Katie Midwinter (29/07/24)
1:50pm – Chesterfield Cup Handicap (Class 2)
The progressive Enfjaar holds leading claims for Roger Varian in the opening race of this year’s Goodwood Festival, and it would be no surprise to see Jim Crowley guide the Lope De Vega gelding to a third successive victory at the West Sussex track. However, in such a competitive handicap that has attracted a maximum field of twenty, there are plenty of lively contenders at bigger odds that are worth noting
Likable veteran Sir Busker has hefty weight to shoulder if he is to record a first win in over two years, but he does have capable 5lb claimer Brandon Wilkie aboard, easing his burden. The Group Two winner may be past his peak now as an eight-year-old, but he has proven he still possesses plenty of ability, and he has been competitive on a similar mark in handicaps on the all-weather in recent months. Unlucky when last seen at Newcastle, he comes into this race fresh and will be suited by the quicker conditions as well as the trip. At odds of 22/1, he represents great each-way value, and there could be a big race left in the experienced gelding who makes his 50th career start.
Another to consider at a big price is Loyal Touch. The Charlie Johnston-trained gelding drops back in trip on a workable mark of 90, and could outrun his odds for a yard who often enjoys success at this meeting. Only 2lbs higher than when winning at Chester in June, Loyal Touch will need to bounce back to form following a couple of disappointing efforts, but makes appeal at the prices and is capable of sneaking into the places.
Selection: Sir Busker 22/1 (each-way)
Alternative: Loyal Touch 25/1 (each-way)
2:25pm – Vintage Stakes (Group 2)
A field of eight juveniles are set to compete in the first Group race of the meeting. Aidan O’Brien-trained The Parthenon heads the market, seeking a second successive win following a maiden victory at Gowran Park. The Kingman colt will need to improve for his debut effort in Group Three company at the Curragh, but the extra furlong appeared to suit when last seen, and he was entitled to take a step forward from his debut effort.
Any Ballydoyle representative demands respect in these contests, but there appears to be plenty of value elsewhere and it may be worth siding with a potential improver at a bigger price.
Clive Cox is recording a 20 percent strike-rate with his juveniles this term, and he saddles son of Saxon Warrior, Arabian Sun, who looks great value at a double-figure price. The unexposed colt should be perfectly suited by the step up in trip, and has previous course experience. He has been progressing nicely in two starts to date and should be able to improve further on only his third career start.
When last seen at Salisbury, he was slightly outpaced as the race developed, but he found another gear and finished strongly to prevail over the favourite, Stratusnine, who appeared to have the race in his hands. Stratusnine has won since, beating Intrusively who finished second to Aomori City on debut. He had also finished ahead of recent Group Three winner Simmering on his debut at York, and the form looks strong.
Although this is a big step up in class, Arabian Sun is making only his third career start, and has the scope to improve plenty with the benefit of valuable experience. With the extra distance in his favour, this unexposed colt could spring a surprise in this Group Two contest.
Another trainer to note when represented in juvenile contests is Richard Hannon, and his sole runner in this race, An Outlaw’s Grace, is certainly one for the shortlist. The Dandy Man colt was deemed good enough to feature in a Chantilly Group Two, which followed a debut victory at Salisbury, when justifying strong market support, and he can take another step forward for his recent fourth on a sounder surface here. His stablemate, Haatem, won the race last year, and An Outlaw’s Grace could retain the prize for the Hannon yard, in the hands of Sean Levey.
Selection: Arabian Sun 14/1 (each-way)
Alternative: An Outlaw’s Grace 11/2
3:00pm – Lennox Stakes (Group 2)
Kinross and Noble Dynasty are hard to split on ratings, but the latter is in better form, although he has been competing at a lower level, whilst the former hasn’t yet returned to his usual level this season, and will need to improve on his eighth in the July Cup. Hat-trick seeking English Oak is unexposed at this level but looked a Group horse in a handicap when a convincing winner of the Buckingham Palace Stakes, and looks ready for a test of this nature.
Tiber Flow makes plenty of appeal for William Haggas, given his record over the trip and his impressive victory in the Group Three John Of Gaunt Stakes when last seen. He returned from a fall on his previous start to win at Haydock, and can take another step forward now upped in Grade. It’s a competitive race in which a case can be made for a number of horses, but this five-year-old holds leading claims for an in-form yard, and gets the nod.
Selection: Tiber Flow 13/2
3:35pm – Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1)
Former champion Kyprios returns for Aidan O’Brien, fresh from a second Ascot Gold Cup victory in the hands of Ryan Moore. He’s the one to beat on form and ratings, and if he is able to get the run of the race once again, he should record a fourth successive victory. There are plenty of returning opponents that will attempt to take the crown, and the shorter trip of two miles is likely to suit some of them. Kyprios is a versatile type though, and is hard to oppose given the standard he has shown in his career so far.
Sweet William put in a gallant effort in defeat to finish third at Ascot, staying on in the closing stages, and should go well again over this trip, whilst Coltrane, slightly disappointing when last seen, will be suited by the drop in distance and should fare better. The latter, trained by Andrew Balding, is equipped with cheekpieces once again, and makes the most appeal at the prices.
Selection: Coltrane 10/1 (each-way)
Alternative: Sweet William 8/1 (each-way)
4:10pm – Class 2 Handicap
Four-year-old gelding Jm Jungle looks well treated on a mark of 89 and could go close in this competitive sprint. Trained by the training partnership of John and Sean Quinn, the son of Bungle Inthejungle finished fourth in a tricky Curragh handicap when last seen, beating subsequent winner Big Gossey. If he is able to replicate that level of performance he should be in contention in this field, and he represents value at a price at 10/1, with previous course form in his favour.
Selection: Jm Jungle 10/1 (each-way)
* All prices correct at the time of publication.
Photo by Mike Kotsch on Unsplash
THE CONDITIONAL 