Tuesday beckons the beginning of a fabulous week of racing at Glorious Goodwood. With Group 1 and big-field handicap action from the very start, it promises to be a treat for racing fans and punters. Joe Napier has looked at the opening day card to give his four best bets throughout the day.
1.55 Goodwood – Coral Vintage Stakes (Group 2)
The step up to 7f may well suit a few who have yet to run over the distance, with Andab especially notable in that respect. The fact he gave the much heralded Albert Einstein a race back in Ireland could speak volumes, while his fourth in the Coventry at Ascot was a decent effort down the stands rail.
Joseph O’Brien’s charge may still have to give best to another of Aidan’s Ballydoyle battalions though as DORSET holds two significant pieces of form already. For one, he was within half-a-length of beating an odds-on stablemate on debut, when making significant progress late on, while he subsequently stepped forward to win second time out from another O’Brien inmate in Benvenuto Cellini.
That form has worked out, with the runner-up easily getting off the mark next time out at Killarney. Dorset could easily prove the latest Wootton Bassett colt to take all before him for Ballydoyle on that evidence and he should also prove tactically versatile.
3.45 Goodwood – Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap
There is no shortage of possibilities in this 5f handicap, but it might be that ENCHANTING is available at too big a price given that she blew out in Listed company at Ayr last time out when almost certainly failing to give her true running. She raced far too keenly on that step up in class, ultimately setting up the race for a 50/1 outsider to win from the rear.
She is likely far better judged on what is an excellent course and distance record, which now reads 12511. On two of those occasions she raced docilely enough to win from the front, but on her comeback in May, off a career high mark of 89, Hollie Doyle guided her from the back of the field to win as she likes by almost four lengths.
That form is working out okay, so there is reason to believe it can be backed up under her ideal conditions. An 11lb rise is sharp, but that performance merited it.
4.55 Goodwood – Ridgeview Fillies’ Handicap
Dash Of Azure and Zgharta are very well-matched on Royal Ascot form and it is difficult to split that pair, who deservedly share prominence in the betting. However, from cooler climes, MAHRA’S LOVE could be on the upgrade enough to beat them both, as well as her remaining ten rivals.
William Haggas has won this twice since 2018 and his daughter of Dark Angel could easily be improving at a rate of knots. Despite defeats in maiden and novice company, as well as on her handicap debut over 7f at this track, she has begun to fulfil her promise, winning at Kempton, then making all at York earlier this month.
Combined, those two wins have seen her go up 10lb in the handicap, but that looks a sustainable rise given she appeared to have plenty in hand on the Knavesmire. A mark of 80 could easily underestimate her by a fair amount just yet.
5.25 Goodwood – World Pool Bet With The Tote EBF Fillies’ Handicap
The only horse older than five in this line-up, preference is for the mare UNDER THE TWILIGHT, who still gives her running aged seven and who has been consistently given a chance by the handicapper in the past 12 months.
Despite once hitting the frame and regularly finishing in the top half in sizeable enough fields, Michael Blake’s charge had fallen to a mark 13lb below her 2024 equivalent when lining up at Windsor at the end of June. She proved that treatment to be overly lenient, impressively winning from the rear up the centre of the track, which is rarely beneficial at Windsor.
Different trips and surfaces had been trialled during her tumble down the weights, but it is possible that she could still be well-treated after going back up 5lb for that latest success. A sounder surface generally suits and Rossa Ryan retains the partnership.
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