Glorious Goodwood Service – Day 2

Tue, Jul 27, 2010

by Neil Hubbard

2.10 Goodwood
A minefield this one but the obvious one could be Royal Ascot winner JUNIOR. The handicapper has raised him 8lb for winning the Ascot Stakes but with so few races run over such marathon rips as this (2m 5f) it’s difficult to know if that will stop him following up. It may be unwise to think he’ll be given such a soft lead once again but Seb Sanders is the right man to have on your side in these staying handicaps and he’ll be more than happy being ridden prominent. Ghimaar was sent off favourite when 4th behind Junior at the Royal meeting and ran perfectly respectably. There’s no reason to think he won’t go well once again although Kieren Fallon has jumped shipped and instead gets the leg up on Irish raider DREAM CHAMPION. Tony Martin’s runner hasn’t run on the flat since back in 2006 and has been in action most recently over fences. However, it goes without saying that one from this yard must be respected and with a top jockey in the saddle it will be interesting to see how he fares. Hearthstead Dream is another Irish jumper worthy of respect while Mark Johnston saddles the wonderfully progressive Lady Eclair who runs off 93 having shed her maiden tag in April and started life in handicaps off just 68. Ryan Moore gets the leg up on Gee Dee Nen and as a 3m hurdle winner should relish this test.

2.45 Goodwood
An intriguing Vintage Stakes. King Torus won well at Newmarket in the Superlative Stakes but as a result he must carry a 3lb penalty as a result and that may just be enough to weigh him down. Richard Hannon’s other runner, Major Art, comes here after easily winning his maiden at Lingfield last time. It’s hard to get an angle on that form though and he is definitely one that falls into the ‘could be anything category’. CROWN PROSECUTOR has impressed in winning both his two starts to date but this is the acid test for him. Connections bypassed Ascot with him and that softly-softly approach could pay dividends for a stable that are enjoying a good time of things at present. Waltzing Dance has a similar profile to the selection and he looks sure to build on his two wins on this step up to 7f. Mark Johnston’s Stentorian has had the form of his Listed race defeat franked by the winner, Zoffany, going on to land a Group 3 next time. That looked a weakfish race though and so although Stentorian must be respected the Meehan colt may just get the better of him.

3.25 Goodwood – Sussex Stakes

• Three-year-olds have won 24 of the last 35 renewals

• Aidan O’Brien has won the Sussex stakes four times in the last ten years

• Nine of the last ten winners were officially rated 115 or higher

• Eight of the last ten winners achieved a top two finish at Royal Ascot

• All of the last ten winners achieved a top two finish on their latest start

Eight runners but according to the trends a two horse race between Rip Van Winkle and CANFORD CLIFFS. The Richard Hannon trained runner shades it on account of being a three-year-old and the fact he posted a top two finish at Royal Ascot. He’s officially rated 7lbs worse than RVW but gets 8lb from Aidan O’Brien’s runner to pretty much negate that difference. The betting is also of the opinion that the race revolves around this pair. The remainder? Well Beethoven caused a shock when winning the Dewhurst last year and I think we can safely ignore his last run at ascot when he chased / forced a very strong pace. It remains to be seen if a tough juvenile campaign has taken its toll but he could be the each-way horse. Premio Loco has deservedly earned this crack at the top table after winning at both Group 3 and then Group 2 levels this summer. In theory a victory is beyond him but this likeable sort won’t be disgraced.

4.00 Goodwood
You could probably safely fancy about 5 or 6 of these and so whittling them down isn’t easy.
I’m actually prepared to forgive Berling his defeat up at Haydock last time went sent off at 2/5 on account of the fact the small field wouldn’t have brought out the best in John Dunlop’s runner. This big field should see him in a better light and I fancy him to return to form. Sea Of Heartbreak has won her last four starts and so ruling her out isn’t easy, a comment that also applies to the hat-trick seeking Mount Athos. Other inform contenders worthy of a mention are Verdant and Bowdler’s Magic who weregood winners last time as well so you can see how competitive this race is! Sour Mash has the profile, and look, of a typical Luca Cumani handicap runner and this lightly raced sort really catches the eye. However, if I am to nail my colours to the mast I will elect for two, namely EMIRATES DREAM and JUTLAND. The former, a US bred, $850,000 purchase encounters good to firm ground for the first time here and having twice contested Group races a juvenile must be of interest for his handicap debut despite conceding weight all round. The other, a Mark Johnston runner, comes here after winning both his previous starts, the second of which has been nicely franked by the runner-up going on to score off a 4lb higher mark.

4.35 Goodwood
On jockey bookings you have to say that YASHILA looks the best option of the two Richard Hannon trained runners and with the stable’s juveniles still performing well its hard not to be taken by her. Royalorien looks the best of the three horses that have seen a race track and she looks sure to build on quite a pleasing performance on debut at Nottingham. That experience should count for plenty. Brian Meehan has an 18% strike race with his two-year-olds at Goodwood over the last five years and with the stable firing in a few winners Brevity could be worth a look in the market speaks favourably. She looks the better of his two runners (Mortitia is his other representative). Ed Dunlop gives a debut to Sharnberry who is related to plenty of useful juvenile winners which should help her cause.

5.10 Goodwood
Jim Crowley has been mentioned as a possible each-way option for the top jockey at Goodwood this week and he looks to be on a good thing here in the shape of AGONY AND ECSTASY. A winner of three of her last five starts she was a comfortable winner of a Chepstow handicap last time and given her progressive profile a 7lb higher mark shouldn’t be beyond her, although this is her first try over 9f. Seasonal Cross is a filly who looks at the top of her game right now, as four wins in her last five starts show. There is every reason to expect her to go well. Dance East ran with credit at Newmarket when finishing 3rd on her last start while both Seradim and She’s In The Money add a further competitive streak.

5.45 Goodwood
This step back up to 7f should suit THEBES who has produced the best efforts of his season over this trip. He last seen being beaten over 6f on softish ground at Hamilton but this will represent a completely different test and one that should be right up his street. LAYLINE had a tough introduction to 2010 – pitched in at the Britannia at Royal Ascot. However he improved on his effort that day when finishing 2nd in a conditions race at Lingfield and that should have further aided his development. He could go well. Three-year-olds have won six of the last ten renewals and this is another feather in his cap, along with Paul Cole’s Mystic Magic.