By Charlie McCann
The feature of the first day of Glorious Goodwood is the Group 2 Lennox Stakes a race that has been won five times by the classic generation in the last seven years. Richard Hannon Snr saddled the winner with 3-year-olds twice during the period and the stable are taken to score courtesy of Toormore (3.05) who has disappointed both starts since making a winning reappearance in the Craven Stakes with subsequent classic winner The Grey Gatsby (received 3lbs) behind in second.
The selection pulled too hard when disappointing behind the brilliant Kingman at Royal Ascot last time and it will be interesting to see if jockey Richard Hughes allows the colt to bowl along if nothing else wants to make the running. A winner of the Vintage Stakes over C&D as a juvenile when unbeaten this looks an ideal opportunity to get his career back on track with German raider Amarillo suggested as the main danger.
Hannon Jnr must also go very close with Beacon (2.30) who looked a sprinter going places when running away with the listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown last time. The race fell into his lap with the front-runners going off too fast but there was much to like the way he travelled through the race and five furlongs looks his trip at present.
The 1m 6f handicap is a tough nut to crack with Continuum and Havana Cooler, back on fast ground, respected but preference is for Northern raider Saptapadi (3.40) who looked to be crying out for a step back up in trip when runner up at York over 12f last month. He has been raised 3lbs for that effort and is an infrequent winner but didn’t get the best of runs in this corresponding race 12 months ago from a 4lbs lower mark and is taken to attract each way support.
The 6f juvenile maiden is often won by a decent sort and the newcomers will have to be more than useful to challenge at least a couple with racecourse experience including the grey Dark Profit (4.15)who improved considerable on his racecourse debut when taking minor honours at Haydock last time. The colt cost E320,000 as a yearling and is certainly bred to win his fair share of races.
A low draw is deemed a positive in the mile handicap although there are sure to be any number of hard luck stories this week. I hope to see the Champion jockey elect Ryan Moore make plenty of use of the lightly-raced colt and it should be noted that the yard of Hugo Palmer won this corresponding race 12-months ago with Ascription who was also drawn in stall one on that occasion.
Despite disappointing on both starts this season Sequester (2.10) remains open to plenty of improvement and can return to the winners’ enclosure at Yarmouth for the in-form David Lanigan yard. The filly is a half-sister to the smart Albert Hall and it would be something of a surprise if there wasn’t more to come than this well-bred filly, bidding to build on a pair of fourth-place finishes at Lingfield and Beverley.
There’s jump racing from Perth and Worcester with the ever consistent Sheriff Hutton (8.50) taken to give the Martin Hill yard a winner at the latter. The selection was well-supported last time out at Newton Abbot seeking to take advantage of a stone better mark over fences but ultimately failing to see out the longer trip over the extended three and a quarter miles. He ran an excellent race when second over course and distance two starts back and should remain competitive, despite a 3lb rise.
For all the latest odds and more head to BetVictor.com
Be Lucky
