Wednesday 2nd 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.
1.50: Coral Handicap: It’s competitive handicap action that kicks things off on Day 2 in the form of the Coral Handicap over a mile and four furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Struth in this for the team of Charlie Johnston and Joe Fanning. He comes into the race having been in pretty consistent form this season having won his first outing of the term at Chester and being placed in several other contents, most recently at Ascot in another competitive handicap handicap last month. He’s finished third the last twice and will contest this affair off the same mark, the yard have had a fine record at this meeting over the years in big handicaps, and I think this is another runner who gives them a solid chance. Struth – 7/1 (Each-Way)
2.25: Oak Tree Stakes: The Oak Stree Stakes is a Group 3 affair that’s ridden over seven furlongs and this is another extremely competitive contest. I’ve come down on Jumbly though who’s currently an 11/2 chance and is an Irish raider for Joseph O’Brien and the mount of Ryan Moore. He’s back down in trip here having last been seen finishing fourth over a mile at Royal Ascot in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, where he was three lengths behind the winner which was Rogue Millenium. I think that the drop-down in trip is a smart decision considering that he travelled well last time before fading out, and he also has form over this distance having won twice. He’s a very smart animal on his day and if turning up in his best form he’s got every chance. Jumbly – 11/2 (Each-Way)
3.00: Molecamb Stakes: It’s more Group 3 action now in the form of the Molecamb Stakes over five furlongs and I think this year’s renewal of the race can go to Kylian who represents the Karl Burke stable and is the mount of Ryan Moore. He’s always been a horse who’s been highly regarded and started to live up to his reputation when bolting up at Sandown on his most recent start in the Listed Dragon Stakes. He won by a very impressive six lengths that day and gave the impression that he could well be right out of the top drawer, I don’t think that there is that much depth in against him here and if he progresses again he’s got to be considered as a huge player. Kylian – 15/8 (Win)
3.35 Sussex Stakes: The feature race of the day comes up at 3.35 and this is the Group 1 Sussex Stakes which is contested over the mile. The race has seen some of the greats taste success in it and last year it was one by another outstanding beast in Baaeed and I think we’ve got another star who can win this year’s renewal in Paddington for Aidan O’Brien. He’s taken all before him so far this term, winning the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot before beating his elders in the Eclipse at Sandown most recently. If he turns up in the same kind of form here it would be a considerable shock if he was to get beat, I think he’s a superstar in the making and should win this. Paddington – 1/2 (Win)
