2)
Acklam Express 6/1 (EW) – Nigel Tinkler, Rowan Scott
This race appears tough to predict, with not much to split the top two in the market, Raasel and Mitbaahy.
Acklam Express, however, showed enough at Royal Ascot to put him in with a chance, and is also a course and distance winner.
The yard hasn’t been in the best of form in recent weeks and in such a tricky sprint an each-way bet is advised.
With such an open field heading to post, the highest-rated horse in the race could be the one to claim the prize.
4:10 – Glorious Stakes (Group 3)
Rebel’s Romance 5/4 (win) – Charlie Appleby, William Buick
John Leeper 12/1 (EW) – Ed Dunlop, Tom Marquand
The well supported Rebel’s Romance is strong in the market and looks set to record back-to-back wins.
He is the highest-rated in the field and will be extremely tough to beat.
However, John Leeper may represent some value in the market as the favourite continues to shorten in price.
The Ed Dunlop trained colt has been performing well in the latter stages of races this season, staying on gamely but often too late.
He is entered in the Ebor next month and may well have a big race in him to come.
This could be a useful preparation and he could be staying on towards the line once again and able to run into a place.
By Katie Midwinter (28/07/22)
THE CONDITIONAL 