Afternoon all
2.00 Goodwood –JUKEBOX JURY 11/2 BOG – A competitive Group 3 to start the card at Goodwood. Redwood looks likely to start favourite having chased home Crystal Capella in Group 2 Company last time out. He had previously finished runner up to Rewilding at Meydan and has leading form claims of winning dropped in class. However Jukebox Jury offers a little bit more value – Mark Johnston’s 5yo has had a fantastic career so far winning 7 times from 17 starts. He showed he still has plenty to offer when winning a listed heat last time out from dead heaters Cavalryman and Afsare, whilst that form has hardly been boosted with Afsare comfortably beaten behind Crystal Capella and Redwood last time out and with Cavalryman posting a no show at the weekend. There was still plenty to like about the selections performance considering he had been off the track for a long time. I expect he has come on for that outing and he always tries his hardest when in a battle which could be a key factor in winning this race.
2.35 Goodwood – TAZAHUM 5/1 BOG – Western Aristocrat is going to be a short priced favourite for this race following a fine effort when 3rd behind Strong Suit in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out. That form has since been boosted by Strong Suit running 3rd in a Group 1 before going on to win the Lennox earlier on this week. Western Aristrocrat has a nice profile and whilst he is the most likely winner there is no value at 13/8. Sir Michael Stoute has his horses in good form of late and Tazahum can hopefully provide him with another winner. He looks a nice sort and progressed again last time out with a good 5th in a Group 3 at Royal Ascot, the form of that race is working out well enough with Pisco Sour going on to win a group 2 in France, Hunters Light has also won a listed and been placed in Group company and Auld Burns has also won from the race. The 5/1 about Tazahum seems fair value and if Hills can settle this strong travelling sort early on in the race I am confident he can win.
3.10 Goodwood – GREEN DESTINY 11/4 BOG WIN - & NAMECHECK E.W 33-1 BOG – This is perhaps the most competitive race of the week so far. Therefore it may seem strange going for the 11/4 favourite but Green Destiny made a huge impression at York when smashing Modun by 3 ½ lengths, he only carries a 3lb penalty for that effort and my thoughts are that this is a certain Group horse. The form of his York win is working out nicely with Modun finishing 2nd here earlier in the week and Lost In The Moment running a very good 2nd in the Goodwood Cup yesterday, the form also has a solid look to it with John Gosden’s Beachfire finishing 4th. I expect Adam Beschizza to get plenty of cover on Green Destiny before delivering his challenge about 2f from home. Namecheck is an interesting horse for a small E.W bet. This horse has lots of ability and I just get the feeling he is now only showing his best after a long layoff, he has taking his time but is progressing nicely and bellied his 20-1 odds when winning a handicap at Newmarket last time out. It seems Frankie prefers Man of Action but this allows a better price for Al Zarooni’s runner and for me he is overpriced.
4.20 Goodwood – GLEE 15/2 BOG (NAP) – I have been waiting for Glee to run again and I am delighted to see she runs off just 78 , she could make a mockery of that mark and with William Buick booked I am hoping she can win this comfortably. Of course Richard Hughes can’t make 8 stone 5 so he rides the top weight Lord of the Shadows who also has leading claims. Back to Glee she found only subsequent Group 3 winner Angels Will Fall too good on debut and made no mistake when getting off the mark at the second time of asking under a cheeky Richard Hughes ride, she got the better of Falls Of Lora that day who is now rated 89, the 4th home that day Iceni Girl has also performed to a fair level of form. The selection should really appreciate the step up to 7f; another huge positive is that her victory over Falls Of Lora was at this course. This is my most confident bet of the week and I will be disappointed if she isn’t good enough to win off 78.
4.50 Goodwood – MEMORY 11/1 (Current Price) – I know this is a huge risk and it is last chance saloon but if Memory actually decides to take part 11/1 looks a massive price. I will wait until she is going in the stalls before I bet though as I could tell last time out she was not going to take part. I will also be having only a small stake and betting in running as soon as she jumps out (if she does). Her price may shorten dramatically but for me she comes out way the best at the weights/ratings and to be honest I will be disappointed if he doesn’t win this if she takes part.