Friday 2nd August
By SP2A Analysis
GOODWOOD 1.50 - Handicap - Class 2 - 2 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 19 run - Good to Firm
A unique race, started with a flag, and that can give an advantage to anything sharp and smart enough to get an early position. They then run back down the home straight, left and right handed round the 2 outer Course loops across the top of the Sussex Downs, before reappearing back on to the straight Sprint track around 2 miles later.
Temporize and Kyle of Lochalsh who have Course and Distance form are at the top of the market understandably and reoppose, on this occasion, although obvious tips, I do think there is better e/w value and better handicapped options to consider. A crafty reverse F/Cast on those 2 might float some boats and they constitute leg one of the Placepot Perm.
Master Milliner won this in 2022 but then had a near 2 year lay off and 2 runs back have not really shown us much, runner up the same year was Super Superjack who had a similar injury break and he too has to prove conclusively that the old form is there. They are dangers together with Vino Vitrix who would have welcomed some significant rain more than most. Robert Johnson, runner up last year but who has recently switched yards and Get Shirty who showed interesting form upped in trip last time are a pair of Northern trained contenders who should give it their all and get involved too. The same applies to the veteran The Grand Visr.
I'm taking a bit of a speculative approach to this race though as I have more than a hunch that the ground out the back could be quite tricky and slippery due to the excessive heat and I don't envisage a great early pace, that brings a few in to it who may not appreciate an out and out gallop.
In preference order, I think that TENERIFE SUNSHINE a Course winner at 2 miles and who has suggested this trip is in range and who gets the very capable assistance of James Doyle could be one to really arrive late on the scene if it turns into a burn up over the final 1/2 mile. TRONODOR was 3rd in this last year when with Gordon Elliott, he moved to Olly Murphy and De Souza is another who is very adept at reading the pace and delivering a horse at just the right time with a withering run. Finally another upped in trip is SINGLE another 2 miler upped in trip and one who loves genuine rattling Good to Firm, if he can hunt round for most of this trip off the bridle and swing in to the straight in any sort of contention he is one you can be sure who won't be scared to really hear his feet rattle off the firm ground and also finish relatively fast after the marathon trip. (TA)
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GALWAY 6.00 The Blazers Handicap Chase - 2 miles 6 and 1/2 furlongs - 19 run - Yielding (Showers should ensure it stays just soft side of Good)
The British arrive mob handed here, well to be totally accurate , The Welsh arrive mob handed with Francky Du Berlais and Statuario from the Bowen yard and Cap Du Nord from the Christian Williams yard. My good friend and colleague Robin (who is recovering very well now from his cataract operation but having to keep out of the intense sunshine, is quite bullish that they can beat the home contingent but I believe i have a few well handicapped aces up my sleeve!
Moonovercloon, Sphagnum and Hanscoeur Clermont will take the fight to the Welsh but I'm not sure the first two names are quite up to this level yet and Hanscoeur Clermont would ideally want genuinely soft going and would be a real danger IF getting it.! Arrycan and Mr Saxobeat are dark horses who could take a hand and outrun their odds and I didn;t discount either lightly.
I keep coming back to a few old favourites though who I think are exceptionally well handicapped and a more progressive one who can make a step forward here I feel.
FRONTAL ASSAULT is one who I am convinced has a race win in him off this sort of mark. The drop in trip could be the key that unlocks the return to form. MARS HARPER has been in my Tracker for this for a while and despite top weight is actually very well handicapped i feel and has Course and Distance winning form. PAIDIS PASSION is a potential improver that I like a lot and I think the rising mark should not deter us from having an investment. With enhanced places and reserves, the final one I definitely think worth a small investment if you want a fourth option is ONTHEROPES , Willie Mullins can produce one at a big price here as we've seen already and again a well handicapped disappointing horse, dropped in trip and first time blinkers really caught my eye! (MG)
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GALWAY 8.40 Handicap (Flat) 1 mile 6 furlongs - 17 run - Yielding
Mr Percy is the obvious favourite, thrown into a handicap off what could be a very nice mark but at the price and with a big field, happy to take him on here!.
Toll Stone with the champion jockey up is also strongly fancied but upped in trip again, I'll adopt a contrarian attitude and take it on. I think this trip stretches the consistent Not Just Any Eagle. A pair at very big odds not to be ignored are Dark Oak @ 33/1 who has suggested on a few runs that this might be the ideal trip and Heffernan rides with Cheek-Pieces on and might be worth a side stake of a quid each way as might Wrecking Ball Paul @ 25/1 , this one is a kamikaze ride, it's got the ideal draw to fly out, go miles clear and probably fade up the hill, but it's slipped a field more than once and we don't want to be crying over spilt milk!
NARLITA was an eye catcher over two miles two days ago and MUST be backed with a run here. (If he doesn't run you get your money back but if he does I'm confident of another bold run).
RAIN is knocking at the door and has a nice draw, will need a fast pace but very likely to get it, LUMINOUS LIGHT was third in this race last year when drawn in Stall 2, Stall 17 is trickier but off 2lbs lighter he looks primed again. (If NARLITA does not run then Magnetic North @ 16/1 would be my reserve pick).
(Sean)