Goodwood this week has become a complete joke. At the start of the week the going was “soft”, by Thursday it had dried out to “good” so they turn on the taps overnight. Have these morons been taking lessons from the French?
So to Saturday: forget the bookie-friendly races at 2:00, 3:45, 4:20 and 6:00.
Given the way that Sir Michael Stoute’s have been running this week, I would not want to be on Dartmouth in the 2:35. Mark Johnston is clearly keen to win it with four starters (three near the bottom of the weights) and Novancia looks the most likely of them. The progressive Barreesh steps up in trip but he was beaten on fast ground here a couple of races ago. The handicapper has not relented on Antiquarium and it is hard to see him conceding weight all around. There should be no lack of pace as improving Senrima (over further) and RIVER DART (over shorter) both went from the front last time but I think the latter looks the most likely although raised 8lb for last time.
It is a great shame that none of the top older fillies are contesting the Nassau Stakes as that probably means that an unworthy three year old is going to collect. Legatissimo won a poor 1000 Guineas and was subsequently beaten by a Ballydoyle donkey in The Oaks. Diamondsandrubies made all and beat the Guineas winner in their last race. Lady Of Dubai was third in The Oaks and Jazzi Top was fifth. It would not be the first time that the Gosden second-string had won if the latter prevailed whilst the former’s stable has disappointed this week. Star Of Seville stole the Prix de Diane last time but will find it harder to dictate here and she did not like downhill Epsom so will the track suit? Wedding Vow lost her maiden tag on easy ground last time. There are good reasons not to back anything and just watch.
At Newmarket in the 5:45, MISTER BRIGHTSIDE easily won a mediocre race on the track last time by four lengths and has been raised six pounds, which is not excessive enough to stop him completing a hat-trick dropping back to six furlongs, over which he won his maiden easily. The bookies think the same as he is best priced 7/4 currently.