The Qatar Goodwood Festival - 26 - 30 July 2016

[bitchy]

One of favourite flat meetings.very competitive races especially the handicaps.

Anyone looking forward to this great meeting ?

Anyone have any horses they are looking forward to seeing run ?

Anyone have any ante-post bets ?

I will put my thoughts and bets for the full 5 days,my 1st preview will be put up on here monday evening,but in the mean time lets try get some discussion going.

[Istabraq]

Good man.
I'm down there Tuesday so any views you have I'd appreciate.
Have to say I'm usually on holiday so rarely see the meeting but I went about 15 years ago and really liked Goodwood, one of the most attractive courses around and looking forward to going

[bitchy]

I will put tuesdays preview up monday night mate. ive never been to Goodwood but I will one day

[Istabraq]

I will put tuesdays preview up monday night mate. ive never been to Goodwood but I will one day

Start saving mate, £48 a ticket and that doesn't get you on the win line, think the cost will put many off....

[Faugheen_Machine]

I'm really keen on Toofi's chances in the Stewards Cup. Haven't backed him yet as he'll be available at the same price or bigger on the day, with extra place terms likely to be available

[mayo]

I am more of a Galway man but it would be good to get a bit of life around here

Tony Martin talking about taking the Pyromanic case to the high court

in the meantime Ruby jocked up on

http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?race_id=656163&r_date=2016-07-25&horse_id=800434#topHorseTabs=horse_race_record&bottomHorseTabs=horse_form

[Old Vic]

Bitchy - looking forward to your preview.

I see the rogueish Rennetti is out in the GPT at Galway tonight. Looks very trappy and a lot of love for the Weld favourite in other places but ....

[Statto]

2016 GLORIOUS GOODWOOD TRENDS – DAY ONE


kudos to Andy Newton

Tuesday 26th July 2016 – DAY ONE

2.00 – Sky Bet First Race Special Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m1f192y CH4

13/14 – Aged 4 or 5 years-old
13/14 – Had won over at least 1m2f before
12/14 – Had 4 or more previous runs that season
12/14 – Had won at least 3 times already during their career
11/14 – Carried 8-11 or more
10/14 – Unplaced favourites
10/14 – Returned 12/1 or shorter in the betting
9/14 – Unplaced last time out
10/14 – Had run at Goodwood before
9/14 – Returned a double-figure price in the betting
4/14 – Trained by Mark Johnston
3/14 – Won their last race
2/14 – Trained by Mick Channon
1/14 – Winning favourites



2.35 – Qatar Vintage Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 7f CH4

13/14 – Had won over 6f or 7f before
13/14 – Returned 6/1 or shorter in the betting
13/14 – Finished 1st or 2nd last time out
12/14 – Had 2 or 3 previous career runs
11/14 – Won last time out
9/14 – Won by a March or later foal
9/14 – Placed favourites
8/14 – Winning favourites
7/14 – Ran at either Newmarket (5) or Ascot (2) last time out
7/14 – Had won 2 previous races
4/14 – Had run at Goodwood before
4/14 – Trained by Richard Hannon
3/14 – Ridden by Frankie Dettori


3.10 – Qatar Lennox Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 7f CH4

14/14 – Had won at least 2 times before
13/14 – Returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting
12/14 – Had 2 or more previous runs already that season
11/14 – Had won over 7f before
11/14 – Previous Group Race winners
10/14 – Had previously won a Group 2 or 3
9/14 – Aged 3 or 4 years-old
8/14 – Had run at Goodwood before
6/14 – Ran at Ascot last time out
5/14 – Winning favourites
3/14 – Trained by Richard Hannon


3.45 – Summer Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m6f CH4

12/13 – Aged either 4 or 5 years-old
12/13 – Had won at least twice before
11/13 – Had raced within the last 4 weeks
11/13 – Had won over at least 1m4f before
9/13 – Returned 9/1 or shorter in the betting
9/13 – Rated between 90-100
8/13 – Carried 9-7 or more
8/13 – Came from the top three in the betting
8/13 – Placed favourites
4/13 – Winning favourites
4/13 – Ran at Newmarket last time out
3/13 – Won last time out
3/13 – Ran at Ascot last time out
3/13 – Trained by Mark Johnston
2/13 – Trained by Luca Cumani
2/13 – Ridden by Ryan Moore

