Glorious Goodwood kicks off next Tuesday, but while the markets are still wide open, it is time to get some value on these three ante-post selections.
Published: 2.55pm, Tuesday 23rd July (Prices correct at time of publishing)
Wednesday, 1st August – Nassau Stakes – Laurel @ 14/1
There are reasons to try and find a price about one in the Nassau Stakes this year. The three-year-old fillies are yet to show their hand, but it might not be the strongest at this distance. Opera Singer is bred for this trip but she has been held in two Group 1s among her age group so far, while Bluestocking is likely to head elsewhere and Inspiral still looks best at 1m.
As a result, and with three of the last five Nassau winners being aged four or upwards, it may be worth chancing LAUREL. A stablemate of Inspiral’s who would also be stepping up in trip here, she was narrowly beaten at Group 1 level on just her third ever start, and has still raced just six times to this point as a five-year-old. That makes her less experienced from a racing perspective than Opera Singer and there is enough in her breeding to suggest she could get this trip. Her running on second in the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes also implied that and if the Classic generation are not up to it, she could be the one to capitalise.
Thursday, 2nd August – Golden Mile – Perotto @ 16/1
Not all horses win a race when they are due one, but PEROTTO almost certainly is, and this big-field event could be his opportunity. He was gone close on both runs this term and has a Goodwood victory to his name in the past to boot.
He returned after 312 days off the track when third in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last month. He was drawn favourably, but still went very close to making the most of it and proved it no fluke when third again at Sandown on soft ground which would not be his optimum. He was beaten less than a length by a potential Group 1 horse that day though and if conditions suit here, he is a livewire set to go very close again.
Friday, 3rd August – Stewards’ Cup – Aberama Gold @ 25/1
We might need a tiny bit of luck here as while the bottom weight in last year’s Stewards’ Cup was rated 89, ABERAMA GOLD is the 57th of 101 entries still standing for the race this time around. He is rated 90, 5lb lower than when winning in impressive fashion a year ago, and with there having been a repeat winner within the last five years, there is encouragement that it could happen again.
The seven-year-old has only won once since, but he has twice been placed this term, including at Newmarket in April off 7lb higher when third of 18. His two most recent triumphs, including in last year’s renewal of this contest, came on heavy, but has plenty enough form on quicker ground too. Whatever the weather, he may have had his campaign plotted for this, especially given his mark, and if he gets in, the price is too hefty to ignore.
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