There is listed action at Goodwood today where I hope Sky Hunter (3.45) can improve on his belated seasonal reappearance when third in the September Stakes on the all-weather at Kempton at the beginning of the month. His trainer suggested prior to the race that he would come on for that run, and the cut in the ground (given out at the time of writing as good to soft) will certainly help.
Anything Roger Varian saddles at the moment is respected and Mount Logan is a big danger after his fluent Doncaster win last time but might be better over slightly further than today's 10f trip and the Godolphin runner, who still holds an entry in the Champion Stakes, gets the vote.
The juvenile Conditions race looks a formality for Richard Hannon and Admiralty Arch on official figures but he could hardly be described as progressive and he is overlooked. Akkadian Empire and Accidental Agent have their chances, but title-chasing Jim Crowley (2/5 for the title at BetVictor) takes the mount on Sea Shack (2.35) and the colt can improve for the step up to 7f for the first time. William Knight could hardly have his string in better form.
I hope to see a Royal winner courtesy of Daphne (obviously Her Majesty is a Frasier fan) in the fillies' handicap over 1m 6f. The selection gave the impression she was ready for a return to this trip when staying over strongly over two furlongs shorter last time and the handicapper has left her on the same mark. Her seven-week absence is a slight cause for concern but she gets the nod for William Haggas; another yard in rude health at present.
Perth stage the first of their two-day September meeting and Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles a couple in the Novices' Handicap Chase including Northandsouth (2.55) who is fitted with a hood for his first start over the larger obstacles. The selection won his last race over timber back in May, has the scope to jump a fence and goes well fresh.
No Win No Fee (3.30) never took to his first-time blinkers at Worcester earlier in the month but has won with cheek-pieces applied in the past and should go close in the claimer. Marcus Antonius is not the safest of conveyances but has ability and if his young conditional can get him into a nice rhythm he can go close for Lucinda Russell. Gordon Elliot has landed this corresponding race twice in the last three years and his Shan Dun nan Gall should be checked for market confidence.
Adrian Heskin is the new first jockey to Tom George and the pair team up with Kilbree Kid in the feature 3m handicap chase; the horse did us a favour when scoring over C&D last time from a 6lbs lower mark but preference is for last year's winner By The Boardwalk (4.05) who is only 3lbs higher this time.
Trained by Kim Bailey the 8-year-old clearly goes well fresh, must go right-handed and connections are likely to have targeted the race for some time. It is a really hot race with many chances but By The Boardwalk to follow up last year's success for me.
As soon as Mad Money (5.45) won by 10 lengths at Worcester last time you would imagine trainer Tim Vaughan had this race in mind for his 10-year-old as he won despite jumping out to the right. This clock-wise track should suit and Richard Johnson keeps the ride. Do keep an eye out, however, for a market move for Queens Bay as some of her point-to-point form suggests she could be well treated off her current mark.
At Kempton this evening First Up (6.40) finished third at York under Silvestre De Sousa but Jim Crowley gets the leg up tonight and the colt is taken to break his maiden at the third attempt for Jeremy Noseda.
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