[bitchy]

2.00 Goodwood – Matchbook Betting Exchange Stakes (Handicap)



Perennially a very tricky opening race to the Festival, highlighted by the fact that seven of the last ten winners were sent off at double-figures. That doesn’t particularly bode well for the current jolly Shakopee although the only favourite to have landed this in the last decade was Mount Logan last year, also trained by Luca Cumani. The lightly-raced four-year-old has clearly had his problems and entered this year having had only three runs in his opening two campaigns, albeit looking a potentially smart animal on each occasion. It took him a couple of runs to get going this year but the way in which he kicked clear at Doncaster last time really caught the eye. The form of that run has since been franked by Goodwood Mirage who scored at Sandown last week and makes a 7lb rise for his latest win look fairly reasonable. The suspicion is that there may be better to come but he could just find one or two a bit more streetwise in a competitive race such as this.

Mark Johnston has been the man with a plan when it comes to this race over the years having landed four of the last ten renewals. The master of Middleham has a quartet of runners this year in a bid to increase his already stellar record, headed by recent Newbury scorer Stars Over The Sea. Roger Brookhouse’s five-year-old had an up and down spell over hurdles for David Pipe before returning to the Johnston yard a few months back and showed some of his old vigour with a comfortable victory last time. A 6lb rise for that looks fair from the assessor although he may not get it all his own way in front this time.

Watersmeet looks to be the number one pick on jockey bookings as the choice of Joe Fanning but is at the time of writing, the least fancied of the four Johnston runners. He is another that will likely be up with the pace and wasn’t beaten far off this mark a couple of starts back at Newmarket. Top weight Revolutionist looks to be in the grip of the handicapper now off a career-high mark of 107 for all that the faster underfoot conditions should suit him better than when down the field in the John Smith’s Cup last time while Fire Fighting has been consistent this year and wasn’t beaten all that far in the same York race latest and has been given a chance off a 2lb lower mark.

Godolphin also hold a strong hand here with a pair of fancied runners and Second Wave is likely to have his fair share of supporters on the back of his close-up second in the Listed Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot last time out. That was an impressive performance returning from a near six month break and he retains the hood that was applied for the first time at the Royal Meeting here, which should help him settle as he has a tendency to prove a tad keen in his races. 4lb higher now, he must still be considered given how few miles he has on the clock but preference is for the apparent second-string for the Boys in Blue, BEST OF TIMES.

He is another lightly-raced four-year-old and could have a bit to prove after three low-key performances so far this year. However, although I’m not one for excuses, there are explanations for each run this year. He could be forgiven needing his Chester reappearance after a year off, but travelled powerfully throughout only to be denied by trouble in running due to a wide draw. His sixth in the Wolferton was a perfectly reasonable effort and he could well have finished closer had not attempted to change legs at a crucial stage in the final furlong. It’s best to put a line completely through his run in the Coral Challenge at Sandown when William Buick made a puzzling decision to pull him to the near side rail only for the majority of the field to power away down the middle of the track. His mark of 105 hasn’t changed since the beginning of the campaign and a couple of lbs respite from the assessor would have been preferable, but if he is the same horse that finished second in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes behind subsequent Irish Derby runner-up Storm The Stars at Goodwood last May, he would have a massive say in matters.

One that can’t go without mention is Erik The Red who has been most consistent this year. Kevin Ryan’s charge has finished in the frame in valuable handicaps at Haydock, York and Leopardstown this season and with the services of Ryan Moore now in the plate, he could well run a big race.

