Friday's Meetings Pontefract Flat 8 Races 12:25-3:55p.m. Leopardstown Flat 8 Races 1:05-4:35p.m. Glorious Goodwood Flat 8 Races 1:10-4:55p.m. Lingfield(E) A/W 9 Races 4:15-8:25p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 9 Races 4:30-8:35p.m. Galway Festival(E) N/H 8 Races 4:45-8:15p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
I am owed quite a fair sum by One Master, who never seems to win with my money on her, and I am definitely deserting her in the Oak Tree Stakes with the ground drying out as she has never won on good ground or better. Agincourt and Under The Stars were both behind her in the Falmouth. The form of the former fillies’ second at Royal Ascot was hardly helped by the winner in the Nassau, but Wasmya never featured that day and Invitational went off like a scalded cat and emptied at the distance. This track will be more to her liking if Atzeni is going to go from the front again. I simply cannot make a case for most of the three year olds as Final Song’s fourth in the 1000 Guineas was followed up by two poor efforts but perhaps the drying ground is what she needs; and the other Godolphin filly Althiqa was beaten by Under The Stars on her penultimate start. Valeria Messalina carries a penalty for her latest win in a Group 3 and Frankie ought to have her near the pace and she could be good enough; however, she does only receive 4lb from the mare BREATHTAKING LOOK, a Group 3 winner last term and runner-up in a pair of Group 3s this year, with three career wins at this trip. I am going to swerve Montatham in the Golden Mile because my jinx jockey is on it, I have done him in the 1:45 and he probably rode the only winner I will back him on this year in the Sussex! As Battaash usually brings his A-game to Goodwood and is looking to win the King George Stakes for the fourth consecutive year, who is the forecast? Glass Slippers won the Abbaye when Battaash had one of his days but Liberty Beach finished ahead of her when they were fifth and third respectively at Royal Ascot, so I think the three year old (a previous course and distance winner) will take the runners up spot. It will not be a great dividend. There are some really dodgy old timers lining up for the Glorious Stakes. Thundering Blue was a good performer a couple of seasons ago but totally lost his way in 2019 and globetrotting Desert Encounter seems to like Woodbine or five runner races like this last year when he won. The obvious choice is front-runner Communique but he may not be allowed his own way with Pablo Escobarr also keen to lead, so Joe Fanning might have to avoid them cutting each other’s throats and sit just off him.
Only one for me so far that I'll be interested in and it's from the Crisford barn In the 4.20, ZAMAANI. Has run behind the likes of TACTICAL and TWAASOL and then the last day won with any amount in hand. Is giving plenty of weight away but I see him winning this.
I have been waiting to see Harvard and today is finally the day. By Galileo this is the sire's first try with a dam who had a good one in Tepin, who was by Bernstein. Aidan O'Brien mentioned earlier in the season that he felt this colt was Royal Ascot quality and he was said to be a possible for the Chesham at one stage. Harvard didn't turn up at Royal Ascot but some of the ones Aidan sent didn't do well there, or since, so perhaps it's not a bad thing. There used to be a line of thought that Aidan used to like to run his best long term prospect in the Tyros stakes and Harvard holds an entry for that contest. Interestingly, Battleground is not entered in that Group 3 race. Harvard would have to do a quick turnaround to run in this season's Tyros though, as it is on the 6th of August. Probably needs to make a winning debut so I thought I would play him at 5/2 because I have been waiting for him to appear and he will surely be shorter if anything is expected first time up. 1.05 Leopardstown Harvard 5/2 Hopefully he has been well educated for this test and can be backed with a degree of confidence
I felt Ventura Diamond was worth a shot on her debut 10 days ago and she was not disgraced in 4th place. The winner of that race, Miss Jingles, went on to score again next time and I commented after Ventura Diamond's debut that she looked as if she needed 6F. She gets that extra furlong now and I feel she is better value than John Gosden's Sarsaparilla, who has had four starts already. Richard Hannon's Enoughisgoodenough cost 440,000 Euros and the Dark Angel filly could be smart but I thought Ventura Diamond looked sure to improve and that the extra furlong would suit ideally. 4.55 Goodwood Ventura Diamond 3/1
Friday telly picks 145 Invitational ew 215 Kahloosy cw Tilsit 245 Prompting 315 Baatash no bet 345 Communique Good luck all
2.45 Goodwood Cliffs of Capri. I backed him last week at Ascot and he ran a blinder. Obviously in good heart, great draw in 4, should be there when it matters. Good luck all. Have a great Friday
Morning 7.35 Wolverhampton-Latin Knight Each Way @ 15-2 [Bet 365] Is the horse in the race with most scope for improvement
Goodwood 1.10pm Celestran 8/1 each way 4 places with Skybet. Seems a bit of a tricky ride but has experience at the track and Dettori rides him for first time. Will handle the drying ground too so must have a pretty good chance of hitting the frame. Good luck.
You would think that two of Jim Crowleys rides today are shoe ins and looking at his other rides could win on another 1 or 2, but it doesn't always pan out like that and I'm sure 1 will let me down. So I've done his two shoe ins and with his 4 other rides to be placed at Skybets enhanced placings which pays around the 18/1 mark. Worth a few £ I reckon. Will do a Placepot with his selections too.
All about Vale Of Kent today, he was second in this race last season from a poor draw. Today he gets a good draw and the race doesn’t have much pace in it which should allow him to dictate
One of those horses that every time is running you think has a very good chance but never seems to deliver.
to be fair to him he’s won 7 races from 31 and has run countless more good races in defeat. He has been well found in the market this year though and now he’s too short for his chances.
2 singles and a double for me 1445 Sir Busker And with you Mick think your spot on. 1620 Zamaani Also done Grendels 2, singles and a double. Then thought what if, so i've gone again with them all. 4 trebles and an 4 fold. Good luck.
I think he will run well today but my concern would be last year he was on a mark of 98 going in to the race. His mark now is 108. Carried 9 stone 3 last year and this year 9 stone 9. So he s on a career high mark and this will be pretty tough to win. Top 6 finish likely..
There are certainly some speedballs in that 3:15 at Goodwood, even rank outsider Ornate can show blistering speed over the quarter-horse distance. Getting a bit past it now, but was third last year to champion Battaash.
You can never be confident with unraced and lightly raced horses. I suggested Harvard and Ventura Diamond mainly as horses whose prices could beat SP. Harvard is generally 10/11 now and Ventura Diamond 9/4, so hopefully that is a good sign. Of course the harder part is getting them to actually win.
