Goodwood Thursday - Can We Have More Sunshine Please

Just a little something extra for Glorious Goodwood this week – it’s a tough old meeting and always has been!

Thursday

Goodwood 1.20pm

Goodwood day three and its been tougher than normal so far this year (and that’s saying something), but I am still sweet enough on the chances of French raider Best Secret ahead of the opener at 1.20pm, a one mile one and a half furlong handicap with good ground expected. The son of Persian King won a Longchamp handicap for his previous owner before being sold on to Wathnan Racing before Royal Ascot, after which he was targeted at the Golden Gates Stakes over a mile and a quarter. Sent off a 4/1 chance that day, he was ridden form way off the pace that day before having to be switched to find nay racing room, and did well in the circumstances to be beaten a length at the line back in third. Racing off a mark of 95 that day, the winner has been put up 7lb, the runner-up 6lb, and the fourth 1lb, yet my suggestion has not been put up an ounce. I am sure the official handicappers have more data at their disposal than I do, but that seem very strange to me, and if James Doyle can steer a better path late on here, then he has the potential to be well handicapped this afternoon.

Goodwood 2.30pm

It seems a strange day and if one of my “spots” wins we will walk away with a small profit. The William Haggas trained Merchant is a short price for the Gordon Stakes at 2.30pm (5/4 as I write) after wins at York and Ascot, and he may well win hard held, but I cannot see that as any value. My each way money (first and second only sadly) will be on the Ralph Beckett trained Sir Dinadan. One win from six starts hardly inspires at first glance, but his latest run certainly catches the eye when he was beaten three and a half lengths in the Irish Derby at the Curragh. He did get into a battle with Lambourn that day which may explain why he ran out of steam late on, but dropped into Group Two company against lesser opposition here he could be the surprise package.  

Goodwood 3.05pm

Racing folk who need betting money to keep the sport afloat need to find a way to get rid of small field contests. Despite a first prize of £340,260 and Group One status the Nassau Stakes has only attracted a miserly five runners and I am sorry, but questions need to be asked. If we find the winner I won’t care quite as much, and with Ryan Moore picking Whirl over Bedtime Story, she will do for me representing the Aidan O’Brien/Coolmore team. Officially rated 2lb inferior to the older See The Fire, she gets 9lb from that rival and arrives on the back of a win in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh which followed a neck second in the English Oaks. As she clearly stays further a fast run race would suit her ideally over this trip, but she battled back well to win last time out and if another horse tries to eyeball her up the straight, they seem likely to come out second best.