MY Advice

BEST OF TIMES – 0.5pt e/w @ 12/1 (Sky Bet, Ladbrokes)



2.35 Goodwood – Qatar Vintage Stakes (Group 2)



The best place to start with this race is to look at the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July Meeting, where Godolphin’s BOYNTON ran out a good winner over the re-opposing War Decree from the all-conquering Aidan O’Brien stable, who was extremely well-backed before the off. It was a brilliant performance from the Charlie Appleby-trained colt as he had to come from the rear of the field whilst overcoming a little keenness early on, whereas his rival in second had pretty much the run of the race from a prominent position.

The More Than Ready colt battled on well at the end of the race as well, despite a slightly high head carriage, and could well have been value for more than the three-quarters of a length winning margin, so even though he’ll have to carry a 3lb penalty for that win, I’m not sure whether that alone will be enough for O’Brien’s charge to overturn the form – horses carrying a penalty have gone well in this race historically, Olympic Glory & King Torus both won the race under a penalty in the last six renewals.

The draw (8) shouldn’t be a problem as he’s a horse that is usually dropped in so that he can settle better and given that four of the last five winners have ‘held-up’ appearing in the description of how they won the race, you’d be very hopeful that, in a field of 10, traffic problems wouldn’t be too much of an issue. Boynton also has experience of the course after he won his maiden here, defeating the useful Mutawatheb, and that’s always a big advantage for these two-year-olds on such a unique track.

As for War Decree, if he can jump well from his rail draw in 1 and be prominent once again, he’ll be a big threat, especially if he’s come on for that run behind Boynton at Newmarket. The War Front colt will love the ground too and strictly at the weights, he’s 3lb better off for being beaten by less than a length, even though that’s not always the most reliable pointer for two-year-old form. He won his maiden well on quick ground over this trip and even though it hasn’t worked out brilliantly, with no other horse in the race having won yet, he could well be the one they all have to catch entering the final furlong.

Away from that race, possibly the best form is brought by Andrew Balding’s Isomer, who was half a length behind Churchill in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and then a facile winner of a Salisbury maiden despite running the final couple of furlongs with a saddle that had slipped. He’s a horse that has shown he stays seven furlongs extremely well and certainly won’t be weakening at the finish, but the suspicion is that in this company and on as sharp a track as Goodwood is, he might lack for that top-class speed at a key stage in the race.

One of the most unexposed horses in the field comes from a stable that have won this race four times in the last six years (admittedly when Richard Hannon Snr was in charge). Larchmont Lad hacked up on his racecourse debut at Sandown Park, beating next-time-out winner Maths Prize by over three lengths and making a serious impression. Hannon is famous for his excellent two-year-olds and he clearly likes this son of Footstepsinthesand, as does the market, making him third favourite in this competitive-looking race, but it’s a big ask to see him beating the two at the head of the market.

Repton is the other representative from the Hannon stable and it’s interesting that he’s being stepped up to seven furlongs now after winning over five last time. He’s got a bit of stamina through his Dam’s line so it’s not an impossibility that he’ll get this trip, but he has looked very speedy so far, being by Zebedee so it’s a big question mark for me. However, the step up in trip could unlock plenty of improvement so he can’t be dismissed, especially coming from this stable, but that improvement will have to be very substantial as he’s probably facing off against a couple of Guineas horses for next season.

Finally, Thunder Snow is worth a close look, despite finishing a well-beaten eighth in the Coventry behind the excellent Caravaggio. He’s a close relative of Always Smile, Ihtimal and First Victory, so there’s plenty of ability in his family and you’d definitely expect more to come from the Helmet colt. All of those relatives stayed at least seven furlongs and even though this will be his first attempt at the trip, the quick ground will help him there. James McDonald is also booked to ride, so there will be plenty of confidence from the saddle too and at 14/1, he could be the each-way play in the race.

MY Advice

BOYNTON – 2pts win @ 5/2 (Paddy Power, William Hill)



3.10 Goodwood – Qatar Lennox Stakes (Group 2)


With three of the eight declared runners running in the Godolphin blue here, the commentator on duty will have to keep a close eye on the caps if the respective jockeys. They look to hold a strong hand and the first to mention is Richard Fahey’s Birchwood who bounced back to form when winning at Listed level last time. The three-year-old had some good form as a juvenile notably when an unlucky fifth here in the Vintage Stakes as well as his third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind Hit It A Bomb. The fitting of a visor seemed to rejuvenate the colt and although he has a bit to find with the leading protagonists, he could go well under Ryan Moore.

