by Charlie McCann
The feature event at Goodwood this afternoon is the Group 2 Celebration Mile a race won by the classic generation five times in the last seven years and, despite carrying a 3lbs penalty, it is hard to look beyond the sole 3-y-old Kodi Bear (3.45) such was the ease of his recent Salisbury success.
A repetition of that effort would make him very hard to beat and we know he handles soft ground as he finished runner up to Belardo in the Dewhurst last autumn. He is 8/11 at BetVictor and I will be disappointed if he didn’t have too much toe for Cable Bay and Breton Rock.
Rawaki is interesting coming back off a break for Andrew Balding in the listed March Stakes but I am going to take a chance on Fun Mac (3.10) who was withdrawn down at the start at York last weekend when well fancied for the Ebor. Whatever was ailing the gelding was not serious and Hughie Morrison lets him take his chance. The 3-y-old filly Vive Ma Fille, in the Double Trigger Colours, should ensure there is a good pace on and she is a big danger in receipt of 17lbs from the selection.
In the 7f Handicap Amanda Perrett claims 5lbs off Czech It Out with leading apprentice Kieran Shoemark and I thought he was unlucky at Newbury last time behind Mullionheir. He has a decent draw in stall three, is a C&D winner and looks to be still improving given he has still only had ten career starts. He is 12/1 at BetVictor and can reward each way support.
I am slightly concerned to see Raw Impulse drop back in trip having been touched off at Newmarket over 10 furlongs last time. The winner has subsequently franked the form at York, a 3lb rise is fair but this furlong shorter trip is a concern although the hope is that jockey Oisin Murphy makes sure there is no hanging about.
I am going to give the filly Lucky Kristale (3.25) one last chance although I wouldn’t want any more showers to hit Newmarket for their listed Hopeful Stakes. The filly ran her best race of the season when second at York last time. She is visored for the first time this afternoon but really wouldn’t want the ground to ride any slower than good.
There are some exciting types in the two divisions of the 6f juvenile maiden including Fatherly Friend (4.00) who showed considerable promise at Haydock on debut and has been well entered-up in recent weeks. The rain has not allowed him to hit the track, however, and trainer Karl Burke would probably withdraw his American bred colt if the rains arrived.
Windsor stage their final evening meeting of the season and tonight’s highlight is the Gp 3 Winter Hill Stakes; Dermot Weld send Fascinating Rock over from Ireland and was last seen finishing a neck second to Al Kazeem in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh back in May. He carries a 4lbs penalty, however, has the worst of the draw and might just be vulnerable coming back from a three-month break.
The each way selection is Rembrandt Van J=Rijn (6.35) who has won his last four starts since being gelded and looked much better than a handicapper when winning at Haydock last time. He thoroughly deserves to take his chance in this exalted company.
At Cartmel Chebsey Beau (4.55) can take the Cartmel Cup for John Quinn; the selection won on the level at Catterick earlier in the month and leading conditional Dean Pratt takes off a valuable 7lbs.
Imperial Vic (4.25) has been given another break since pulling up mid-summer; he is good enough, and still young enough, to make a mockery of his current mark if in the mood but he has lost his way for his new yard. Let’s hope Harriet Bethell has found the key.
On Sunday at Goodwood Royal Toast (3.05) is proving one of the most frustrating horses in training but he can finally break his maiden in the 10f handicap given he should have the race run to suit. Jockey Cam Hardie might need to call on the gelding for his effort sooner than he did at Sandown last time but this looks a good opportunity.
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