The feature race on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood is the Group 1 Goodwood Cup with Big Orange the Even money favourite at BetVictor. The Ascot Gold Cup winner is a worthy favourite but he is at his best on fast ground and I will be looking for an each way alternative.
Sheikhzayedroad (3.35) disappointed behind Big Orange in the Gold Cup but that was on ground faster than ideal and he was beaten just over a length by the favourite in the corresponding race last season. That too, was on fast ground and, at the time of writing, the ground is described as good ti soft with further showers forecast. The selection is 14/1 at BetVictor and I would be disappointed if he didn’t go close granted good to soft conditions and can reward each way support.
Seahenge was a cosy winner at Naas on debut for Aidan O’Brien and the colt must go close in the Vintage Stakes given the Ballydoyle handler has saddled the winner of this Gp 2 7f contest twice in the last three years. At 5/2 with BetVictor the Irish raider will have his supporters but preference is for Sir Michael Stoute‘s Newbury maiden winner Expert Eye (2.25) who quickened up nicely when scoring at the Berkshire track over six furlongs and could be a top class colt. The selection is 4/1 at BetVictor and the step up in trip should suit given he is out a well-bred winning miler.
Limato is the best horse in the race in a fascinating renewal of the 7f Gp 2 Lennox Stakes, but will he be able to put his best hoof forward given BetVictor’s 4/1 favourite needs fast ground? Librisa Breeze will find it difficult to win from stall 14 and the each way vote goes to Dream Castle (3.05) who has a favourable draw and could be overpriced at 10/1 with BetVictor.
The selection was not at his best when beaten three lengths in the Commonwealth Cup last time, but he was arguably drawn on the wrong side at Ascot and he has a good draw in stall five for one who likes to race prominently.
As long as there is a bit of cut in the ground Atletico (4.45) can follow up his recent Windsor success – backed as if defeat was out of the question – carrying a 6lbs penalty in the five furlong sprint. Trainer Roger Varian feels five furlongs and slow ground are the key to his five-year-old who was well on top at Windsor last time and should get the truly run race he needs at the minimum trip.
David O’Meara’s Lincoln Rocks (5.15) relished soft ground last time out at Pontefract, winning a listed race under stable jockey Danny Tudhope, and should go close in her bid to follow-up in the closing Fillies’ Handicap. The selection made all in West Yorkshire, and is well-drawn to try and do likewise on the downs.
There’s a good national hunt card at Perth where Chieftan’s Choice (6.20) is expected to make it second time lucky over fences after last month’s promising chase debut at Southwell. The selection jumped economically on his first run over the larger obstacles, and in receipt of 6lb from main market rival Chitu, is a confident selection to go one better under Brian Hughes.
The feature 3m Handicap Chase can go the way of Kim Bailey’s in-form Sonnofpresenting (7.30) under regular partner David Bass. The selection, as the name suggests is a son of Presenting and has been a revelation since switched to a sounder surface. He completed the hat-trick in good style last time out at Worcester and despite a 21lb rise by the handicapper remains progressive and open to further improvement.
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