However, the race looks likely to centre on the front two in the market and it is easy to make a case for course and distance winner Dutch Connection. Charlie Hills’ colt won his maiden at this meeting two years ago and has performed consistently well subsequently. His only win following that effort came in the Jersey Stakes last year where the combination of seven furlongs and fast ground seemed to bring out the best in him. He was also a close second to Toormore in this race, although the ground would have been slower than ideal on that occasion. I expect him to run well under James McDonald, who is riding as well as anyone at the minute but he found one too good last year and I think that may be the case again here.

The one who appeals most is HOME OF THE BRAVE who had some smart form last season, but there is no doubt he has improved this year, winning twice in Listed and Group 3 company. He seems to have learned to settle in front and from an inside draw, he is perfectly placed to dictate proceedings here. Goodwood is notorious for horses encountering trouble in running and as we saw last year, it can be difficult to peg a front-runner back on this undulating course. James Doyle gets on very well with the four-year-old having won four times on him and I think everything is set up for him to give a bold display. He has a good turn of foot which Doyle will be hoping to use off the front and I think he is the one they all have to beat.

I should also mention his stablemate Gifted Master who is one of only three three-year-olds in the line-up. He enjoyed a fine start to the campaign, winning twice over six furlongs before finishing third behind Quiet Reflection in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. His trainer believes his best trip is seven furlongs and whilst he was undone by the ground last time, he is interesting back on a sounder surface.

The final one to look at is Markaz who got the rewards for a number of consistent efforts when landing the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle a few weeks ago. Owen Burrows’ colt saw out the six furlongs really well on that occasion but he is equally adept at seven and the yard continues to fire in the winners. He has plenty to find with Home Of The Brave on their Leicester form but he can’t be ruled out if backing up his latest effort.

MY Advice

HOME OF THE BRAVE – 1.5pts win @ 9/4 (Bet365, William Hill, SkyBet)



3.45 Goodwood – Better Odds With Matchbook Summer Stakes (Handicap]


The hat-trick seeking King Bolete will likely have his fair share of followers and has looked a much improved horse since being gelded and joining Roger Varian over the winter. On both occasions at Ascot and Haydock, the four-year-old has led from pillar to post and showed a great deal of grit and determination to hold off all challengers for the win. However, he may not have everything his own way in front this time and the only other time he has attempted this trip was when he was well beaten in the Melrose Stakes at York last August. When you also take into account a 10lb rise in the handicap, there are enough reasons to avoid him here for all that he is clearly in the form of his life.

Therefore, preference is for NOTARISED who represents last year’s winning trainer Mark Johnston. The five-year-old has proved very versatile in terms of ground and trip and produced arguably his best performance of this campaign over course and distance back in May when third behind subsequent Duke of Edinburgh Handicap winner Kinema having only ceded the lead inside the final half furlong. His Goodwood record is actually a very good one with a C&D win to his name, two thirds and his only out of the frame effort coming in this race 12 months ago when a close-up sixth off a 5lb higher mark. He hasn’t raced off a mark as low as 98 since landing the Old Newton Cup last year off only 2lb lower and looks primed for a big run here.

Qewy is an interesting contender for Charlie Appleby having finished a fantastic runner-up in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting in June. That was his first run for the yard following an in and out spell over obstacles for John Ferguson and he looked to be more at home back on the level. However, that was over six furlongs further than today’s trip and in testing conditions so this race may not completely play to his strengths.

Old Newton Cup winner Tawdeea really caught the eye when staying on strongly at Haydock earlier in the month and, although well fancied in the John Smith’s Cup next time, the drop in trip probably just found him out. He steps up to 1m6f for the first time here and the big strapping four-year-old looks just the type to relish this kind of stamina test. A career-high mark of 104 will be no easy task to overcome though and the suspicion is that he will find a couple of rivals on better terms here.

