Glorious Goodwood Day 4
The Group 2 King George Stakes is the big race today, where the sprinters take centre stage. This is a much better looking card with a cracking Betfred Mile Handicap to get stuck into as well.
2.00: Betfred Glorious Stakes- Group 3
With the progressive Scottish now a non runner, there’s just 7 left in for this mile and a half Group 3. Kings Fete is favourite and looks short to me as he’s being running in lower grades and, whilst unlucky last time, that was still only a Class 2 handicap. He has potential but has something to prove at the same time. Mount Logan is pushing for favouritism too and has more solid claims and, of note, is his record of 3 from 3 at this track. That said, this race is tougher. The likely best alternative is the 9/1 shot Loving Things. She’s a lightly raced 4 year old who won a Listed heat at Pontefract 2 starts ago before finishing a close up 3rd in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks. That is as good form as anything on offer here so she’d be my tentative selection if I was to have a bet.
2.35: Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes – Group 3
A mile is the trip for this Group 3 confined to 3 year olds. This is a pretty easy decision in terms of deciding not to get involved. Ignore the 5 outsiders who have limited chance on form, and it’s hard to separate the front 6 in the market who are either owned by Godolphin (4 runners) or trained by Sir Michael Stoute (2 runners). When big names are throwing so many darts at a race, it puts doubt in the mind. Keep your powder dry for the rest of the day.
3.10: Betfred Mile (Heritage Handicap) – Class 2 Handicap
20 runners over a mile and I’m sure there’ll be some hard luck stories. Many of the fancied runners are drawn wide and that will make it tough especially as hot favourite and front runner, Franklin D, is drawn right on the inside in stall 1. The favourite has Ryan Moore on board and looks to be well ahead of the handicapper judged on his last time out win at Newmarket. This is a completely different proposition, especially on this track, and prices of 5/2 are much too short. The 2 that I think will give him most to do, and they represent my bets in this race, are Belgian Bill and One Word More.
Belgian Bill won this race last year, and has run in it twice more, performing creditably on each occasion. He likes the course and, after a difficult last 12 months, finally has his conditions with fast ground, a mile and the track all in his favour. Coupled with a decent draw, he must go close especially as connections have again reached for headgear which has served him well in the past. He races off last year’s winning mark too.
One Word More is a northern raider who has been running very well in top handicaps. He’s raced 3 times this year, all in and around this mark and has done enough in all 3 starts to suggest his turn is not far away. In his last 2 starts at York, he finished 3rd finishing well both times. The first run, he was behind 2 horses who have gone on to Group races and who are now rated 110+. Last time out, he was 3rd but the rider dropped her whip and that probably put paid to his chances. Compensation awaits here.
PLACED – Back Belgian Bill (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 Bet365 (¼ odds 1-5 BOG)
Back One Word More (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 Bet365 (¼ odds 1-5 BOG)
3.45: Qatar King George Stakes – Group 2
A very competitive sprint and not easy to sort out. I like Cotai Glory who acts on the track and gets on well with George Baker but this might be too hot a race, whilst Goldream is a top class horse but has been off for over 4 months. Muthmir continues to flatter to deceive so it’s probably best to stick to the 2 fast improving 3 year olds that battled out the finish in a listed race at York. Marsha got the better of Easton Angel that day and I wouldn’t want to separate them here.
4.20: Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Nursery- Class 2 Handicap
This one looks a straight fight between top owners, Godolphin and Hamdan Al Maktoum. Rusumaat would be my selection of the 4 but it’s a tricky race to try and solve.
4.55: L’Ormarins Queens Plate Stakes – Group 3
7 furlongs for this Group 3 for the girls and Always Smile, a highly progressive type, is a warm order. She should be hard to beat but trip and the reaching for headgear concerns me. I’m happy to oppose her at 6/4 and look for some each way value. Besharah is a strange horse, generally running well but I’m still unsure of her best trip whilst Mise En Rose and Namhroodah have something to prove in this grade.
Instead, I’m having a bit on Queen Catrine. Yes, she has a 3lb penalty but she’s coming over from Ireland and is her trainer’s only runner this week. Trainer has been going well and she did win last time out in this grade. She loves ground on the fast side of good but I think the key to her is going from the front. She employed those tactics last time and responded well when others came to challenge. I genuinely cannot believe the 20/1 on offer on the basis she’s unlikely to face competition for the lead and I think her each way chances are solid.
Back Queen Catrine (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 Coral (¼ odds 1-3 BOG)
5.30: Betfred Mobile Stakes – Class 3 Handicap
A 3 year old handicap full of unexposed types. Sabre Squadron would be a very tentative choice in an incredibly tricky race.
