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 milers take their turn to roll around the course, with one horses looking to right his wrongs. There’s also the big Galway Plate this evening too. So don your Panama’s and let’s go racing.
Goodwood
Climbing Up The Mountain
2:25 – Oak Tree Stakes (Group Three) – Kathmandu @ 4/1 (General)
An lightly raced filly, who is interesting at the price. She wasn’t up to scratch in the Prix Jean Prat, but came so close in the French 1000 Guineas. Kathmandu has grown up since her third in the Nell Gwyn stakes, and firmer ground should be a more comfortable challenge for her. Dropping down from Group One’s may suit her even better.
Pretty Crystal hasn’t had the best seasons since winning the Nell Gwyn, but has never really had her ground. She seemed to be more of a sprinter than a miler, but was found out at York. She may prefer the step up to seven, particularly on firmer ground. The form from the 1000 Guineas works in her favour too. Nice price at 14/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports).
Quick Flowering
3:00 – Molecomb Stakes (Group Three) – Celandine @ 6/1 (General)
Celandine should not be double the price of Aesterius. She’s won twice out of two on good-to-firm ground and was a close third in the Prix Robert Papin. She has a weight allowance on Aesteris too. The formline from the Empress Fillies’ Stakes has worked out too, with Arabian Dusk winning next time out. Unbeaten on ground and good form all round, she deserves to be shorter.
Vingegaard was tipped up for the Weatherbys Super Sprint 11 days ago, and was agonisingly close in the finish. The trip suits to a ‘T’, particularly if there’s plenty of pace on offer. And looking back at the Windsor Castle, he just lost fourth going in the final 50 yards up the hill. Plenty of reasons to like him at 9/1 (William Hill).
Poetry In Motion
3:35 – Sussex Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Henry Longfellow @ 6/4 (General)
After a disappointing start in the French 2000 Guineas, his run at Royal Ascot was far better and much more of what we expected. He comes up against 2000 Guianeas winner Notable Speech who was very below par at Ascot. With no legitimate excuse, ground could be blamed in part, which is why I prefer Henry Longfellow, who proved to go well on it last time out.
Galway
Let’s Go Galway
7:10 – Galway Plate (Grade Three) – Lets Go Champ @ 7/1 (BetVictor)
Heading over to the West coast of Ireland, the Galway Plate is the feature of the Festival at Ballybrit. Won by a plethora of top trainers, this year should be no different. Henry de Bromhead last won this race with Balko Des Flos and looks to have a progressive staying chaser on his hands.
Lets Go Champ form took a rocket boost from his first start over fences when Fact To File won at Cheltenham, which saw him win at the Punchestown Festival. It’s become clear he’s a horse who prefers better ground. And whilst he’s up nine pounds, he’s still well weighted and should go near.
Life In The Park hasn’t had the best season over fences, but I don’t think he’s ever had his ground. His best results have come on good ground and was racing on soft all season. He didn’t run well in the Topham, but is down the weights in this contest. He came to form in the Plate at Cheltenham, and with the better ground is at least an each-way shout. 20/1 (BetVictor).
The very best of luck!