Gold Prince finished a length and a half behind him at Haydock last time and has been ultra-consistent all year for the in-form Sylvester Kirk yard. However, he now finds himself 10lb higher than at the beginning of the campaign without a win to his name and may prove more effective with a bit of cut in the ground.


MY Advice

NOTARISED – 1pt e/w @ 10/1 (Bet365, Paddy Power)

[bitchy]

4.20 Goodwood – Weatherbys Private Bank Stakes (Handicap)


A nineteen runner sprint handicap probably fills most punters hearts with dread but whilst this looks a competitive heat, last year’s race suggests that the draw could play a major role in the outcome. The first three home came from single-figure stalls which is down the centre of the racecourse, so it might be best to focus on these runners to start with.

One horse who is likely to be high on many shortlists is Maljaa who hasn’t won since last September, but he has turned in some fine efforts in defeat, including when seventh at Ascot last time. Despite finishing behind six of his rivals on that occasion, he was only beaten just over a length at the line and it is easy to see him running well again here. He does however have to carry top weight again and there may be some better handicapped horses in the line-up.

Another towards the head of the weights is Gary Moore’s Dutch Masterpiece who did manage to win in Listed company at the end of last season, but he has failed to back that up on his next five starts. The visor, which he has worn since last July has been taken off in a bid to refresh the six-year-old and with James McDonald booked, he could run a big race if things fall right for him.

There were several horses in today’s line-up who contested the same Ascot contest as Maljaa earlier this month and the one who finished best was Union Rose who came home in fifth. Ron Harris’ four-year-old backed up a fine effort in defeat at Sandown with another good effort on ground which was quicker than ideal. Despite running well on good to firm ground last time, I think he ideally prefers a bit of cut and so he could find it tough to go close again here.

Just behind him in sixth was Mick Easterby’s Bowson Fred who has enjoyed a fine time on the all-weather this Spring, winning three times. He continues to creep up the handicap but he was only headed close home at Ascot under Kieran O’Neill and Nathan Evans’ 5lb claim here should help ease the burden. He is one of the more interesting runners in the field and if he can overcome his draw in stall 14, he is likely to be right in the firing line.

Nigel Tinkler’s Thesme looks likely to be popular in the market and certainly the booking of Frankie Dettori catches the eye. The four-year-old won twice at York last Summer and turned in her best effort of this year when second in the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh last month. She was beaten a length at her favourite York last time and despite going up in the weights again here, clearly plenty is expected.

Mick Channon’s Shore Step is also well-fancied but his best form has been over six furlongs in the past and so I think the six-year-old is short enough in the market. He is another who tends to run his race but a downhill five furlongs on fast ground might just be sharp enough for him.

Instead, the one who makes plenty of appeal is HAY CHEWED who has been highly-tried since winning in Listed company back in 2014. She wasn’t beaten far in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket earlier this season but she seemed to appreciate the drop into a conditions event on the July Course last time. She wore a hood for just the second time on that occasion and was only collared close home by Monsieur Joe, which rates a good effort and the headgear is retained for this assignment. She was dropped 2lb on the back of that and from a stall 4 draw, I think she can outrun her odds of around 16/1.


MY Advice


HAY CHEWED – 0.5pt e/w @ 16/1 (Paddy Power)



4.55 Goodwood – Irish Thoroughbred Marketing EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes.


This looks a tricky little maiden and with horses with experience having fared well in this race in the past, it is no surprise to see most of the top half of the market coming here with the benefit of a run. The market leader is Clive Cox’s Harry Angel whose only start saw him finish a narrow second to Saeed Bin Suroor’s Reach High at Ascot. Having been keen early on, he kept on strongly under hands and heels riding from Adam Kirby to be beaten just a nose at the line. His rival had the benefit of experience on that occasion and with more to come from this colt, he is clearly expected to go well. He has an entry in the Gimcrack in a few weeks’ time and the yard had a high profile 2yo success at the weekend in France. It is easy to see why he is favourite for this but in a tough event I think that 7/4 is short enough.

