I was impressed by THE FLYING SEAGULL’s debut effort at Chester earlier in the month and I fancy him to go two places better at Goodwood today. Hugo Palmer had booked Oisin Murphy for the ride last time out, maybe a sign as to what connections thought of him prior to that run, who got a late tune out of him as he rattled home to snatch third from an unpromising position. It was a professional run considering it was his first effort and I expect him to step forward from that again today. WIlliam Buick is booked to do the steering, yet another noticeable booking, so I’m more than hopeful he can do the business.
If I was a handicapper I think I would have put MALLAVELLY on a higher mark than 80 based on her first two runs of the season. Bred to be better over today’s trip, she has performed admirably over 1m and 1m 2f in both starts this season at Newmarket. The first run can be marked up dramatically as she came from the wrong side of the track and still nearly won. She had a much tougher job on her second start when she bumped into a couple of smart fillies but a furlong out you would have put your money on the selection as she looked to be going the best. Both performances in my head would equal a performance higher than 80 so for that reason alone I think she has a superb chance off bottom weight today at Goodwood.
Goodwood 1.50 – The Flying Seagull
Goodwood 3.00 – Mallavelly
Saturday
I think THE CAMDEN COLT is dramatically overpriced in the opener at Goodwood tomorrow. Richard Hannon’s 3 year old has ran two fine races in competitive handicaps this season already and the bare form of those races would put him in with a leading chance here. Both runs have been over a mile but he has travelled strongly into both races so the drop back to 7f tomorrow shouldn’t pose too many problems and I can see him running a big race at 20/1.
It’s last chance saloon time with RABAAH tomorrow as he drops back to 5f at York. Charlie Hills‘ 4 year old has threatened on more than one occasion to be a bit better than handicapper but at present we are yet to see the results. He travelled like the best horse in the race at Newmarket on his reappearance but ultimately faded tamely and finished closer to last than first. The drop back to 5f and the benefit of that first run will hopefully bring him on further and if so then he must have a serious chance off 95.
I’m taking a bit of a punt on NOTHING TO SEA, who is one of my horses to follow this term, in the 3.30 at Haydock. Ralph Beckett’s young stayer wasn’t overfaced last year and that careful handling could be rewarded this year. His form has a strong look to it and it has been franked a few times since which gives me plenty of confidence he is well handicapped of 97. However, he returns having to carry top weight in a competitive Saturday handicap but I get the sense that Beckett would have lowered his sights had he had any concerns about fitness or handicap mark. At 5/1 he looks a solid each way play with James Doyle booked.
Goodwood 1.30 – The Camden Colt
York 2.45 – Rabaah
Haydock 3.30 – Nothing To Sea
