Goodwood 1.50 - Unibet Handicap Class 2 - 2 Miles 4 Furlongs
A flag start with runners racing away from the Stands then left handed and downhill before going steeply across The Downs and then right handed all the way home. A unique race and a real test of the versatility of any horse and not surprisingly can be dominated by NH types and quality long distance Flat horses.
Lil Rockerfeller dominated last year, returns the best part of a stone worse off and one I am happy to take on. POLISH could be a dark horse to watch at this trip and is in the Tracker, one to follow closely after today and a small side stake might give you a lot of fun. The two that stand out to me a solid each way value and with nothing to prove in terms of the trip are DUBAWI FIFTY who has a solid and consistent record in races of this type and who returned to form last time after a year off. That may have revitalised the horse and if back anywhere near its normal level of form should be right in contention. FUN MAC from the Johnston yard is another very solid contender who arrives on a very nice handicap mark and as we saw with Ventura Knight yesterday, ignore recent form with these Johnston horses and look at the past form, as they are often prepared to the minute with specific races in mind.
Goodwood 5.55 - New and Lingwood Handicap Class 3 - 7 Furlongs
With a field now of 19 (1 non runner early) obviously a lot have chances in this competitive race. The draw is significant and the Going too after some damp stuff yesterday could just scupper the chances of a couple who would have been far more dangerous in the heat of last week. Charles Molson and Cliffs of Capri would probably have been the selections on Good to Firm, but on Good Going with a bit of cut I am less confident. If either were to win I'd have to take it on the chin as I had this pair laid out for the race this time last week.
Blackheath is a Tracker horse I will watch today with interest and a few coppers and I am left with 3 against the field that I cannot split so will list alphabetically. ALJADY is from the Fahey yard, very progressive until a poor run last time at York, there may be genuine excuses though as the horse returned without a shoe and that has to be taken in to account. DIRTY RASCAL drawn in 1 and a horse who could just be running back in to form at the right time should get a decent pitch on the far rail and one I think could be off a nice mark now once again and finally LYNDON B who travels very well in races from 6 furlongs to a mile, this trip looks ideal, has a bit of tactical speed at both ends of the race and assured stamina.
