There is a terrific card at Goodwood this afternoon including the listed Height Of Fashion Stakes a recognised Oaks trial won by Ed Dunlop's wonderful mare Snow Fairy back in 2010 before she went on to classic glory at Epsom.
On official figures this looks an excellent opportunity for Jellicle Ball to get her season back on track having disappointed in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket at the beginning of the month. She only beat one home at HQ and it was later reported that she didn't handle the fast ground. Conditions will be ideal this afternoon and the step up in trip will suit but at a bigger price I am going to take a chance with Lady Of Dubai (4.25) currently 50/1 for the Oaks at BetVictor on her seasonal reappearance for Luca Cumani.
The selection is a daughter of Dubawi and was last seen finishing runner up over a mile in the listed Montrose Stakes on good to soft ground back in November. The winner (Irish Rookie) has franked the form in no uncertain terms finishing second in the French Guineas a week after an excellent run in sixth in the Newmarket fillies' classic. Adam Kirby takes the mount and there is every chance on breeding this 10f trip will be her optimum trip.
There is a fascinating 10f Fillies' maiden to follow with one of the best names in training; the dam of the once-raced promising Speedy Boarding is called Dash To The Front but I cannot “desert” Sahara (5.00) who looked to be crying out for a step up min trip with a running on fourth on her seasonal debut at Nottingham earlier in the month. This looks a most interesting maiden and I would be very surprised if the race didn't throw up a number of winners going forward.
God Willing (2.40) should appreciate dropping back in trip from a mile in the seven furlong handicap for Ed Dunlop; the selection has often flattered to deceive over a mile and nine furlongs and it should be worth noting that his sole win came over this trip on debut as a juvenile. He is well drawn in stall three and I hope Andrea Atzeni rides him prominently as he wouldn't want the race to develop into a three furlong dash.
At Sandown Kassia (5.50) was beaten on debut in a hot Ascot maiden that often throws up plenty of winners. Reports suggested she was Mick Channon's best juvenile filly and she can go one better in the opener with that experience under her belt. One of the newcomers would have to be pretty smart to lower her colours and she has little to worry about from those with racecourse experience.
Yorkidding (7.00) was the last leg of Mark Johnston's York four-timer on Friday and is taken to follow up under a 6lbs penalty stepping up in trip from 12 to 14 furlongs. The selection was certainly not stopping on the Knavesmire and this well bred filly can follow up despite that slight concern with regard to the trip.
At Nottingham this evening Shahdaroba (7.45) made a pleasing reappearance over 7f at Redcar on his first start for David O'Meara and won over today's C&D for his previous yard from a 3lbs higher mark back in July. Artful Prince always runs well at Colwick Park and is a big danger in a tight little handicap but the hope is that O'Meara can eek out a bit of improvement from the joint top-weight.
At Wetherby Hotgrove Boy (3.05) has a big pull in the weights with Robin's Command on their running at Perth and Sedgefield last year and the selection looks to be getting his act together over fences and gets on well with James Reveley. He might have been fortunate to beat Gin Cobbler on his penultimate start back in March but he is taken to confirm the form given that was his first run in nine months.
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