2.45 Woodland Aria 9/2
Liber Nauticus is the talking horse and her maiden win was visually impressive at Goodwood, as was her physique! However, the fact that it was none other than CUSHION that she flew past- a keen running nutcase from the Gosden yard who has been beaten in a handicap off 81, tempers my enthusiasm.
Woodland Aria, on the other hand, was mighty green out of the stalls when making a debut at an unfashionable Wolverhampton, but don't be deceived here. Sent off 4/1, she was in 5th for the majority of the race, initially looking like there would be difficulty hanging on to the coat tails of two Godolphin runners and the Stoute favourite, ELIK. However, by the time they reached the 3f pole, she was travelling very strongly and as they hit the 2f pole, she had cruised up to them on the bridle. Not only did she then make headway on the inside of the bend turning for home, she was switched out by Buick to win hands and heels cosily from Elik.
The ELIK form is important here. It was a cosy victory that was far more value than the margin suggests, and Elik was an extremely unucky 4th in the Cheshire Oaks last week, failing to find gaps at the right times and finishing never nearer 4L behind the well regarded Banoffee.
I think at 9/2 Woodland Aria warrants serious consideration, especially as this is 10f on a flat track- she has the speed to do a job on the favourite here. Liber Nauticus is the better Oaks chance as the trip is longer and Epsom more testing, but for today? I'll go with Gosden.