Wednesday 31st July
By SP2A Analysis
Goodwood 5.20 Handicap - Class 3 - 7 furlongs - 18 run - Good to Firm (possibility of a rogue shower)
A typically competitive Goodwood Handicap.
Miss Information is a hot favourite at around 3/1, this 3 year old is the one to beat but off a 12lbs penalty is by no means an open goal and I will take the challenge on to find something better and at a juicy price.
Billyjoh is best at Ascot and a win there at the weekend may not be the ideal preparation for this although the yards horses are as tough as teak. Yorkshire is solid and consistent but not always the fastest trapper and may get stuck behind a wall of horses on the rail. Metaverse is improving at a rate of knots but this is another step up.
I have a top 4 who I am quietly confident in and to enhanced places here they are in preference order.
MUMS TIPPLE is well handicapped, the step up to 7 furlongs looks both overdue and a source of likely improvement, it will have the tactical 6 furlong speed to gain an early position and I'll be very disappointed if it's not bang in contention. CATCH THE PADDY is consistently inconsistent so comes with that caveta but best runs have invariably been on Good to Firm and on basis of hot and cold, he is due a hot one today. A nice draw in Stall 6 and the Yard go for first time blinkers, a tip in itself. STAR OF ORION would be higher up the list had it already had a run for new Trainer Eve Johnson-Houghton who is in cracking form, the Class horse of the race I think and can't be left out. If you want a 4th rated then it is clearly WOBWOBWOB, more of a 6 furlong specialist who gets 7 furlongs and one I think could give MUMS TIPPLE a lovely lead up the far rail.
(Northern)
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GALWAY 7.10 - Galway Plate Handicap Chase - 2 miles 6 and 1/2 furlongs - 22 run - Good
I ended up with a short list of 6 here, will go with 4 and explain why I discarded 5th and 6th.
Before that quick mentions for In Excelcis Deo for Harry Fry, Toss Again and Lets Go Champ for a mob handed Henry De Bromhead, Chemical Energy, almost a forgotten horse for Gordon Elliott and if you wanted a £1 e/w on another Mullins 50/1 shot, then have a look at Janidil @ 50/1, highly tried and who finally after 2 years gets what I think is his best trip and optimum chance therefore!
My 5th and 6th rated were last years 1-2 in Ash Tree Meadow who runs off a mark 15lbs higher, due to good form it must be said and for whom the sensational apprentice of the season Alex Harvey (you might get that pun if of a certain age); claims a very handy 7lbs and Authorized Art, who again gets a fair bit more weight than last year. I expect both to run into enhanced places to be honest and not lightly discounted. Both around 14/1 and would be great reserves if any of the top 4 rated are non runners.
My top 4 though are PERCIVAL LEGALLOIS, the warm favourite but an each way price who really is the one I think they all have to beat. ZANAHIYR who I think could be this years (Ash Tree Meadow) for Elliott, a progressive Novice Chaser well ahead potentially of the handicapper. Then two slightly more exposed types both dropped slightly in trip who I really think could outrun their Odds. TULLYBEG is actually one of the most consistent Chasers around and I think the slight drop down from 3 miles could be inspired, LIFE IN THE PARK may be the 3rd / 4th best rated on form of the De Bromhead horde but again runs off a nice mark and I think that 300 yards less could really see a massive run. (MG)
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GOODWOOD 3.00 - Molecomb Stakes - Class 1 - 5 furlongs - 2 year olds
I am very keen on a couple here at backable each way prices and I think both ideally drawn middle to high
SOLDIER'S HEART has got some key Course and Distance winning form already and that will be a big advantage, this speedy type looks scopey and I think we can see further improvement again here.
VINGEGAARD ran an absolute cracker in the big Sprint at Newbury and the more I've watched it back the better I think it looks as the horse ran from the front all the way. I think it will have more company here and won't have the target on its back from so far out and I'll be very disappointed if it's not in the 1-2-3.
(Caro)
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SEAN - Galway 5.25 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 6 and 1/2 furlongs....
Whilst looking at this race with a view to a full analysis tip race, I drew 2 strong conclusions.
Firstly the view that PAGGANE will take all the beating for the Mullins team and that in general the top 3-4 look very solid.
However there is a 50-66/1 poke in here who is well worth an early small each way investment.
MACGILONEY is very exposed on form lines but is a massive price when you look at it's best form which is on this sort of ground in a big field where he can sit prominently just with the fast pace. I will actually be quite disappointed if he's not in the first 6 home and a very frustrated tipster if that happens and I didn't point it out. (Sean)
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