I have pretty much given up on York for this year. Record prize money but nobody wants to try and win it except the handicaps.
Another crappy Saturday card at HQ: two Class 5s, two Class 4s, a five runner Class 3 and a 20 runner sales race.
So to Goodwood...
My initial look at the 2.05 handicap came to be right when I trawled through the form. Zoulu Chief’s best effort this term was last time, after being gelded, but now steps up a furlong in a hotter race. Principality won over a mile here last time on easy ground but drops a furlong in a hotter race so there are others preferred. Gorak was third at this distance last time but is on a long losing streak, as is Billyjoh. Royal Zabeel has to give weight away all around off a mark of 104 after winning at HQ a couple of weeks ago. Purosangue has not won in two years and would probably prefer it to rain to help him here. Roscolyn won this two years ago and likes the track. His claimer offsets his rise for winning over a mile here last time and he looks a danger for David O’Meara. The other O’Meara runner, Darkness, looks up against it having not troubled the judge in three starts since winning an ordinary race at Thirsk. Palmar Bay has won two of four this year and should go well although this looks hotter than his latest Chester victory. Three year old Back In Black has not been seen since winning on his return at Newbury but clearly goes well fresh and is a danger with not many miles on the clock. The two that most interest me are on a hat trick. Great Acclaim won at Chepstow last time and had Billyjoh behind over course and distance before that. He looks sure to go well; however, MUDBIR won his third race of the year last time over course and distance. The bad news from my point of view is my jinx jockey in the saddle because of the ownership. Maybe a reverse forecast on Great Acclaim and Mudbir is the solution...
