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 best fillies take their turn to roll around the course, with a couple of three-year-olds looking to continue the electric form from the 1000 Guineas. There’s also the big Galway Hurdle this evening too. So don your Panama’s and let’s go racing.
Goodwood
Hurricane Season
2:25 – Richmond Stakes (Group Two) – Tropical Storm @ 9/2 (General)
Tropical Storm is still a maiden, but is improving run by run. He’s a half-sister to black-type sprinter Purosangue, another horse I really like at the moment. He ran a cracker of a Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, managing to get within a length of the winner. The form from that race has been boosted by Whistlejacket winning at Newmarket. Firm ground will suit, as will the step up in distance.
Renaissance Stayer
3:00 – Gordon Stakes (Group Three) – Jan Brueghel @ Evs (William Hill)
Still a three-year-old, unbeaten, and the potential to enter the stayers division later this year. Jan Brueghel has been magnificent, and it begs the question why he has been steadily on the drift. The rest of the field have all come from the Derby, apart from one who was a consistent handicapper. The Derby form, bar City Of Troy has not worked out at all, and Jan Brueghel is unexposed at this trip and ground. Exciting.
The Fat Lady Sings
3:35 – Nassau Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Opera Singer @ 5/2 (William Hill)
There’s no doubt in recent years this race has favoured three-year-olds. Nashwa and Winter are notable three-year-old winners, and this year’s crop look extra special. Opera Singer was agonisingly close at Royal Ascot, and was backed up when Porta Fortuna won at Newmarket. Despite the majority of her family all milers, she does have staying power from her sire Justify. Top rated and bags of talent, she can finally find her elusive win this season.
Or can Elmalka repeat her Guineas shock again. She was also involved in the race that Porta Fortuna won, but a wide draw may have let her down in the early stages. Despite only four runs, she is still improving, I think. And she won’t have a problem stepping up in distance either as she is a half-sister to Dubai Turf winner Benbatl. Great price at 8/1 (General).
Galway
Bed Bugs Bite
5:05 – Galway Hurdle (Grade Three) – Daddy Long Legs @ 17/2 (William Hill)
One trainer has dominated this race. And no prizes for guessing who. Nicky Henderson may be bringing an English challenger over, but hardly any English horses win at Galway. Daddy Long Legs was tipped to go to the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, but didn’t and has since won at Punchestown. He wasn’t at his best at Tipperary when he stopped racing after three out. Things should be in better order today.
Jesse Evans was only beaten by a head in last year’s contest and could complete an historic Galway Plate and Hurdle double, after Pinkerton won yesterday. Taking Connor Stone-Walsh’s claim on, he ends up being a pound lower than last year. Which makes his each-way price of 14/1 (BetVictor) an absolute steal.
The very best of luck!
