13:50 – 1m2f (1m1f197y) Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+)
A large field for a race that has been won exclusively by 4 and 5-year olds in the last decade. A high draw is by no means a barrier to success and the pace doesn’t look strong.
That should suit #5 YABHER who looked very good over this course and distance on seasonal debut, very much having the run of the race from the front but still impressing with his turn of foot. He bombed out next time under different tactics in a big field, high class handicap at York but looks the type to bounce back quickly and he should enjoy slightly slower ground here, provided the hustle and bustle of this big field isn’t too much for him.
#7 DIEGO EL QUESO looks to have a huge chance. He’s improved again this year, as you’d expect from a son of Blue Point, and looks capable of hitting new heights over this trip on turf as he progresses. He looked rather unlucky last time out, not getting a run at a key stage, but ran on in eye-catching fashion behind an unexposed and improving rival. He’s got a race of this nature in him off a mark of 100 but a wide draw for this hold up horse, with limited pace to run at, might prove an issue.
#9 QUAI DE BETHUNE was a winner at Royal Ascot last year, showing a fine turn-of-foot having travelled best throughout the contest. He wasn’t seen again until June of this year when shaping fairly well on soft ground at Epsom, and ran a lot better than it looked in the John Smith’s Cup at York last time, finding trouble at a key stage but rallying well and finishing with running left. He’s sitting on a big effort.
#10 NIGHT BREEZE has resumed his progress back on turf following a winless spell on synthetics and could run a bold race here. He travelled like the best horse at Epsom on his penultimate start but seemed to get outstayed over 12 furlongs on bad ground, and his run flattened out again last time out at Newmarket having made a strong move out wide. He was held up there and had to switch around the entire field to challenge, and he may be able to sit closer here over this shorter trip with stamina assured.
The well-bred #14 NOBLE HORIZON looks sure to head the market following a wide-margin victory at Leicester last time out. He’s up 10lbs and up in grade here, but he really impressed with how he quickened away off the front there and the time was very good. He’s got the right running style and right jockey to be perfectly positioned here and looks worthy of his position at the head of the market.
#16 AA AALI was Stakes class a few years ago and looks to be back on track based on his most recent win. He seemed to appreciate the drop in distance and addition of blinkers there, cruising through the race and storming clear when the gap arrived. A 5lb rise for that won’t be enough to stop him provided he has a bit of pace to run at and he’s got a huge shot here.
14:25 – 7f – Coral Vintage Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo)
#1 AL HUDAIBA is arguably the best juvenile colt around and I imagine he’d have been much shorter for this if he was more straightforward. This very quirky animal has already thrown one race away by jinking and unseating his rider, and somehow managed to win the Superlative Stakes last time out despite hanging badly left handed and jinking again. He’s the best horse in here, but it’s anybody’s guess how he’ll respond to first-time blinkers and this idiosyncratic track.
#4 PIKACHU is improving steadily despite being a maiden and doesn’t have much to find with #1 AL HUDAIBA on that Superlative Stakes run. He’s got the prime draw in 1 and probably wasn’t suited by racing away from the main action last time out.
#3 HAFFNER will have a line with that pair through Abraham Lincoln, who split those rivals at Newmarket. Haffner finished behind Abraham Lincoln on debut over an inadequate six furlong but got off the mark on the Superlative undercard on his second start. The time of his Maiden win was a fair bit slower than that race, but he should improve again and might get the dream trip on the shoulder here.
#2 DR RASCAL looks the speed. He overcame drama at the start last time – his jockey got bit by another horse and Dr Rascal himself got loose – to retain his unbeaten record at Ascot last time out but that form needs improving on.
#6 UNDISCOVERED is another who is unbeaten in two starts. He impressed me with how he made a big wide move at Salisbury last time out and really sustained it to the line, powering home through the final furlong. I think he’s very good and he may go well at big odds here.
15:00 – 7f – HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+)
This race is going to revolve around short-priced favourite #2 LAKE FOREST. A high-class performer, he looks to have been rejuvenated by a gelding operation over the winter, romping home at Haydock on his seasonal bow and looking unlucky not to finish closer than fifth in the Queen Elizabeth II at Royal Ascot last time out when having to come from well behind. The return to this intermediate distance should suit him perfectly and the only negative appears to be a lack of pace. He was caught out behind #7 WITNESS STAND in a bizarre renewal of this race last year, but shaped like much the best there with a big closing effort from an impossible position and he is the one to beat provided a conventional race and a midfield sit.
#5 QIRAT was another horse who was involved in a peculiar contest at this meeting last year, as he sprung a 150/1 shock in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes when ostensibly a pacemaker. He’s obviously struggled to hit those heights since but was only a couple of lengths behind #2 LAKE FOREST in the City Of York Stakes last August. He returned to winning ways in a first-time tongue-tie last time out when very much having the run of the race from the front, but he should be well spotted again here and has amongst the best form and ratings.
#3 MARVEL MAN looked good at Doncaster last season but his form on faster ground has generally not been as good. He’s drawn to get a good position, however, and returned with a nice run at Newcastle last time out.
#6 ROGUE DIPLOMAT is a very progressive sort for a yard that is flying right now. He won a handicap off 98 at Royal Ascot last time out but he’s in deeper waters here and will need a big career best.
Last year’s winner #7 WITNESS STAND has some very strong form, including when chasing home Queen Anne 1-2 Ten Bob Tony and More Thunder in two starts over the last year. He had a breathing operation earlier in the year and ran a great race at Epsom. I think you can forgive his last run when missing the kick around Chester and I expect him to run much better from the front here.