Misleading won this race two years ago in the colours of Mrs Fitri Hay and she is doubly represented here with Colonel Frank and Poetic Principle. The former wasn’t beaten far on debut at Yarmouth and the form of that race is starting to work out well with the second and fourth having come out and won since. He should be wiser for that run and this full-brother to Agent Allison comes right into the reckoning.

Charlie Hills opted to run Parys Mountain in the Coventry Stakes following a promising runner-up effort at Leicester on debut and whilst he made little impact at Ascot, he is worthy of interest back in this sort of company. He finished second behind the smart Thunder Snow on debut and this Gimcrack entry is likely to show up well with Silvestre De Sousa getting back on board.

The one of most interest to me is Saeed Bin Suroor’s BEST SOLUTION who showed plenty to work on at Windsor on debut, when third behind Clive Cox’s Kodiline. He missed the break under James Doyle but made good late headway under hands and heels to be beaten just under three lengths at the line. The form of that race has been boosted with Richard Hannon’s Majeste having won impressively next time and I think there is more to come from this Kodiac colt. The yard have done well with their two-year-olds so far this year and with the benefit of that run under his belt, I think he looks a solid each-way bet.

Of the newcomers, the most interesting is Hugo Palmer’s Mazyoun who has entries in both the Group 2 Gimcrack and the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes later in the season. The colt is a three-parts brother to Hooray who won four times as a two-year-old including the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes on her final start. The Palmer yard have had a couple of two-year-old winners in the past couple of weeks and with the owners heavily involved in the sponsorship of this meeting, it is quite possible that he has been saved for this assignment.

The two Richard Hannon runners are also interesting with Swag and Tesko Fella having both sold for £125,000 and €100,000 respectively as yearlings. Neither has particularly fancy entries looking forward but the yard has saddled two winners of this race in the last decade so they are respected.


MY Advice


BEST SOLUTION – 0.75pt e/w @ 7/1 (SkyBet)



5.30 Goodwood – Smarter Bets With Matchbook Betting Exchange Fillies’ Stakes (Handicap)


This looks an interesting puzzle to solve, with plenty of fillies taking advantage of the weight allowance for three-year-olds; in fact, over half the field are three, with only one mare over the age of four.

Haley Bop represents Mark Johnston, who always seems to do well at this meeting, and this filly is a solid yardstick for the others to try and overcome. Her mark of 88 is one she’s showed she can cope with after finishing a slightly unlucky third over seven furlongs at Sandown Park last time out, staying on well at the end, so this step back up to a mile should suit. She’ll most likely be prominent from her draw in 1 as well, so don’t be surprised to see her as the one to catch rounding the turn for home under Joe Fanning.

Drawn on the opposite side, Richard Hannon’s Shwaimsa looks to have a bit of a task on her hands if she wants a prominent position, but she’s shown some tactical versatility so far in her career, so you’d be surprised if Frankie Dettori got her trapped wide throughout the piece. She’s run creditably off this mark in her last couple of starts, finishing a never-nearer third in decent races at Ascot and Newbury, so she certainly can’t be discounted now receiving the Dettori assistance for the first time.

Quebee is progressive, winning on both of her last two runs at Windsor over an extended mile and while the 3lb ride is unlikely to stop her running well, it could be that this better company will find her out a little. The sharp nature of the track is also a small concern as she seems like the type that would appreciate a mile and a quarter, so even though she enjoys the quick ground and looks to be still ahead of the handicapper, this is a step up in class over a slightly shorter trip might be a little too much.

Another progressive, consistent filly is the Ralph Beckett-trained Desert Haze, who has only been out of the top three once in six runs and that was on her debut. She runs off a mark of 83 here and has shown already that it’s not one that’s beyond her, finishing third in a similar race at Ascot off just a pound lower. She’s likely to go forward under Harry Bentley from her low draw so she should be involved at the business end as long as she doesn’t go too fast.

