Friday 30th July 2021

Glorious Goodwood 2021

Author: Jordan Yates

“I’ll kick things off with a bit of a summary of the week so far. Day 1 of Goodwood wasn’t a total disaster, Migration was marked up as a key player and did the business and Sir Ron Priestley placed in the Goodwood Cup. Moving onto Day 2 and this was a good day. Nagano kicked things off winning at 4/1, and there were placed efforts from Highfield Princess, who was about 10/1 when the blog went out as well as Boonie who was a similar price and Snow Lantern also hit the frame in the big one. Day 3 was more of a quiet one as we were unable to really land a blow, Third Realm being the closest with his third placed effort in the Gordon Stakes.

As for Galway on the Facebook Story, well what an absolute shambles that has been so far. Ironically I was looking forward to that more from a punting perspective, I can remember having about 4 winners on one of the days there the other year. Nothing of the sort this time around. Couple of placed efforts on Day 4 is as good as it’s got. It’s far from over yet though, and a strong finish is still on the cards!

As ever, I really appreciate you checking out my work. Cheers!”

Jordan

As has been the case all week we kick things off with a Class 2 Handicap at 1:50, this time over a marathon trip of two miles and four and a half furlongs. This is another race that is a massive lottery, so I’d probably pick your favourite colour or one that has a name you like, however, if you’re looking for some insight I’ve come down on two picks. The first of these is Just Hubert for the Muir and Grassick yard. Currently trading at around 8/1 he won this race last year off a one pound higher mark after following the same path to the race as he has this time around. He’s not been in form lately, which is an obvious negative but back down to this mark and at this track, he could well bounce back to form. The other is another seemingly well handicapped horse, this time in the form of Smart Champion for David Simcock and Saffie Osbourne. This six-year-old gelding was a close third in this race last year off a six pound higher mark, added with Saffie’s allowance he should find himself running off a mark well within his sights here. Ideally, he’d like drying ground.

Next up is the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at 2:25, a Group 3 event over a mile. This is all about the William Haggas trained Baeed who’s the mount of Jim Crowley, the three-year-old colt by Sea The Stars has demolished all of his rivals to date, including some decent opposition the last day within Listed company at Newmarket. He’s a short price here and rightfully so, if we get rain though his participation could be in serious doubt. Should he run and eight runners stand and you’re looking for one to take him on with, then Rhythm Master could well be the each-way play, he was keeping on when fourth behind Creative Force at Royal Ascot and could have more to say over this distance.

Moving onto the 3:00 which is another fiercely competitive affair, this time in the form of the Golden Mile Handicap. As I have in so many of these big fields this week I’ve punted two here with the first being Rhoscolyn for David O’Meara and champion jockey Oisin Murphy. He’s progressed considerably this term since joining this yard and was last seen just five days ago when finishing second within Listed company at Pontefract. He also has course form having won here back in May and I think he has every chance of continuing his progression here. My second dart is the Mark Johnston runner Maydanny, he was scratched earlier in the week with the ground deemed unsuitable but connections seemingly think that better going will be had here. He’s a course and distance winner that’s three pounds lower than his run the last day where he finished just under a length behind Magical Morning, which would put him in the reckoning.

The feature of the day once again comes at 3:35 and it’s the Group 2 King George Stakes over five furlongs. I’m keeping this one simple and siding with the multiple winner and reigning champion Battaash. I actually tipped Oxted against him at Royal Ascot, however, if he was Rafael Nadal this track and race would be his Roland Garros. He absolutely loves it here, and has won on ground varying from Good to Firm to Soft and if he’s anywhere near his best he should once again prove too good. His obvious main danger is Dragon Symbol for Archie Watson and Oisin Murphy, he’s a horse that’s proved a revelation this term and warrants major respect.

I’m taking a look at the 4:10 as well today which is the Group 3 Glorious Stakes over a mile and four furlongs. I think we could see a return to form for Mogul here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He’s a multiple Group 1 winner but has looked pretty dreadful at the top level so far this season, he didn’t beat a single rival home at Epsom when last seen and was beaten 40 lengths, but despite all that this is a considerable drop in grade for him. If anywhere near his best he should be putting this lot away pretty comfortably. You’d have to say is main danger is the in-form Godolphin runner Passion And Glory.