Glorious Goodwood has hopefully saved the best until last with two fabulous days of racing still to come. The detractors will point out that too many races on this undulating, turning track have hard-luck stories and the draw is often all-important as well. However, when the sun shines, this meeting is hard to beat in terms of highlighting flat racing at its best.
I am already heavily invested in the Coral Golden Mile (today 3 p.m.) in which it’s a huge advantage to be drawn in single figures. Johan bucked the trend on soft ground last year when he won from stall 18 but the previous seven winners were from berths 1, 3, 3, 3, 2, 5 and 2. Those who love statistics will be in no rush to back a horse with a double-figure draw.
My strong fancy from two weeks ago was Blue For You each way at 16-1 and, after drawing box 5, he is now at the head of the market at no bigger than 6-1. However, I am going to go into this race double-handed with another David O’Meara trained horse with a single-figure draw and that’s DARKNESS.
This six-year-old gelding was fourth in this race last year at 50-1 from stall 15 and off a mark of 94. His form tailed off after that but he has put up two really good runs in his last two races, finishing first and fifth in decent handicaps. Furthermore, he can race off a mark of 91 from stall 8 later today.
Darkness was as big as 20-1 after the 48-hour declarations yesterday but, somewhat annoying, the two main Racing Post tipsters, Tom Segal and Paul Kealy, both put him up as a bet last night and all double-figure prices have long gone. Back him each way at 15-2 with Paddy Power paying six places.
There are dangers aplenty including Two Tempting, who let down this column last time out at Sandown on ground that may have been too soft for him. Before that he won four of his first five starts this season and his mark of 95 remains fair given his form this term. His trainer Jonny Portman loves to target this meeting with his best horses and stall 7 is just fine.
Perotto is also likely to run a big race, back on his preferred quick ground after a decent run on ground much softer than ideal at Sandown last time out, when third to Cicero’s Gift. He is drawn in stall 10.
Trainer Hughie Morrison runs three of his best staying handicappers, Kyle Of Lochalsh, Vino Victrix and Premiere Ligne, in the marathon Coral Goodwood Handicap over a trip of more than two and a half miles (today, 1.50 p.m.). All have chances of landing this prize but my preference is for a horse from another dual-purpose yard.
SUPER SUPERJACK looks to have been laid out for this race by his new-ish handler, Olly Murphy. The seven-year-old gelding was second in this race two years ago and has dropped to an official rating 2 lbs lower than in 2022. The ground, the course and the distance are all ideal for him and Tom Marquand has been booked for the ride. Back him each way at 13-2 with Sky Bet paying seven places rather than at slightly bigger odds with one of the many bookmakers offering slightly bigger odds but less places.
There are a couple of horses in this race who are, in theory, well handicapped and could definitely win a their best: Vino Victrix and Alan King’s Tritonic. However, neither horse can be relied upon and both have run some real shockers recently.
Turning to tomorrow’s fare at Goodwood, I can’t let the veteran EUCHEN GLEN go unbacked at a big price in the Coral Summer Handicap over 1 mile 6 furlongs (2.25 p.m.).
Trainer Jim Goldie’s veteran ran well last time out when sixth in the John Smith’s Cup at York over a trip short of his best. Jockey Rossa Ryan has been booked for the ride which is interesting and so back this eleven-year-old, each way at 16-1 with Sky Bet, paying five places, once again going for more places rather than the best odds.
Normally, I can’t resist a bet in Coral Stewards’ Cup (3.35 p.m.) but it seems even more difficult than usual this year. I think the most likely winner is Andrew Balding’s Purosangue but this improving three-year-old is a top-priced 8-1 which is skinny enough for a 28-runner sprint handicap.
I will certainly be kicking myself if Summerghand wins, just seven days after I put him up for the International Stakes at Ascot only to see him disappoint. Odds of 20-1 are fair, especially over his preferred six furlongs, but I will show restraint and not have a financial interest in this race.
Last but not least, in the final race of this five-day meeting, I am backing ROWAYEH from the in-form Owen Burrows yard in the Coral We’re Here For It Handicap (5.20 p.m.). The trainer and jockey Jim Crowley have already had a winner at the meeting with Raqiya, courtesy of a stewards’ inquiry on Wednesday.
Rowayeh, a four-year-old filly, can race keenly so she should be suited by a big field and the likely fast pace. She is better judged on her fourth at Royal Ascot in the Kensington Palace Stakes in June rather than her poor run on the all weather at Chelmsford last time out. Back her each way at 10-1 with either bet365 or William Hill, both paying five places.
So, with Blue For You from a fortnight ago, that’s five tips for those who want a financial interest in this high-class racing over the next two days.
Pending:
1 point each way Super Superjack at 13-2 for the Coral Goodwood Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 7 places.
1 point each way Blue For You at 16-1 for the Coral Golden Mile, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Darkness at 15-2 for the Coral Golden Mile, paying 1/5th odds, 6 places.
1 point each way Euchen Glen at 16-1 for the Coral Summer Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Rowayeh at 10-1 for the Coral We’re Here For It Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Ghostwriter at 20-1 for the Juddmonte Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
Last weekend: – 3 points.
1 point each way Summerghand at 25-1 for the International Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Fresh at 11-1 for the International Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. 3rd. + 1.2 points.
1 point each way The Wizard of Eye at 12-1 for the International Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. Non runner. – 2 points.
1 point each way Rebel’s Romance at 4-1 for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places. 3rd. – 0.2 points.
2024 flat season running total + 9.4 points.
2023-4 jumps season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
My gambling record for the past eight years: I have made a profit in 15 of the past 17 seasons to recommended bets. To a 1 point level stake over this period, the overall profit of has been 517 points. All bets are either 1 point each way or 2 points win (a ‘point’ is your chosen regular stake).
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