Onto Day 3 of the 5 day Goodwood meeting and this is probably the lowest quality fare so far. Yesterday was frustrating as we picked out 3 winners at tasty prices but managed to back none of them. At least it proves our analysis is spot on, even if the final selection part needs a bit of fine tuning.
2.00: Class 2 Handicap
A competitive 3 year old handicap to kick us off and the early favourite is the Ryan Moore ridden Stargazer for Sir Michael Stoute. He’s improved on each of his 4 runs to date but will need to improve again off a stiff looking mark and with a wider than ideal draw. Mark Johnston has won this race 4 times in the last 10 years and the one I think will go closest is bottom weight Abareeq who might just like the step up in trip and is mount of Joe Fanning.
Another Johnston horse, Ode To Evening, has top weight and it’s from the race that he won 3 weeks ago that our bet comes. Back in 3rd that day was Dwight D but the one I like is 5th placed Banksea who disappointed as favourite that day. He took a very keen hold that day so the fact he still ran a decent race is promising. He races off the same mark and with a number of front runners in the field, he should be able to settle better and return to th form he showed previously. This horse is Luca Cumani’s only runner on the day and I think it might just be the only one he needs.
Back Banksea (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 with Coral (1/4 odds 1-4 BOG)
Back it here:
2.35: Group 2 Richmond Stakes
5 runners for this Group 2 contest and only 3 really hold solid claims. Amongst them is an odds on shot in Blue Point who looks solid enough. A no bet race.
3.10: Group 2 Goodwood Cup
A 2 mile Group race that sees Big Orange as a warm order and justifiably so after winning this last year and then coming into form last time out when winning a similar Group 2 contest. That said, there are some serious players in opposition with Curbyourenthusiasm, Pallasator and Sword Fighter all in with good chances. Pallasator is no more than a tentative choice.
3.45: Group 3 Lillie Langtry Stakes
Only 7 runners but 5 of them are relatively close in the market. A competitive event with no realistic each way betting options means that it’s a race not to get involved in.
4.20: 2 Year Old Maiden
As you’ve already seen, I don’t really fancy playing in 2 year old maidens so am again sitting this one out. Amabilis and Rhododendron are vying for favouritism and I favour the former of the 2. However, at a bigger price, don’t dismiss the each way chances of The Stalking Moon from the northern stable of John Quinn who ran well on her debut at Catterick just over a week ago.
4.55: Class 2 Nursery Handicap
17 runners for a 2 year old handicap. I like to tread carefully with nurseries so I have to admit it’s not really a race I’ve looked at in any great detail.
5.30: Class 3 Handicap
This may be a 5 furlong charge with a big field of 19 but I cannot resist having a bet. There’s sure to be a good pace on here and Laughton, from the Kevin Ryan yard, has solid claims. He’s been in good recent form and is still handicapped to go close.
However, the one I want to be on the side of is Lathom. He is the only runner of David O’Meara, and stable jockey Danny Tudhope takes the ride. He won the Super Sprint last term and that saw him start off his 3 year old handicap campaign off a stiff mark of 98. He ran a cracker in finishing 8th in the Dash at Epsom, a track similar to this before running adequately 3 times since. His mark is now down to 92 and he returns to a downhill track which clearly suits, based on that Epsom run and a 5th in the Molecomb here last year where he recorded a career best RPR of 101. Given a clear run, I think he’ll go very close.
Back Lathom (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 with William Hill (1/4 odds 1-4 BOG)
Back it here:
