Entries for next week’s Glorious Goodwood meeting came through earlier this afternoon with Ascot Gold Cup winner Big Orange now Even Money with BetVictor to follow-up in the Gp 1 Goodwood Cup after the defection of Ascot runner-up Order of St George. Michael Bell’s talented stayer won the race under Jamie Spencer 12 months ago and, after winning the Gold Cup since, will be very difficult to beat under Frankie Dettori on the opening day of Goodwood’s Glorious meeting.
The new revamped schedule sees the £300,000 Goodwood Cup and £300,000 Gp 2 Lennox Stakes both moving to the opening day and it will be fascinating to see if Limato runs in the latter. Henry Candy‘s sprinter has placed at the highest level in this year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes and July Cup but is arguably even better over an extra furlong and, should connections decided to run him, would be a big price at 6/1 with BetVictor.
Harry Bentley is likely to keep the ride on Limato and warms-up with Dundunah (3.50) at Yarmouth for trainer David O’Meara. The selection was an impressive winner of a 5f Handicap last time out at Haydock, and looks well-placed to defy a 6lb rise at the weights.
Another pilot with just one ride on the card is Frankie Dettori, who should complete the hat-trick aboard Harba (5.25) for trainer William Haggas. The daughter of Frankel carries a penalty for last week’s Sandown success and should oblige before being re-assessed by the handicapper.
Another filly respected under a penalty is Tom Dascombe’s Cheerfilly (7.35) under excellent 5lb apprentice Patrick Pilley. She did column readers a favour when making all last week at Leicester and looks well-placed by connections to do likewise for an in-form yard.
There’s a good card at Sandown where siblings Caponova and Capomento (3.05) are both in action for the Tom Dascombe yard, with the latter fancied to maintain her unbeaten record in the feature 7f Listed Stakes. She showed a smart turn of foot to make a winning debut earlier in the month at Ripon, and must go close under stable jockey Richard Kingscote.
An opening mark of 74 seems lenient for Paradise Cove (4.10) who is expected to go close on her handicap debut under William Buick. William Haggas’ filly shed the maiden tag at the third time of asking earlier in the month at Ayr and she remains open to further improvement.
Market support for The New Pharaoh (5.45) would be significant prior to the Doncaster opener under David Allan. Chris Wall’s son of Montjeu is a quirky sort but is undoubtedly talented and looked back to his best when beaten a nostril at the track earlier in the month. From a 3lb higher mark, he boasts obvious claims from the plumb draw in stall one.
Keep an eye out on the mile maiden at Leopardstown, where trainer Aidan O’Brien saddles three well-bred colts bidding to continue his excellent record in the race. The master of Ballydoyle has won the maiden with the likes of Douglas Macarthur, Viscount Nelson and triple-classic winner Camelot, and if the gallop reports about Frankel colt Nelson (6.25) are correct; he should take some beating on debut.
The Gp 3 Silver Flash Stakes is another dominated by Ballydoyle, winning five of the last eight renewals, and likely to go close with Happily. The well-bred filly, a full sister to dual Guineas winner Gleneagles, shed the maiden tag at the second time of asking and is respected stepping up in grade however, I was very taken with the maiden success of Dawn Delivers (6.55) and expect to give her freshman sire Dawn Approach a first black-type success.
Ballydoyle colts Cape Blanco, Gleneagles and Churchill have all won the Gp 3 Tyros Stakes en-route to classic success the season after and The Pentagon (7.30) looks another fascinating colt for connections. The son of Galileo, currently the well-backed 12/1 from 33s favourite with BetVictor for next year’s Derby, bolted-up in a Curragh maiden on Super Saturday and should further his progression under Ryan Moore.
For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com and follow @BetVictorRacing on Twitter.
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