NARNIYN looks like she may take quite a bit of beating. She was encountering a decent unbeaten run until it was brought to an end at the hands of Spiritjim and Noble Mission in the Group 1 Grand Prix Saint Cloud last time out. She wasn't beaten a million miles that day and a repeat performance will see her go mightily close. The return to racing against horses of her own sex may see her back in first place. Her trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre would hardly be sending her over to taking in the scenic Sussex Downs.
Venus De Milo will want the ground to be rattling fast and will have to step up massively on what she has shown on the racecourse, having only got Group 3's to her name. Mango Diva may not be good enough and will also want the rain to stay away whereas Sultanina will want the rain but could fall short in this company after only three runs. Like I said, this Group 1 would not take much winning and if any of the horses I mentioned won, it would not be the biggest shock ever. But to me, Narniyn could just have that touch of class required to win this and her fourth last time out behind Arc bound Spiritjim and Group 1 winner Noble Mission is easily the best form on offer. She is also ground versatile too which her adversaries are not.
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| Narniyn |
The other big race on the Goodwood card, the 32Red Cup or the Stewards Cup, is a far more competitive affair. Previous winners of this race suggests that a middle to high draw would be favoured and a run in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot is almost essential. Regarding the draw, the King George Stakes on Friday suggested that low numbers may be favoured, as the 1-2 finished on the far side of the track. This would indicate that analysing the draw may be a waste of time. However, I think it is wise to look at those who ran in the Wokingham this year. Therefore NINJAGO, ALBEN STAR and SEEKING MAGIC are the selections. They all ran decent races that day, Alben Star finishing an admirable fourth whilst Ninjago did all he could despite being stranded in the centre of the course. Seeking Magic was not beaten far either. Both Ninjago and Alben Star have placed in previous renewals of the race and Seeking Magic has won here so the course should pose no worries.
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| Ninjago |
The consolation race for those that didn't make the cut for the 32Red Cup is an equally competitive affair. A horse who could be well treated by the handicapper is EL VIENTO. He runs off a pound lower than when he came a 3 length seventh in this very race last year and another bold showing can be expected. SCHOOL FEES could be a contenders as well, with Richard Hughes looking an eye catching jockey booking.
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| El Viento |
The 2:40 is a handicap that has thrown up some decent sorts in years previous and this running looks no different. Perhaps the most interesting runner is Kings Fete, but in a competitive handicap such as this is, he is just too short a price for me. Especially when you factor in that all previous renewals of this race have been won by horses that have had 4 or more races. With Kings Fete only having three, this may not be his race. Instead, I am a fan of ADVENTURE SEEKER, who seemed to relish the step up in trip in his last race and DOUBLE BLUFF, who has bumped into a couple of smart looking types in his last two runs, Luca Cumani's Postponed and Ebor bound Pallasator. Pricewise fancy Oasis Fantasy is interesting although he carries fourteen pounds more than when he last one whilst Second Step may just come up short given that he too has only had three runs in his career thus far. Of course, if the aforementioned Kings Fete were to win this, and win it well, he would probably head to the St Leger as a major player.
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| Double Bluff behind Ebor hopeful Pallasator last time out |
Goodwood always host good nurseries and the one held on Saturday (5:00) looks no exception. SHAAKIS should love the ground and won what could prove to be an above average Brighton maiden. His opening mark of 74 looks very lenient based on what the other horses have done so far in that race. STEC won well under an enterprising ride by Jenny Powell last time and will have her aboard again. Her seven pound claim could be extremely valuable in this competitive event.
As for the final race of the festival, it is hard to see PETERKIN not running a good race. Every race he has run this year has been solid including his third in a hot Ascot handicap 6 days ago. Another repeat performance should see him go very close. FLYING BEAR is interesting in first time blinkers and he actually carries one pound less than when he won last time out as Cam Hardie takes the ride with his five pound claim.
There is also a decent looking card at Newmarket today where Enlace has been backed in a similar way to how J Wonder was backed in the same race (2:55) last year. She is well worth opposing in my opinion so PANDA SPIRIT, who ran in a warm race last time and could be well handicapped.
In the fillies' maiden (3:30), Rastanora probably deserves to be favourite but MAHSOOBA also ran a good opening race and importantly, her trainer has just started to hit a little bit of form again. STAY SILENT could also go well on debut, being a half sister to Silent Bullet who won his first two races.
And in the Summer Cup at Thirsk (3:40), MUHARRER is fancied to build on his recent Ayr win.
Enjoy your Saturday
Happy Punting!
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