Thursday 29 July 2021

Friday 30th & Saturday 31st July 2021: Sayyida’s Cup Runneth Over in Chalice Stakes

It’s Stewards’ Cup Day on Saturday as Glorious Goodwood comes to a close, while brilliant three-year-old Essential Quality warms up for the Travers Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic over at Saratoga.

Betting-wise however, this bunch of beauties racing on Friday and Saturday provide us with the best value over the weekend.

Friday 30th July 2021

3.00 Goodwood (Golden Mile Handicap) – PATH OF THUNDER

This is a typically competitive Golden Mile, but it’s one in which Charlie Appleby’s Path Of Thunder can prove to be particularly well handicapped.

An easy winner last time at Newmarket ahead of some classy types, he’s been bumped up 8lbs but that still does not represent accurately his true ability and he can add this race to his CV. Johan and Magical Morning are best of the rest.

3.35 Goodwood (King George Stakes – Group 2) – BATTAASH

In a normal year, the Bat Mobile would have been odds-on for this race. As it is his price is drifting, but as long as he puts in even his B-game he can take care of this field.

His run in the King’s Stand at Ascot after injury, all things considered, was very good and he is now at full match fitness. Goodwood is Battaash’s favourite track and he should have too much pace here.

The likes of Dragon Symbol and Suesa (if the ground isn’t too quick for them by Friday afternoon, as well as Art Power and Glass Slippers are all decent but not up to the level of Charlie Hills’ brilliant seven-year-old who looks to win this for the fifth year in a row.

4.10 Goodwood (Glorious Stakes – Group 3) – MOGUL

We’ve seen precious little this week of the very biggest names in the training ranks however this race could go the way of the Aidan O’Brien team.

Mogul hasn’t won yet this season, but conditions are coming right for him now and a look back at his form suggests he can begin to peak for the season around this time.

He’s won over the course and distance before and can take care of Euchen Glen and Passion And Glory.

Saturday 31st July 2021 

1.20 Goodwood (Handicap) – QUINTILLUS

I was very sweet on this horse at a huge price in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race in which he ran a blinder to finish a one-length third to Perotto.

The return to seven furlongs is a plus, he is improving all the time and might just have a few pounds in hand at these weights on Spirit Of Bermuda, the main danger, as well as Master Zoffany.

2.30 Goodwood (Summer Handicap) – MY FRANKEL

It’s been a relatively quiet season for Sir Michael Stoute thus far, but he can pull off his familiar ‘improving four-year-old’ trick over this mile and six furlongs with My Frankel.

He looked likely to appreciate this trip as far back as last August when winning easily over a mile-and-a-half at Kempton, while since then he has also beaten Taqareer who is also set to run well this weekend (see below).

Last time out he was beaten only 3¼ lengths in the Old Newton Cup after racing wide, he’ll appreciate this ground and can now win a big handicap of his own.

Prince Alex is interesting, while Aaddeey remains a danger in races of this nature.

2.45 Newmarket (Chalice Stakes – Listed Race) – SAYYIDA

I really wish, given the quality of the horses involved and how important they are to the stud book, that these Listed races were more valuable.

The prize money may not be great then, but this is a competitive mile-and-a-half fillies’ event with nothing much to separate Chiasma, Invite, Portfolio, Save A Forest and Yesyes on my book.

The one who looks as though she is just a level above them however is Sayyida. The Godolphin filly was an easy course and distance winner last time out, her second win in a row, and she can now hit triple digits in terms of her official rating.

3.20 Newmarket (Handicap) – TAQAREER

Frankie Dettori’s main reason for staying at Newmarket instead of going to Goodwood, arguably, is this horse of John and Thady Gosden’s.

A progressive type despite one win in 8, he’s been beaten no more than 2¼ lengths this season by Valyrian Steel, My Frankel and Boss Power (also in the Summer Handicap for Stoute).

His current handicap mark underestimates him, he’ll get the best handling from up top and he can prove to be the best of this bunch ahead of Strawberry Rock.

3.55 Newmarket (Handicap) – MODERN NEWS

In this decent seven furlong, three-year-old handicap you can afford to pay little attention to Great News being given the Godolphin first colours.

So often the Saeed bin Suroor runners are afforded that honour, but Charlie Appleby’s Modern News is the one with the most talent for certain.

A Shamardal colt out of a New Approach mare, Modern News was one of even this powerhouse ownership’s better-bred juveniles of last season and he did win a very strong Newmarket maiden race first time out.

He was unsuited by the ground when only 4/1 for the Chesham Stakes won by Battleground, before not liking the track when running second to Twaasol over six furlongs at Epsom, that horse reopposing here.

He’s been off the turf since then, for the last 392 days in fact, but is ready to go now and on a line through various horses he’s raced against should be capable of running to a mark some 7-10lbs better than his official rating.

4.30 Newmarket (Handicap) – RANCHERO 

Despite weight allowances being there for a reason, Ranchero getting a stone from Anythingtoday in this race gives him a huge chance.

Second to Ransom on debut before filling the same spot at Newcastle, the Gosden/Godolphin colt got his head in front last time at Nottingham where he beat Kolisi cosily off level weights, a horse now rated 87.

This chap gets in off only 80 and there is a ton of improvement in him yet meaning defeat here would no doubt be a massive disappointment to all involved.

No comments:

Post a Comment