Sunday's Meetings Ffos Las N/H 7 Races 1:25-4:55p.m. Southwell A/W 7 Races 1:40-5:10p.m. Goodwood Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Only going on what I’ve seen, he looks like a very nice young horse who has done everything they’ve asked of him. Not sure i would want a young lad first time out on a juvenile hurdler.
At Goodwood it does not look the greatest card but the 3:00 appears to be the feature race. Last year’s winner Spanish Star returns but the seven year old is on a 3lb higher mark despite having not won since and is 4lb worse off with last year’s runner up Lovely Breeze, Hugo Palmer’s four year old having won over course and distance before being mid division in the Ayr Silver Cup – it may be that both of them want soft ground (was last year). Nine year old Chiefofchiefs is winless since 2020 and has done nothing in his last two starts to indicate why he is so short in the betting on topweight. Indian Creek, A Sure Welcome and Full Authority have done nothing recently to suggest a return to form whilst connections of Mokaatil and Crazy Luck have both opted for claimers to relieve their burden. David Evans has two runners: the six year old Lihou has won over six, he plies his trade mostly over five whilst three year old filly DORA PENNY rattled off a hat-trick in small field handicaps in August, disappointed twice but then returned to winning ways at Ffos Las last time and can find the improvement to defy a career high mark for David Probert. Eight face the starter in the 4:45 where Pride Of Priory is likely to go off favourite for the Marquand/Haggas combination. He won three on the bounce, two on the kitty litter and a handicap on Shergar Cup day, before failing to defy topweight on soft ground at Hamilton. He can probably be forgiven that effort and should be thereabouts today. Tritonic has only been seen once this term when second at HQ in April so I wonder if Alan King’s charge is here warming up for something else or to go hurdling. King also runs On To Victory, not seen since last in the Old Newton Cup in July. Goshen has also not been seen since third here in May over two miles so may well be another one warming up to go hurdling as this trip is short for him as well. Kim Bailey’s Ajero was second in the Duke Of Edinburgh before winning at this track but ran abysmally at Sandown last time and races here off a 9lb higher mark than Ascot so is up against it as a seven year old. Seven year old Soto Sizzler won over course and distance four years ago but last won over ten furlongs back in April and would need a career best here. Last year’s winner Torcello was a surprise at 28/1 but has done nothing since and the eight year old was last and second last in his previous two starts. That leaves just SARATOGA GOLD, chasing a fourth successive win, although the hat-trick were the Apprentices’ Derby at Epsom and two amateur races, but Charlie Hills’ charge has the services of William Buick off a career high mark so the four year old might be capable of finding 5lb of improvement on drying ground.
Young Ben does seem to have something of a growing reputation though. Won for Harry Fry and Souede/Munir last month and managed to finish 6th on If The Cap Fits in the Pertemps Final. His strike rate would hardly fill you with confidence though.
Oh my, I often seem to be going against QMII which is just about always bad news for me!. Today, it's the 15:00 at Goodwood, a Class-3 Handicap sprint over 6f., in which he gives a 'not very promising' comment' on my fancy Spanish Star. So, I'll probably be taking it on the chin yet again! However, have always had a soft spot for Spanish Star, who always gives of his best. Very good jockey, Tom Marquand, on board for the Patrick Chamings Hampshire yard, which must be very close to Goodwood? 4/1 is the best price in nearly all places at time of writing.
Balding hasn't had a Royal 2yo winner for 2 years but runs Juryman in the second at Goodwood today. A half-brother to Kings Lynn, he was available at 11-1 last night and looked an EW opportunity. Now showing 11-2, so a bit marginal. May have a chance of making his presence felt.
4th, slightly missed the break and ran green and in snatches. Will do better but Balding may have to wait another year for a 2yo winner. The favourite won very well.
Have to say he won much easier than I expected. Fine ride by Tom Marquand, getting to be a real top-rank jockey, if not already one.