Pure Art, also from the Beckett stable, has to be there or thereabouts after being raised just 1lb for coming a close second to the progressive Pirouette last time out at Doncaster. That rival subsequently filled the runner-up spot in a hugely competitive handicap at Ascot, finishing behind Mustashry but in front of Folkswood, so there are some decent form lines there. Whether Ralph Beckett’s filly is as progressive over a mile as Pirouette is up for debate, but being a half-sister to Romsdal, a high-class stayer, you’d think she’d want a bit further than this, especially on fast ground. Even so, she’ll appreciate a fast pace, something she should get from the likes of Haley Bop and Desert Haze, to name but two possible leaders, and she’s unlikely to be far away off her low weight.

However, the one that I want to be on here is one that we haven’t seen so far this season and one that hasn’t run for over 200 days longer than anything else in the race. Trained by Luca Cumani, HAGGLE has clearly always been highly-regarded, judging by the races she’s been campaigned in, starting with a strong third place in a maiden won by Ballydoyle and with Nemoralia in third. Her maiden win was a cozy affair, thumping Hereawi, now rated 84 and progressing, by two and a half lengths at Newmarket, while her third start was a very creditable third place in a Listed race at that track, won by 1000 Guineas fourth Fireglow.

The ground was softer than Haggle would have liked it that day, yet she still put in a very good effort and stayed the mile well. The Pivotal filly is from a family that Cumani knows well and he’s been quite cautious with the development of her, presumably as he thinks she’s quite good, so the fact she hasn’t been seen yet this season may well be a positive rather than a negative. A mark of 93 may not seem that lenient on the face of it, but due to the three-year-old’s allowance, she’s 9lb better off with top-weight Gratzie, who’s rated just a pound higher than her, so if inexperience and fitness aren’t issues, she’s entitled to go very well indeed in a race where there may not actually be many fillies with her level of class.


MY Advice

HAGGLE – 1pt win @ 6/1 (Sky Bet, Bet Victor)

[Istabraq]

Cheers bitchy, great effort, will follow on a few of them.

Just a note for the 3.45, I backed a horse in the Northumberland Plate, Arch Villain, who got caught on the rail and was staying on well when those in front started dying and Jim Crowley couldn't steer his mount out of trouble and he effectively stopped riding and the horse was allowed to coast the last furlong or so home, I've been waiting for this one to reappear (same mark disappointingly).
Arch Villain has a crucial C&D victory to his name and the undulations of Goodwood don't suit every horse but we have no fears on that score, the bigger concern is that the horse hasn't seen grass for 3 years and there must be a reason for this, but at 20/1 I'm happy to take a flyer.

bitchy's selection has already been backed so could well be Pricewise.

Good luck all

[Istabraq]

Other darts landed:

2.00 Snoano e/w 16/1 - better race but bang in form
2.35 Larchmont Lad e/w 9/1 - just one very impressive trip to the racecourse, could be anything and Hannon is a good guide in this
3.10 Home of the Brave win 9/4 - plunge !
3.45 Arch Villain e/w 20/1 - will be driving home via Beachy Head if Francis of Assisi win this
4.20 Shore Step e/w 8/1 - went close in Stewards consolation last year
4.55 Mazyoun e/w 7/2 - unraced Al Shaqab colt small e/w

[Faugheen_Machine]

Great work Bitchy - it would take me a couple of days to write that!!

No bet for me tomorrow.

Wrt Renetti, thought he ran another promising race. I'm guessing they'll be planning another tilt at the cesarewitch this season and he'll be on my shortlist...... again!

[Old Vic]

Thanks to all ...all I can give you is Pricewise

Goodwood #pricewise pic.twitter.com/U3SidES3pO

— Alan Strand (@1973Alan) July 25, 2016

[Old Vic]

For an interest - missed the notarised price

Oathkeeper @ 7/2
Fit For The Job @ 11/1
Automated @ 9/1


Arch Villain @ 20/1
Stars Over The Sea @ 9/1
Lucky 31, 31 bets * £0.50 EW