It’s Celebration Mile day at Goodwood on Saturday.
In the feature race we may see another one of those ‘coming of age’ performances, this time from Mutasaabeq who has strong form and who has long since threatened to challenge in Group 1 company. Don’t be surprised if he ends up at that level in the autumn.
There are also two big Melbourne Cup candidates running on Saturday for those interested. Hoo Ya Mal is vulnerable at long odds-on at Goodwood, while Duais runs in Australia early in the morning.
We aren’t betting in these races, or in the fascinating Beverley Bullet, though we do still have a busy punting weekend beginning at Goodwood on Friday.
Friday 26th August 2022
6.10 Goodwood (Handicap) – OUR JESTER
After five wins on the bounce Mostly Cloudy will be well backed, though he was beaten last time albeit in the Lonsdale Cup at York.
Despite the ability shown by the likely favourite, he may have been just about caught and tagged by the handicapper so he is vulnerable to something that has been undervalued.
One such type is Our Jester and he is the suggestion. His top trainer Hughie Morrison is in great form and, based especially on his spring form, he is particularly well in at the weights if putting it all together.
6.53 Hamilton (Lanark Silver Bell – Heritage Handicap) – CORMIER
Previously a Class 3 having been reborn once already, the Lanark Silver Bell is now a £100,000 heritage handicap and should be given far more attention.
We are interested, as there is definitely a betting opportunity here which comes in the shape of Cormier.
Hamilton, the stiff track, the ground and the trip should all bring about the best in Brian Ellison’s horse, which should also be a career best given the way he’s been improving on the Flat having run well over hurdles during the last jumps season.
Based on several factors it seems Cormier is likely to be a 95 horse, making him better handicapped than even the four-year-olds in this race and he’s good value too.
Haveyoumissedme, Southern Voyage and Forza Orta are all of interest, while Strawberri and Pride Of Priory will attract attention in the betting market.
Saturday 27th August 2022
1.50 Goodwood (Prestige Stakes – Group 3) – FAIRY CROSS
Bright Diamond, Fairy Cross, Mottisfont and Queen Olly are the main protagonists in this juvenile fillies’ Group race over seven furlongs.
Fairy Cross is the safest choice, not that we’re forced to have a bet, but we know she has definite ability and some experience to go along with it.
She is a fair price, in fact the favourites may even flip-flop by race time as the money continues to come in for Bright Diamond.
Karl Burke’s horse is interesting after an excellent debut, but Fairy Cross is improving, is still learning having raced freely and is in both the Rockfel and the Fillies’ Mile later in the season.
2.10 Newmarket (Handicap) – ROACH POWER
This is a tight three-year-old handicap over seven furlongs, one in which Wowzers, Spinaround, Space Tracker and Chola Empire can all be considered to have similar chances at the weights.
Roach Power on the other hand may just have that x-factor. He gained a belated first win over an unsuitable five furlongs last time out, he is now very fit, and Tim Easterby never wastes a trip south! Hollie Doyle rides.
3.15 Newmarket (Hopeful Stakes – Listed Race) – DANEH
This is not a particularly strong bunch for a Listed race at Newmarket, which is why there is a betting opportunity.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s Daneh, off for almost a year to the day, was very impressive on debut as a two-year-old, kept good company in three races and was very much heading the right way.
She could just outclass this field if being fully ready first time up with a weight allowance, given that Manaccan, Great Ambassador and Summerghand for example are no great shakes in truth.
3.50 Newmarket (Handicap) – NAHANNI
Charlie Appleby’s Nahanni made great strides between January when he made his debut and June when he contested the Derby.
Much more was expected of him than he gave in the Derby, though that happens, and he has been gelded now.
Although he won the Blue Riband Trial afterwards, Nahanni was most impressive when winning at Leicester on April 1 on softer ground in a race that has worked out very well, one he won very easily too.
He is a classy type who can prove to be very well handicapped now and who will no doubt go back into Group company soon, this 1¾ miles also looking ideal. Derby rider Adam Kirby takes the mount.
Liverpool Knight is interesting, as is Soapy Stevens in what is a tight enough race in behind the selection.
6.05 Windsor (August Stakes – Listed Race) – MAKSUD
There are some very familiar names in the 1m3½f August Stakes, not least Desert Encounter, but the one that ticks the most boxes is Maksud.
One of three 3yo’s in the race he is going the right way, has the right attributes, has a trainer in form (Hughie Morrison) who we’ve mentioned already and has a top jockey on board in Tom Marquand, though he is certainly here to ride Grocer Jack for William Haggas.
9.32 Saratoga (Personal Ensign Stakes – Grade 1) – MALATHAAT
Malathaat has been a star in the States for the Shadwell team, winning last year’s Kentucky Oaks and Alabama Stakes at the top level.
She has had to settle for second place twice this season behind Clairiere, who is likely to be a short-priced favourite in this contest.
The first time in the Ogden Phipps Stakes Malathaat gave her rival 2lbs and was beaten a head, and the second time jockey John Velazquez had to lean down mid-race to adjust a stirrup before coming home 1½ lengths behind.
She is most likely the better filly on balance and has more Grade 1 glory in her. Search Results and Letruska were also considered.
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