#1 HOLGUIN impressively ran down #7 WITNESS STAND in a Listed race at Chester last season and looks to be building to something better this year. He was well behind #2 LAKE FOREST on seasonal debut but stepped forward last time out and might go well at big odds, although stall 7 isn’t ideal.
15:35 – 2m –Â Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+)
This looks like a match race and a repeat of the Ascot Gold Cup, which produced a thrilling finish that saw #6 SCANDINAVIA take his record to 6/6 in cheekpieces. He was a winner at this track last season but there’s good reason to feel that #7 TRAWLERMAN can reverse the form over this shorter trip. He was coming into that race first-time up, racing closer to the inner and his stable weren’t in the best form at the time. That’s totally changed now, with the yard on fire, while the yard of #6 SCANDINAVIA are not running as you’d expect. This sharper track should also suit.
16:10 – 5f – Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)
#3 LEXINGTON BLITZ showed blazing speed in the Dash at Epsom last time out having won impressively over this course and distance two back. He’s improving and should give another bold show from the front, although a headwind will make life tougher.
#11 THE MAN was only just beaten off 1lb higher at York last year and hasn’t had much go right since. This includes last time out where he was slowly into stride before being rushed up, only to fade last on his first run for three months. That should have blown the cobwebs away and the new headgear applied here could see him run a big race for a yard that excels in this type of contest.
His stablemate #12 TWILIGHT CALLS has improved since the visor was applied and did extremely well to win last time out, quickening up in excellent fashion to win against the flow. A small rise for that win won’t be enough to stop him and he should get a perfect trip out of the wind off a strong pace here for the jockey of the moment Saffie Osborne.
He had yet another stablemate back in third at Newmarket last time. #16 RAPPER’S DELIGHT didn’t have as much cover as #12 TWILIGHT CALLS there, but was closer to the gallop and may once again be into the wind here.
#20 DYONISOS got a nice trip out of the wind last time out but really quickened up nicely when asked and is closely weighted with owner-mate #19 SEVEN QUESTIONS on their course and distance run from May. The latter has lost his way a little since so #20 DYONISOS may be able to reverse the form.
16:45 – 6f -British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (Class 2) (2yo)
#9 LAUNCH SEQUENCE had some cover from the wind on debut but shaped nicely and may get a similar trip here from a high draw. He caught the eye with his finishing effort there and can be expected to make a decent step forward for the experience.
#12 SAVAGE MARINER’s debut run received a big boost at Royal Ascot but he himself didn’t really perform, only able to finish nineteenth in the Norfolk Stakes. These calmer waters should suit and he’s well there on debut form.
Similar comments apply to #7 FINAL OBJECTIVE, who shaped nicely on debut and ran a fine race at Royal Ascot to finish seventh in the Coventry Stakes having briefly led over a furlong out. He did a lot wrong there, unseating his rider and racing too keenly into the wind, and has been swiftly gelded afterwards. I think he’s got plenty of talent and if that operation makes him more tractable we could have a nice horse on our hands. He sets the standard here and gets a nice jockey upgrade, while a more patient ride could also suit.
#13 SEVEN COUNCILS made his debut in a Stakes race and ran OK to finish seventh despite racing greenly. Improvement can be expected and Ryan Moore takes the ride, so he has some upside.
#1 AGRIPPA has improved steadily in two starts but needs another step forward in this better race.
#6 DORIGO is interesting at bigger prices. His debut was nice and has worked out well, and he ran a fine race in the Windsor Castle Stakes next time out to finish seventh having shown a really nice turn of foot to burst clear of his group before wilting a little late on. I think he kicked a little bit too soon there given the stiff nature of the track and could really benefit from being ridden with a bit more restraint at this sharp track.
17:20 – 1m – Bolney English Wine Fillies’ Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-95)
A big field here but best to focus on the improving sorts.
#7 ANNASTARZY certainly fits the bill having won her last three and I was really impressed with how she put the race to bed last time out. A 6lb rise for that shouldn’t be a problem and she’s got a lovely draw for her running style in stall 3. Her yard like a winner at this meeting and this filly looks the type to progress into Stakes class.
#11 CRAZEE ICON is another filly on the up having won her last two around the tight turns of Chester. She’s going the other way around this time out but this track should suit her still and she’s another whose ability to quicken should see her ascend the grades.
Handicap debutants #13 WID and #10 SI GRASS have claims, as do #2 NANINO NIYATI and #14 PROPOSAL, who both drop in trip having shown speed over further last time out.
17:55 – 6f – World Pool Bet With The tote EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-95)
This race has only been run five times but 3 or 4-year-olds have won each time.
#18 BINTARYANA heads the market for a good yard having won nicely in a good time at York on her most recent start. I don’t like her jockey for sprints, however, and that would be enough to put me off.
#16 ZEN DIVA only beat two rivals last time out but has won both of her starts this season and looks a sprinter on the up. She did well on the speed metrics on her most recent start and might prove even better in a bigger field with some pace and cover.
#8 MACHADADORP couldn’t quite land the hat-trick last time out but I really like the way she kept on into second despite chasing a strong pace into the wind. I don’t think she’ll mind dropping in distance.
#13 SECRET HISTORY represents a top yard and looks like a rapid improver. She cuts back from seven furlongs but this keen sort should relish a strong-run six and she really impressed on the splits last time out.
#15 ROGUE ATTRACTION should be ridden to finish here and has looked much improved for cheekpieces on her last two starts. She’s got a fine turn of foot and I think there’s plenty to come from her off a low weight with a good pace to run at.
