Tuesday 1st August 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to my previews for this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival which is set to take place from Tuesday all the way through to Saturday. I’ll be giving my opinions throughout the full week, so as ever, if you are having a punt make sure to do it in a responsible manner.
2.50: Chesterfield Cup: I kick things off with a hugely competitive handicap in the form of the Chesterfield Cup over a mile and two furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Moktasaab in this who at the time of writing is currently trading at a best price of 12/1 for the team of William Knight and Hayley Turner. He arrives here not in the most prolific of form, however, he’s now dropped down to mark that is below the one in which he won off over course and distance here. He has shown some life as well this term, most notably at York in May when just over a length behind the winner in what was another competitive handicap, if getting some luck here I think he’s got every chance of going well at a track in which he’s already proven he can handle. Moktasaab – 12/1 (Each-Way)
3.25: Lennox Stakes: The first Group race of the week is the Group 2 Lennox Stakes which is ridden over seven furlongs. I’m siding with Haatem here who’s the current second favourite in the betting at 4/1. He’s one of the most exposed in the line-up, however, he brings a lot of very solid form into the race, on his most recent outing he finished second in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket after finishing fifth of twenty in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, just under three-lengths behind River Tiber. He certainly sets a fairly high standard for them to get to and if running to the same level as he has done the last twice he’s a big player. Haatem – 4/1 (Win)
4.00 Lennox Stakes: The Lennox Stakes is Group 2 action over seven furlongs and I’m keeping it simple in this particular affair as I think this can go to Kinross who currently heads the betting for the team of Frankie Dettori and Ralph Beckett. He’s one of, if not, the best in the business over seven furlongs as he showcased when winning this race in 2021 and was only narrowly denied by a neck in it last year. He finished third of eight on his most recent outing in the July Cup at Newmarket last month, which was another fine effort but a return to seven furlongs should really see him come into his own. If he’s anywhere near his best he’ll prove very tough to beat. Kinross – 6/4 (Win) (NAP)
4.35 Goodwood Cup: I’m siding with Coltrane in the feature race of the day which is the Goodwood Cup and comes up at 4:35. He’s got to reverse the Royal Ascot form with Courage Mon Ami, but if there’s any horse up for that challenge it’s the Andrew Balding charge. After being headed last time by the eventual winner he rallied well but was unable to get back up and eventually went down by three-quarters of a length, and I don’t think that’s too much of a gap to bridge. He’s much more experienced and has some fine form in his locker which will be another massive positive in his favour in a top-level competitive contest at what can be a very challenging track. Oisin Murphy is on board again and he’s the pick for me. Coltrane – 3/1 (Win)
