The Glorious Goodwood festival, as it should always be known, comes to a close on Saturday with the Gordon Stakes and the Stewards’ Cup the main features. There is also some good flat action at Newmarket to keep us entertained, here are the ratings for the main races:
2.05 Newmarket – Chalice Stakes, 1m4f Listed Race
Singyoursong
Hasn’t raced since May but was an improving type up to that point. Tends to go well fresh and so can give another improved showing this time.
To Eternity
John Gosden has won many a fillies’ pattern race and will win many more with types like this one. The daughter of Galileo has been off the track for a year but was progressing into a very nice sort and can come out all guns blazing here.
Apphia
Highly tried but a little in-and-out in all honesty. She was carried to a fifth place in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot and that remains her standout piece of form.
Ebbesbourne
Sir Michael is in great form just now and he has another in with a shout here. Her breeding doesn’t exactly scream 1m4f though despite her staying-on second last time over 1m2f so I would urge caution.
Isabel De Urbina
Ran a cracker in the soft here last time but rather than being ground dependant, it seems she has reserved her best for HQ regardless of underfoot conditions. She may well take another step forward here.
Pleasant Surprise
Deserves a crack at Listed company having won a handicap at Doncaster last time but may just come up short.
108 To Eternity
105 Isabel De Urbina
103 Apphia
100 Singyoursong
95 Ebbesbourne
94 Pleasant Surprise
Summary
Despite her long period of absence, John Gosden’s filly TO ETERNITY looks the best of these already and is herself a potential improver. Isabel De Urbina may be best of the rest.
2.25 Goodwood – Summer Handicap, 1m6f
Getback In Paris
Two good runs upped to this distance recently and every chance of another solid showing.
Shraaoh
Constantly well touted and always favourite since a devastating win at Newcastle last May. He’s threatened to win a big one and now that the Stoute team is in top form he can show his best running with this trip looking ideal.
Jaameh
He’s been contesting some big races this term but looks to be back over his favourite trip here for crack Goodwood festival trainer Mark Johnston.
Sir Chauvelin
Very consistent over a range of trips and certainly battle hardened enough to go well, looks a little high in the weights though.
Mainstream
Put in easily his best performance for Sir Michael last time and as we’ve already pointed out in regards to Shraaoh, the yard is in great form.
Soldier In Action
A little in and out perhaps but generally at a decent level regardless, another Johnston contender who can go well.
95 Shraaoh
95 Mainstream
93 Jaameh
92 Getback In Paris
87 Sir Chauvelin
85 Soldier In Action
Summary
It’s a close call here, especially concerning the Sir Michael Stoute pair but the vote just goes to SHRAAOH who has been threatening to win one of these but as yet has not appeared when the yard has been in health this rude. Mainstream is next best with a good run expected from Jaameh.
2.40 Newmarket – 6f Fillies’ Nursery Handicap
Tig Tog
The Hannon’s won this race last year, in that there is no surprise, and this one may appreciate the drop to 6f on her handicap debut.
First Drive
Interesting pedigree, won at Nottingham last time and was arguably better on debut three runs ago on fast ground.
Paramount Love
Despite the strong run I’m willing to throw out last time at Carlisle as that track is rather specialist, but on her first two runs she looked to be progressing and could have a few pounds in hand.
Queen Penn
Like Paramount Love, comes from the Fahey stable and did well here back in May. If she can recapture that form she’d have a squeak for sure.
86 First Drive
85 Paramount Love
84 Queen Penn
82 Tig Tog
Summary
Not a particularly strong bunch for the strength of race, but FIRST DRIVE is probably a little better than her form thus far suggests and she can progress past a few of these. Paramount Love may provide some good each-way value.
3.00 Goodwood – Gordon Stakes, 1m4f 3yo Group 3
Crystal Ocean
Before his pair of thirds to Permian at York and Ascot there were floods of money for him for this year’s Derby and while he has thus far not proven to be quite of that quality, he is both a slow maturing type and from a yard that has only just hit top form. Best career run coming up.
Khalidi
Another who was fancied each-way for the Derby in June, he’s had rather more chances than Crystal Ocean and so while he finished ahead of that one last time may well be staring at his backend this.
Mount Moriah
Progressing OK but really should be outclassed here unless both principals are found wanting on the day.
118 Crystal Ocean
115 Khalidi
105 Mount Moriah
Summary
CRYSTAL OCEAN was just in behind Khalidi at Royal Ascot but there were excuses that day and he remains the one with the greater potential. He’s still in the St Leger and could effectively be running his trial here.
3.35 Goodwood – Stewards’ Cup, 6f Handicap
Danzeno
Out in the middle of the track but can get across to the pace and has the right man on board for a dogfight.
Growl
Almost right back to his best last time when 6th in a very strong Group One July Cup. Most of the pace is on the stands side but if the ground remains better on the far rail he’ll have a further advantage.
Donjuan Triumphant
Andrew Balding is a favourite with me and he is a real punter’s pal. If significant money comes for this one then take note and if this race has been the plan then he will be as fresh as a daisy and primed to go well.
Projection
Still lightly raced for a sprinter of this type and with plenty more to give. A cracking third in the Wokingham can be built upon here but he has run well without winning plenty of times.
Sir Dancealot
Peaked last time over 7f and can as yet do better. Perhaps needs this trip and is a very interesting contender.
118 Donjuan Trumphant
118 Sir Dancealot
114 Growl
114 Projection
106 Danzeno
Summary
Typically close on ratings and if Andrew Balding has got it right, he could look a genius here with Donjuan Triumphant. However, the safer play is the improving three-year-old SIR DANCEALOT and he is taken to land the spoils. Growl and Projection look good for place money.