The trainer to follow in the first two races at Goodwood may be Richard Hannon.
Whilst the Richmond Stakes is competitive numerically, it is very easy to eliminate almost half of them, and Coventry Stakes runner-up THREAT should not find himself in the wrong group today (Guildsman third, Golden Horde fifth). The Ballydoyle first string, King Neptune was behind Guildsman in the July Stakes but that looks suspect form with the runner-up and the beaten odds-on favourite trounced in the Vintage Stakes.
We know that Mark Johnston likes a winner at Goodwood, so I am expecting that Victory Command may be sent to make all in the opener by Franny Norton, although I think the handicapper has him now. Irish raider Wargrave may contest that lead, so this could be run at a pace. Forest Of Dean has not run since finishing behind Sinjaari, and the Haggas first string drops back in trip after a poor effort at Royal Ascot. The Haggas second string Dalaalaat gets weight from everyone but steps up two furlongs after winning an ordinary Chelmsford heat. WALKINTHESAND finally got back in the winner’s enclosure last time (Korcho second) and has the class to win this giving weight all round – if Moore can finally get one right!
The Nassau looks a lot more open than the betting would suggest but Ballydoyle favourites are never generously priced and Hermosa may be a tough nut to crack as the only one of the elders with a good chance is Rawdaa, whose Royal Ascot second was subsequently boosted by Veracious and I Can Fly but let down by winner Move Swiftly. It is very easy to crab the Prix de Diane winner Channel as a blanket could have covered the first six and she has never raced on anything but easy ground. Frankie has deserted Rawdaa to ride Mehdaayih, strongly fancied when well behind her stablemate in the Oaks and winner of an ordinary Group 2 in France last time. MAQSAD clearly did not handle the camber or stay in the Oaks, drops back to ten furlongs here and the obvious negative is Crowley – rarely wins for me!
