August is approaching which means that the eyes of the racing world descends on Sussex for the start of the Glorious Goodwood meeting on Tuesday, five days of wonderful racing at a venue conducive for the stars of the sport.
The Goodwood Cup is the feature race on the opening day of the meeting but as is often the case in these big festivals, a couple of the handicap races either side of the big one is what grabs out betting attention for the day.
1.20 Goodwood
A superb way to kick off the week with a full field of 18 expected to line up for this mile & a quarter handicap. It’s likely that one of the unexposed 4 year olds take this, with that age group accounting for the first 5 in the market but Goodwood is not the easiest track to negotiate so I’m siding with one with a ‘been there, done that’ type of profile in the shape of Tony Montana. A winner of 3 of his 16 races, he’s been to Goodwood 3 times finishing 4th, 3rd (in this race last year) & 2nd so I’m hoping he continues that trend of race on race improvement to come home in front today. The key to him seems to be distance. Back at a mile at Royal Ascot, he ran no better than ok where first time cheekpieces (discarded today) did him no favours. Handicap form over this trip reads 7-3-1-1-3-3-5-2-2 versus form of 4-0-0-0 at other distances. Admittedly, he’s never won off a mark this high but a head 2nd, losing out on the nod, off 2lbs higher suggests this mark is still within range & with his prominent racing style suiting from a nice draw, he has a big chance & should be in the shake up.
Tips
Back Tony Montana (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-5)
Special Offer
Open up a Boylesports account during the Flat Season and bet £10 on any race to get £20 in bonuses! Click the image below to take advantage of this fantastic offer! 18+ T&Cs apply Gamble Aware.
3.45 Goodwood
22 runners, 5 furlongs – it’s a confirmed minefield with any number of these in with a shout. Jakajaro has been well touted after finishing 6th at Royal Ascot when not getting a clear run under Spencer. Same combo today, a big field, the usual hold up tactics & a tighter track suggests a similar story so he’s not a viable option for me. Instead, I’ll go with rapid improver & Northern raider, Canons House. He won 3 on the spin this year, rising markedly in both grade & mark, until coming unstuck in the Scurry at the Curragh last time out. He helped force a good pace & was a little keen early doors before fading late on. There are suggestions the handicapper might now be in charge but I can find 2 or 3 reasons to forgive that run as most of the leaders faded & his track position wasn’t ideal either. The drop back to 5 furlongs should suit him & I can’t get away from the most eyecatching jockey booking of the day with Soumillion riding for the Easterby’s. With the likely pacesetters drawn high, his draw in 15 looks good to me. There’s been plenty of money for him but still available at a backable price, he’s the one for me.
Tips
Back Canons House (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Paddy Power (⅕ odds 1-6)
