Some top class action from Goodwood this afternoon including the listed Foundation Stakes over 10f where Grandeur (3.50) can follow up last year's win in the corresponding race as long as the ground does not deteriorate too badly. The selection has more air miles than Judith Chalmers and was last seen finishing second at Belmont Park back in July over 12f.
Today's 10f trip is, arguably, his optimum distance and Ryan Moore, who rides today, has been in the saddle for his last three successes. Marsh Daisy would be a danger if the heavens opened and the Hughie Morrison filly could have a rewarding autumn if the rains ever arrive.
There will be plenty of future winners come out of the opening 7f maiden and the booking of Ryan Moore for Consortium suggests connections are hopeful of a big run. Marginal preference, however, is for Quick Defence (2.05) who shaped with promise on debut at Leicester (when ridden by Moore) and when the penny finally dropped he made decent late progress. That experience won't be lost on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained juvenile and the owner's retained jockey James Doyle takes over this afternoon.
The same Stoute-Doyle combination can follow up courtesy of Dissolution (2.40) in the 1m 1f maiden with the Newmarket trainer putting a visor on the colt for the first time. The selection has been a beaten favourite on his last couple of starts but he has obviously been showing plenty on the home gallops and this looks an ideal opportunity.
The Mark Johnston camp are in much better form than they were at the start of the month and Rainbow Rock (4.25) is surely better than he showed at Ascot last time having looked like a typical improver from the yard when runner up here over 10f on his previous start. Amanda Perrett likes to have winners at her local track and she saddles two with the classy Blue Surf looking the biggest danger.
There is a terrific jumps card at Perth and Robin's Command (4.10) can get back to winning ways having been run out of it close home last time from a 3lb lower mark over C&D. I think he'll get further but the hope is that chasing newcomer Goldie Horn will make it a decent test with top-weight Final Assault and Irish raider Crown Theatre considered bigger dangers in a hot little race.
The feature race is the Duke of Atholl Challenge Cup and I have it down as a match between Velator and Hollow Blue Sky (5.15) and preference for the latter is marginal. Nigel Twiston-Davies has a good record at this two-day meeting, winning this corresponding event back in 2011, and the selection looked to be an improved chaser back in the spring including when finishing runner up over C&D from a 5lb lower mark last time. Gordon Elliot's Raajih won the corresponding event from a 12lb lower mark last term but this looks a better renewal.
At Kempton there is an intriguing 11f handicap with Ragged Robin looking for a five-timer for David Lanigan but he is 26lb higher than when his winning run started and marginal preference is for Charlie Appleby's Devilment (8.50) who looked an unlucky loser at Wolverhampton last time from a 4lb lower mark after the bit slipped through his mouth. The selection is 2 from 2 at Kempton and the stable had six winners on Monday five of them at Kempton Park.
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