The Goodwood Cup is today’s feature and the obvious starting point is with the Ascot Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris (3.10) despite the fact that he carries a 4lbs penalty for that Group One victory. The 4-year-old has been a revelation since being stepped up to marathon distances this term winning four of his last five starts and he was, arguably, unlucky when beaten at Sandown on his penultimate start. The selection is 7/2 with BetVictor and is I would be disappointed if he was out of the three even although the penalty does make things more difficult.
Big Orange is the best of these on official figures but he may have been flattered by his recent Gp 2 Newmarket success and he is unproven at the trip. Northumberland Plate winner Quest For More (7/1 at BetVictor) attempts to bridge the gap between handicap and group race company in the same way that Trip To Paris did (Chester Cup winner back in May).
In the opener I am disappointed to see Lord Ben Stack declared a non-runner yesterday by trainer Kevin Ryan and the vote goes to Godolphin’s Racing History (2.00). The selection has won two of three career starts including when outclassing his field at Chester last time from a 6lbs lower mark.
A full brother to Basem and Gp 1 winner Farhh the selection wouldn’t want the ground to dry out too much but his entry in the Gp 2 Gt Voltigeur Stakes at York next month suggests connections think he might be a bit better than a decent handicapper in time.
The Hannon family have saddled the winner of the Richmond Stakes five times in the last seven years and are represented by Log Out Island this afternoon. The colt disappointed in Ireland last time when stepped up to 6f for the first time and others are preferred.
Gosden’s Shalaa carries a penalty for his July Stakes success and preference is for Aidan O’Brien’s Air Force Blue (2.35) who has not been seen since finishing runner up in the Coventry Stakes last month. That form has taken a few knocks since but the selection travelled like a class act for much of the race and is entitled to come on for the experience. The Irish raider is 11/4 at BetVictor behind Shalaa who is the 9/4 market leader.
The Lillie Langtry Stakes is the final Group race on the card and stepped back up to 1m 6f Arabian Comet (3.45) can reverse recent Newmarket running with Jordan Princess who was given a canny ride from the front over two furlongs shorter on the July course. Arabian Comet was finishing best of all having been outpaced when the pace lifted and Pat Cosgrave would appreciate an end-to-end gallop for his filly who finished runner up in the corresponding race 12 months ago.
The Galway Hurdle is the feature race across the Irish Sea and I hope Quick Jack (4.45) can go one better than when runner up on the level to the subsequent Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris in the Chester Cup last time. Denis O’Regan takes the ride and he must have every chance carrying 10st 4lbs in a top class renewal of this famous contest.
Earlier in the card Rock The World (2.20) is a confident selection in the Novice Chase with Barry Geraghty taking the mount. The selection has looked a natural in both starts over fences despite finishing behind The Game Changer last time. This represents a step up in class but I think Jessica Harrington’s 7-y-old is up to the task.
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