It’s the midsummer horse racing event of the season. Glorious Goodwood is back, with five days of incredible racing on the Sussex Downs. Today the sprinters take their turn to thunder down the hill on the Sussex Downs. So don your Panama’s and let’s go racing.
Super Stayers
1:50 – Goodwood Handicap – Super Superjack @ 7/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
One of the most unique flat handicaps, taking place in possibly the best scenery of them all, no wonder the race is named after the course. But who can win this marathon trip?
Super Superjack hadn’t been seen at all last season and has already had two runs this season. Both have been underwhelming, but he’s down to an attractive mark at a race he’s been aimed at. Don’t forget he came near second in this race 2 years ago, on similar ground. He has every right to go for it again.
The horse who beat Super Superjack also returns to this race on an attractive mark. Master Milliner also took an elongated break and finished well back in the field on his previous two starts. He’s now three pounds lower than his win in 2022, and it’s clear he’s been aimed to regain his title in the race. Worth an each-way play at 12/1 (William Hill).
Tricky Group Three
2:25 – Thoroughbred Stakes (Group Three) – Al Musmak @ 3/1 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports)
Over the seven furlongs, and horses coming from all different directions, this is possibly the hardest race to work out this week. I’ve gone with the favourite, Al Musmak. Some may question his ability on the ground but he came second as a two-year-old on firm ground, and his latest experience on firm ground at Ascot was too far for him. Dropped down to seven, on firmish conditions may suit him better and looks versatile between seven furlongs and a mile.
One who should act on the ground, at a price, is Boiling Point. He was beaten in a narrow finish, but didn’t act himself at Ascot in the Jersey Stakes. That being said, he may was outpaced by other firm liking horses, and finished well enough down the field. Despite the wide draw, he can act on the ground and bounce back to the form he showed in the King Charles II Stakes in May. 16/1 (General).
Golden Horse
3:00 – Golden Mile Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Perotto @ 7/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
All the mile handicap specialists you know and love are back for this fascinating contests. Good old Perotto hardly lets anyone down when he’s on his day. Today, just looks like that. Two runs this season have seen him come third each time, and he’s now up to mark of 102. Whilst some might say that’s high, he’s only gone up four pounds in four runs, showing his consistency. He has form winning at Goodwood, which helps his cause even further.
Orbaan is another really likeable miler. He has been disappointing on the big stage, particularly last year when everything went wrong. He’s been dropped down into class four company, and found form this season winning the Carlisle Bell on firm ground. With a low weight on his back, in a decent nick of form, he can find his way back into the big time. 9/1 (William Hill).
Big & Fast
3:35 – King George Qatar Stakes (Group Two) – Big Evs @ 9/4 (General)
Firm ground, fast course, middle draw and alongside pace. What can go wrong for Big Evs? With Michael Appleby carding up with Big Mojo on Wednesday, surely that had to be amuse-bouce before the big race today. He ran creditably at Ascot behind Asfoora, who will face the question marks as Goodwood isn’t as conventional as Ascot is.
Starlust managed to regain himself by winning the Listed City Walls Stakes at York after disappointing at Group One level at Ascot. Firm ground is a question mark, having disappointed at Ascot before, but he may have been out of his depth that day, and it’s worth having another go at him today, to try and find that extra place. 8/1 (William Hill, Boylesports).
The very best of luck!
